Experienced Birmingham Bicycle Accident Lawyer

The Dangers of Bicycle accidents in Birmingham: Why You Might need to seek bicycle accident attorneys

Compared to driving a car at high speeds in congested traffic conditions, you would think that driving a bicycle would pose relatively little threat to your well-being. To assume that you will never get in a bicycle accident, though, would be ignoring reality. More bike accidents happen each year than you might think, and taking the proper safety precautions can help you avoid a severe bike accident in the future.

According to Alabama Public Health, in 2018, there were 209 bicycle crashes. 9 of those crashes were fatal, and about half of those crashes were caused by the actions of the cyclist. Additionally, despite bicycle helmets being required for those 16 and younger, according to the Alabama code, only 35% of cyclists wear helmets. It seems that, in addition to educating drivers about sharing the road with cyclists, bicycle riders need to remember to protect themselves, as well.

Helmets arWhether you're an avid biker who hits the streets every morning before work or you ride casually on the weekend with your children, you never know when tragedy might strike. When you hope on a bike, you feel a real sense of freedom from flying at high-speeds through the long, open-road. The adrenaline pumping through your veins as you round corners, climb upwards, or speed downhill is enticing. Cycling allows you to explore new spaces, join a community of people with a shared hobby, and can improve your mental well-being. But, suddenly, that freedom can be taken from you with an unexpected bicycle accident, impacting the way you feel about your beloved hobby and, possibly, injuring you for the long-term.

A driver could simply be distracted by their phone and swerve into the bike lane, striking your bike and giving you a head injury; or, a driver overestimates a turn, crushing a wheel of your bike and causing serious bodily harm. Birmingham consists of an active and vibrant cycling community. Many roads are expanding to include bike lanes and there are plenty of natural spaces to enjoy time on your bike. However, as with the norms of the road, not all drivers in Birmingham respect your space on the road as much as they should.

Go cycling in Birmingham for any amount of time, and you will see drivers who drive too close or pass too quickly, drivers who pay more attention to their cell phones than the task at hand, or even just new, inexperienced drivers who have yet to learn all the rules of the road. When a driver’s contributory negligence causes you to get in a bicycle accident, you have to be ready to take action. With the help of a Birmingham bicycle accident lawyer from Wettermark Keith, you’ll be able to get justice for yourself and compensation to help you on your recovery journey.

e extremely effective against head injury, and nearly ¾ of all fatal bicycle crashes involve some type of head injury, so wearing your helmet is a powerful first step. Secondly, if you’re driving in a low-visibility climate or time of day, wear reflectors and bright clothing to help other vehicles on the road see you. Take special caution if driving along an urban route, as most bicycle crashes occur in those settings. It’s vitally important to stay alert, properly indicate your turns, and follow traffic laws. Doing these things will help you identify situations that may be potentially dangerous for you as a cyclist, allowing you to avoid a serious bicycle crash.

Even with all of these considerations in mind, crashes still occur. If you are ever injured in a bicycle accident, call our team of professional Birmingham bicycle accident lawyers. We’re ready to help you sort out your legal options, prove your case, and get the compensation you deserve.