Not Paying Attention
A driver who is distracted while behind the wheel may not be paying full attention to the road, meaning he or she does not see the bicyclist until it is too late to avoid a collision.
It does not really matter if the driver was texting and driving, was eating, or was being distracted by other people’s behavior inside the car. His or her inability to focus on the road is a contributing factor to the collision and your injuries.
Often, if the driver is not paying attention to the roadway, he or she will not even slow the car before hitting the bicyclist, which increases the seriousness of the injuries that the bicyclist could be facing.
Drunken Driving
A motor vehicle operator who has been using drugs or drinking before climbing behind the wheel can lose his or her ability to judge distance or to make split-second decisions. This causes an inability to avoid hazards. It also may cause slow decision-making, which could leave the driver unable to avoid hitting a bicyclist.
When a driver has been drinking, he or she may be tempted to leave the scene of a collision with a bike rider, hoping to avoid trouble, which violates Vehicle & Traffic (VAT) §600. If this occurs in your case, it is important that you try to remember as much as you can about the vehicle that hit you, to help police officers track down the driver.
Intersections
Some of the most dangerous places for bicyclists are intersections. Drivers may only be on the lookout for other vehicles at the intersection, especially when making a left turn, meaning they might ignore bicyclists, causing a collision.
Unsafe Lane Change
If a driver drifts out of his or her lane, this could cause a bicyclist driving near the vehicle to lose control. Even if the driver does not hit the cyclist, the driver could be found liable for the cyclist’s injuries, because the driver’s actions forced the bicyclist to leave the roadway.
Contact the Office of a Bicycle Accident Attorney to Learn More
We work on a contingency fee basis when taking on personal injury cases. This means you do not need to pay us upfront when you hire us. Instead, our payment comes out of the settlement amount once the case reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
As experienced Brookhaven bicycle accident lawyers, we have unfortunately seen the effects of car collisions with bicycle riders, leaving them unable to work and facing years of mounting medical bills. We take pride in fighting for your rights to seek compensation, especially when you did nothing wrong. Even if you may be partially at fault for the collision, we will assess the facts to determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
For a free case review, call Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900, we can also assist clients in Spanish. Should you choose to hire us, our team is ready to begin working on your case immediately.
