With warm weather on the way, many people will be riding bicycles outside. We at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LLP are here to help if you are injured in a cycling accident.
Apply these cycling tips for a safer riding experience:
- Wear a helmet! Helmets help protect your head from trauma, including brain injuries, facial injuries, and even fatal injuries, when you fall off your bike.
- Check your bike for roadworthiness! Make sure to bring your bike to a professional cycling shop at the beginning of the season to perform a safety inspection and tune-up. Riding with tires that are not properly inflated, or with brakes and gears that regularly jam, can put yourself and others in danger while cycling.
- Use reflective gear! If you are cycling after dark or before sunrise, make sure you are suitably dressed so that other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can see you. Reflective gear does not just include vests, but also includes arm bands, tape, mirrors, headlamps, and other creative solutions. You should also consider installing lights onto your bike for better visibility. Wear bright coloured clothing to make yourself more visible to motorists.
- Stay in your lane! Stick to the distinguished bike paths, if available, while cycling. They are for the exclusive use of cyclists as marked by signage and should be respected by motor vehicles and cyclists alike. In general, make sure to keep a safe distance away from traffic and abide by all signs, traffic lights, road markings, signals, and laws.
If you are a cyclist who has been struck by a motor vehicle, make sure to call the police and document as much as you can about the accident. It is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to help you protect your rights. You may be able to sue the driver of the motor vehicle for negligence. Depending on the circumstances (for example, whether you wore a helmet, were under the influence, did not keep proper watch, etc.), you may be contributorily negligent, which will impact your access to full recovery.
If you or someone you know is injured in a cycling accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact our team at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LLP for a free consultation.