(561) 375-9500
Bicycling can be a dangerous endeavor. Unfortunately, bicycles are still not given enough respect on public right of ways to be truly safe. At best, there may be a small designated area on the side of the road, called a bike lane, to provide space for bikers. When cars are whizzing by bicyclists at 30 to 50 miles an hour, however, it only takes a momentary lapse of a driver’s attention to cause certain injuries.
The unique factors of Boynton Beach bicycle accidents can influence a personal injury claim. Our experienced bike attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo could help an injured rider explain those factors to a jury and work towards adequate compensation.
Classifying Bicycles
Bicycles are classified depending on where they are being operated. When a bicycle is traveling in the bike lane, it operates more like a motor vehicle in the eyes of the law. Accordingly, a rider may not swerve into traffic, run a red light, or ignore a stop sign.
When a bicyclist is on the sidewalk or crosswalk, they are more like a pedestrian, with key distinctions. Bicycles are generally low-speed vehicles, usually traveling less than 25 miles an hour. Even so, they move much faster than a pedestrian would on the same stretch of sidewalk. Pedestrians can stop quickly, but bicyclists may need distance to stop, which makes them potentially dangerous. If someone pulls out quickly from a driveway or side street without looking, the results can be fatal for a bike rider.
The distinction between bicyclists on roads and crosswalks is one of the unique factors of Boynton Beach bicycle accidents.
Common Injuries Stemming from Bicycle Accidents in Boynton beach
Bicyclists can suffer several different types of injuries in a bicycle accident, depending on how the accident occurs. When a person rides along the side of the road in a bike lane and is hit by a vehicle, they may fall into the road, hit the curb, or be thrown onto the grass. The spot where the person lands plays a large part in their injuries. A struck bicyclist may sustain head injuries, broken bones, or severe road rash depending on where they land.
When someone is hit broadside or clipped by a passing car, they can suffer a broken arm or leg from the direct impact, or chest trauma from the impact with the handlebars. There are a variety of injuries possible after a bicycle accident, from relatively minor injuries such as bruising, to much worse injuries including broken bones, head trauma, or paralysis.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Could Help
When a person is driving in a car, thousands of pounds of steel surround them. The vehicle has seatbelts, airbags, and other protective equipment and devices to help reduce a car occupant’s injuries in the event of a crash. A person riding a bicycle has only a 20-pound frame with wheels that provides no protection. There is no safety protection other than a helmet.
An experienced personal injury lawyer may understand the unique factors of Boynton Beach bicycle accidents, including the potential for serious, life-threatening injuries. If you have been injured in a bike crash caused by a negligent driver, reach out to our attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo for information on your legal right to compensation.
