Maryland Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Learning to ride a bike is a childhood rite of passage. Now, across the United States, biking is often more than recreation; it is a fast, cheap, and environmentally friendly way to commute to and from work.
One downside when it comes to biking for transportation is that it comes with some serious risks. Sharing the road with cars puts those on bikes at a disadvantage. Any crash between a person on a bike and one in a vehicle will not end well for the cyclist.
Cycling safety advocates point out that there are ways to make cities more bike-friendly. Additionally, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) states that improving infrastructure can encourage more people to bike instead of taking a car to their destinations. Bike lanes that separate cyclists from vehicle traffic can help reduce the risk of bike crash injuries and deaths.
While many cities, including Baltimore, are taking part in Vision Zero programs aimed at eliminating bike and pedestrian deaths, about 800 people are still dying every year in crashes involving bicycles and motor vehicles. Of course, thousands more suffer severe injuries in these crashes.
If you suffered injuries in a bike crash caused by another person, you could be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. The dedicated Maryland bicycle accident attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP understand what is at stake for you and your family and are ready to fight on your behalf. Contact us at 410-769-5400 to discuss your claim.
What Are the Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Maryland?
Drivers often fail to see people on bikes, so for cyclists, it is important to wear bright colors, use lights if biking after dark, and follow the rules of the road so that you do not catch drivers off-guard. However, there is only so much that a cyclist can do to protect themselves if people in cars are not cautious. Speeding and distracted driving can lead to tragic results when a driver does not notice a cyclist quickly enough. When it comes to vulnerable road users such as cyclists, the speed of the car need not be particularly high in order for the cyclist to suffer life-threatening injuries.
Certain types of crashes commonly cause injuries to cyclists. When cars and other vehicles are turning, they create risks for people on bikes. In the case of a right turn, a driver will often pass a cyclist and then make a right turn, which puts them into the path of the oncoming cyclist. Left turns create a similar problem because drivers may not notice a cyclist who is approaching from the opposite direction. In either case, the problem is that the driver may not be paying attention or may completely underestimate the speed at which the cyclist it traveling.
Drivers also hit cyclists when they leave a driveway or an alley. Such crashes can even impact a cyclist who is on the sidewalk at the time.
Drivers getting out of their cars also create hazards for cyclists. In these cases, the cyclist may be traveling down the street when a person opens the car door and the bike collides with that door. Bicycles can travel at high speeds, which means that such an impact can cause serious injuries. However, the cyclist can also fall into traffic, making matters even worse.
How to Prove a Driver is Liable After a Maryland Bike Crash
Personal injury cases, such as those involving bike crashes, are based on the concept of negligence. To show that a person is liable based on negligence, the cyclist must indicate that the driver owed him or her a duty, breached that duty, and that the breach of duty caused the injuries that the individual suffered and for which the cyclist is seeking compensation.
Everyone using the road owes the other people on the road a duty to exercise reasonable caution. A breach of duty will occur when a driver is speeding, changes lanes without looking, or takes some other action that puts others at risk. If a driver’s actions do cause a personal injury, then the driver may be liable.
What Damages Can I Collect in Maryland?
If you suffered injuries in a crash with a car that occurred while you were biking in Maryland, you might have a claim against the driver. A successful case will include damages that will cover medical costs, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. In tragic circumstances where a cyclist is killed, the family may have a wrongful death claim against the driver and can collect damages, including for lost income and pain and suffering.
Hiring a Maryland Bike Crash Attorney
If you were hurt while biking in Maryland, do not hesitate to reach out to an attorney. At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, we are ready to represent you and help you recover the compensation you need to help you recover and move past the devastating impacts of the crash. Call us at 410-769-5400 to speak to one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
