Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer

In 2014, 726 bicyclists were killed in accidents with vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bicycle accident injury lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. understand how serious the physical, emotional, and financial injuries can be. They have more than 65 years of collective experience representing people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. They may be able to help you obtain compensation for:

Call the bicycle accident lawyers Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at 205-933-1500 to find out how they can help you.

Common Types of Bicyclist Accident Injuries

People can suffer from all types of injuries when they’re hit by a car while on their bike. Some common injuries include:

• Cuts and bruises: Some bicyclists are able to walk away from an incident with only cuts and bruises, which can be a miracle. The rider should always seek medical attention right away to ensure there’s no serious but hidden injury. Medical care at home is often necessary to prevent infection and scaring.
• Road rash: Road rash involves abrasions caused by coming into contact with pavement or gravel. It can be diagnosed in three levels. The mildest, first-degree road rash, includes abrasions that cause the skin to be red and irritated, but does not necessarily break the skin. Second degree road rash is more serious, involving cuts through the first layer of skin, swelling, and bleeding. Third-degree road rash is serious because the rider incurs lacerations through multiple layers of skin. Fat, muscles, and bone might be visible. Immediate medical attention is necessary to reduce scaring, the chance of deformities, and possible infection.
• Broken bones: Many cyclists suffer from broken bones when they are involved in an accident, such as fractured wrists, arms, feet, legs, and hips. Fractures can require surgery, months of physical therapy, time away from work, or even lead to long-term disability or disfigurement.
• Traumatic brain injury: One of the most serious injuries due to bicycle-vehicle accidents is head or traumatic brain injuries. A concussion, which is a minor TBI, can cause short-term memory issues, confusion, headaches, and fatigue. Moderate to severe TBIs bring with them much more serious consequences, including personality and mental faculty changes. Severe TBIs may even result in coma and death.

Why Helmet Use is Important

Birmingham only requires bicyclists to wear helmets if they are 16 years old or younger. However, wearing a helmet is smart for anyone riding a bike. Wearing a helmet can save you from a head injury or lessen the damage of an injury. It could mean the difference between a severe TBI and a concussion.

Whether you wore a helmet may also factor into a personal injury case if you decided to sue the person who caused your accident. Alabama is a pure contributory negligence law state, which means if the judge or jury finds you contributed in any way to the accident or your injuries, then you may not be able to win damages from the other party. The court may find that you also contributed to your injuries by not wearing a helmet and would bar you from recovery.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, call the Birmingham vehicle injury lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. today to find out who may be responsible for your injuries.

Personal Injury Claims

If you were hit by a car while on your bike, the driver may be liable for your injuries through a personal injury claim. In this type of case, you must prove to the court that the driver’s negligent behavior behind the wheel caused the accident and your injuries.

Because drivers typically have large insurance companies on their sides, it can be difficult to prove that he or she is responsible. The insurance company may try to settle your claim for a low amount so you’ll go away. Contact Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. to fight for your rights after a bicycle-vehicle accident.

Call an Birmingham Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer with Belt, Bruner & Barnett Today

Being injured while riding your bike isn’t only scary, it’s mentally and physically stressful. Instead of enjoying the roads or paths, you must focus on healing. In extreme cases, you might be looking at months of recovery or never getting onto a bike again.

When you’re hit by a car, it’s important to hold responsible the person who caused the accident. The attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. will help you do just that. They have decades of collective experience representing people in personal injury claims. They’ve gotten settlements and verdicts for millions of dollars in numerous personal injury cases, including more than $5 million in 11 different cases.

Call the bicycle accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at 205-933-1500 for a free consultation.