Bicycle accidents that involve collisions with vehicles on the road can lead to severe outcomes. Injuries, property damages, and liability are all things people might struggle with after one of these accidents. Being aware of the common causes of bicycle accidents can be helpful if you decide to file a personal injury claim. Talk to a Kansas City personal injury lawyer if you are interested in taking this step.
How Missouri Bicycle Accidents Happen
Bicycle accidents can happen in multiple ways. Side collisions, rear-end collisions, front-end collisions, and angled collisions are all possible. All it takes is one mistake made by the driver or bicyclist to cause a collision. In many cases, the bicyclist or driver failed to see each other until it was too late. Other factors play a role in causing a bicycle accident, also.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
- Riding in the dark. Riding a bike at night can make it harder to see where other drivers are and potential changes on the road. Diminished vision at night can also make it challenging to accurately judge the distance between objects.
- Failing to yield. Failing to yield on the part of the bicyclist or the driver can lead to collisions. Anyone who fails to yield at a yield sign, in a parking lot, at certain turns, and at intersections could increase the chances of an accident. The inaccuracy of predicting what other drivers will do is what makes yielding so vital for avoiding collisions.
- Driver or bicyclist inattention. Inattention for bicyclists might involve distractions while riding the bike, not checking surrounding areas when making certain maneuvers, and wearing headphones that block outside noise. Driver inattention can look like distracted driving such as texting, drugged driving, and failing to check blind spots.
- Poor road conditions. Poor road conditions like potholes and uneven roads can make bicyclists lose control.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
The most important first step to take after a bicycle accident is to make sure everyone is safe from harm. Call 911 if anyone is injured. Collecting evidence at the scene of the accident is enormously helpful when filing a personal injury claim for compensation. This means taking pictures, collecting basic information about the driver, and writing down details about the accident.
Document your compensatory damages to help calculate how much compensation you need, including medical bills, lost wages, damages to your bicycle, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. To be eligible for compensation for these damages, you must prove negligence.
Try contacting a Kansas City bike accident lawyer to explore what other legal steps to take. An experienced lawyer can help you assess your legal options to maximize your compensation.