Types of Bicycle Injuries in Orange County
Legal Advice for Newport Bicyclists
Orange County is home to multiple charming and unique neighborhoods – many of which host a their very own passionate bicyclist community. Whether you are biking along Huntington Beach or through downtown Santa Ana, you should feel safe getting to your next destination. However, bicyclists have a higher risk of injury or death than motor vehicle occupants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although cyclists account for only 1% of all trips taken in the U.S., they suffered nearly 467,000 injuries and 1,000 fatalities in a single recent year. Many bicycle accidents are caused by driver negligence, resulting in injuries that range in severity from minor cuts and bruises to fatal head trauma.
Whatever injuries you sustained in a bicycle accident, you do not deserve to pay for someone else’s actions. Instead, contact the personal injury attorneys at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie by calling (949) 752-7474 to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced legal team has the experience to properly negotiate a fair settlement to help you recover from your injuries.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Head injuries occur in 22% to 47% of all bicycle accidents involving injuries, often as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle, as reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The resulting trauma is responsible for more than 60% of bicycle-related fatalities and the majority of long-term disabilities. In addition to head injuries, bicycle accidents can cause trauma to the arms and legs, followed by the face, abdomen, chest, and neck. The following are the most common traumatic injuries suffered by bicyclists, according to the AAFP:
- Head: Skull fractures, concussions, brain contusions, intracranial hemorrhages
- Face/eyes: Facial fractures, dental fractures, contusions, foreign bodies in the cornea
- Musculoskeletal: Bone fractures, dislocations, and strains
- Chest: Fractured ribs, damage to the lungs
- Abdomen: Ruptured spleen, laceration of the liver, contusion of the kidneys, trauma to the pancreas, blood vessel perforation, contusion of the small or large intestine, rupture, traumatic hernia
- Genitourinary: Pelvic fractures, trauma to the vulva, urethra, or rectum
- Skin and soft tissue: Road rash, lacerations, and contusions
How Do Negligent Drivers Injure Bicyclists?
California laws require drivers to treat bicyclists with the same care as any other driver on the road, but they often neglect their duty for their own convenience. These negligent drivers can cause collisions with bicyclists in several different ways, including:
- Dooring: A driver (or passenger) in a parked car opens a car door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, causing a serious crash.
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals: Many bicyclists are hit by drivers who ran a red light, ignored a yield sign, or failed to stop at a stop sign.
- Failure to see the cyclist in the roadway: Drivers who are distracted or simply inattentive may fail to register the bicycle in the roadway before it is too late, such as during a lane change.
- Speeding: A driver traveling at an excessive speed may not have time to stop to avoid hitting a cyclist.
- Impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs frequently causes injury to others on the roadways, including bicyclists.
Compensation in a Newport Bicycle Accident
The trauma from a bicycle accident is often severe, whether it’s a broken collar bone or nerve damage in your hands. An accident with a negligent driver can result in extensive medical bills and rehabilitation, in addition to weeks to months off work. Depending on your specific circumstances, damages you may be entitled to claim may include:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disfigurement or loss of a limb or limbs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (right of association and companionship of a spouse)
Why You Need an Attorney
A bike accident may leave you with a variety of painful, expensive, and sometimes life-changing injuries. If your injuries were caused by a negligent driver, an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the road to recovery, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.
Our Orange County bike accident attorneys at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have more than 40 years of experience effectively pursuing compensation for injured people. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We offer communication specific to your needs, not ours, and will keep you informed on the status of your case in real-time. Call us at (949) 752-7474 to schedule a free consultation.
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You were wonderful throughout my case. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the process so that I could feel comfortable. When I was hurt, I really did not know where to turn and Suzanne was comforting and knowledgable. Thanks again for all you did.
- H.P.