Cleveland Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Trust our Ohio accident attorneys
Bicycles have increasingly become a popular way to get around Cleveland and other parts of Ohio. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents also sometimes occur. And when they do, cyclists often sustain serious injuries, especially if someone driving a car, truck or another vehicle crashes into a cyclist.
After a bicycle accident, injury victims might need extensive medical care, including surgery or months of physical rehabilitation. And during that time, many injury victims cannot work while they’re recovering from their accident. During that time, bills can add up fast. That’s why it’s critical that you have someone on your side, looking out for your best interests.
The Ohio bicycle accident attorneys at Merriman Legal, LLC, have decades of experience handling such complex cases. We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask and how to transform that information into a strong legal case.
Why bicycle accidents happen
Bicycle accidents caused by drivers happen for many different reasons. Often, many drivers claim they simply didn’t see the cyclist and accidently crashed into them. But that doesn’t excuse drivers from their actions.
In addition, in many cases, drivers didn’t see cyclists because they were doing something they shouldn’t have been doing while driving. Often, it’s texting while driving. But drivers also cause bicycle accidents for many other reasons, including:
- Drunk driving
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Reckless driving (including tailgating)
Whatever the cause of your bicycle accident, we can help.
What to do after a bicycle accident
In the aftermath of a bicycle accident, you may feel lost and wonder what to do. Taking care of your health should be your first priority before anything else. Here are some other steps to take after being involved in a bicycle accident:
- Find a safe place: If the scene of the crash is on a busy street in Cleveland or another nearby community, get to a safe place then assess your injuries.
- Call for help: Contact the police to report the accident right away.
- Ask for ambulance: If you were hit by a car on your bike, odds are you sustained a serious injury. And even if you feel fine, make sure you have a medical professional examine you right away. Many bicycle accident injuries might not be visible.
- Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance details with the driver. Refrain from sharing details and participating in conversation.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Report the incident: Inform your insurance company about the accident. If you are hesitant to speak with the insurance company, consider consulting with a lawyer who can speak with them on your behalf.
- Seek medical evaluation: Even if you were already examined by an emergency medical technician (EMT) or an emergency room doctor in Cleveland, get a second medical opinion. Many times, many injuries sustained by cyclists hit by a car take time to develop. Don’t take chances with your health. Also, by documenting your injury, you will have evidence in support of any future bicycle injury claims.
- Contact a lawyer: An experienced attorney can help protect your rights, assess potential legal options, and seek the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
Common bicycle accident injuries
The severity of a bike injury often depends on the specific details of each bicycle crash. A cyclist who was completely knocked of their bike may suffer a serious injury that requires surgery. Another individual who was cycling and involved in a minor crash may only suffer bruising after a bicycle accident. The most common injuries cyclist may suffer after a bicycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other head injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Damage to limbs (leg injury, arm injury, etc.)
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Dislocations
Dooring accidents
In some bicycle accidents, cyclists are hit by cars who don’t see them or fail to yield, but another type of bicycle accident is dooring. Dooring bicycle accidents occur when a person inside a parked or stopped car opens the door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. This results in a collision between the cyclist and the car door. These accidents highlight the importance of drivers and passengers checking for cyclists before opening their car door to prevent such accidents.
Understanding your rights
Bicycle accidents can be complicated. That’s because the drivers who cause these crashes often deny doing anything wrong. And even if they do confess that they caused your accident, injury victims often face an obstacle for obtaining compensation once they start dealing with insurance companies.
After your bicycle accident, the other driver’s insurance company will likely make a low-ball offer that doesn’t even come close to covering the true cost of your accident-related expenses. The insurance company will also likely say that’s their best and final offer.
Don’t believe them. In many cases, many injury victims can – and should – demand more money for their accident. That’s why you need our legal team on your side, fighting for your rights. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies. And if they refuse to cooperate, we’re prepared to take them to court. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today.
