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Bicycle riders are at an increased risk of being injured in an accident. Aside from helmets—when they are in use—cyclists have almost no structural protection in a bike accident. If a bike rider is struck by a car, the results can be catastrophic injury or even death.
In an accident between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, serious injuries can occur. Severe head injury, or traumatic brain injury, is one of the most common types of injuries sustained in a bike accident. Other common injuries include internal injuries, trunk injuries, and broken bones.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may benefit from contacting a personal injury lawyer in who can fight for the compensation you deserve. McCoy & Hiestand, PLC has a team of experienced attorneys who are equipped to help victims of bicycle accidents recover their losses.
Bike Accident Statistics in Louisville
According to data, there is an average of 155 bicyclist-motorist crashes each year in the city.
Are there roads and intersections that are more dangerous than others? According to statistics, the following areas are where most bicycle accidents occur in Louisville:
- Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road
- Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive
- Broadway and Second Street
- South Jackson Street and East Broadway
- Taylor Boulevard and Oleanda Avenue
Ironically, most of these bicycle accidents in Louisville occurred on dry roadways and on clear or cloudy days. They also happened during daylight hours between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Of course, these accidents are only those occurring in Louisville. According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1,084 bicyclists were killed nationwide in collisions with motor vehicles in 2022. This number is the highest number ever recorded for bicyclist fatalities. Most bicyclist deaths in 2022 were among people 20 years old and older.
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What are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Louisville, Kentucky?
One of the greatest risks to cyclists is inattentive motor vehicle drivers. In a majority of motor vehicle crashes involving bikes, the bicyclist was riding straight ahead just prior to the crash. Nearly half of motor vehicles in accidents were likewise driving straight ahead. However, in roughly 30 percent of crashes, a motorist was making either a left turn or a right turn at an intersection and either failed to notice or failed to yield to the bicyclist.
There are four key factors in causing or contributing to bicycle accidents:
- Most crashes are occurring at intersections along major arterials
- Motorists are not seeing or yielding to bicyclists
- Bicyclists are failing to yield right-of-way
- Bicyclist inattention
- Distraction—by both bicyclists and motorists—is a key factor in bicycle accidents but a Louisville personal injury lawyer can help you gain financial compensation for the negligence of the drivers.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that 80 percent of all bicyclist-motorist accidents occur under one of the following six conditions:
- Motorists turn/merge into bicyclist’s path
- Motorist overtaking the bicyclist
- Bicyclists turn/merge into motorist’s path
- Motorist failed to yield to bicyclist
- Bicyclist failed to yield at an intersection
- Bicyclist failed to yield midblock
Cycling can be a great benefit to health and the environment; however, there are certain risks involved because of the small profile of a bicycle and the lack of physical protection for a cyclist in an accident. For those injured in bicycle accidents, financial compensation may be available from liable parties through appropriate litigation with the help of a Louisville bike accident lawyer.
Building a Strong Case
If you’re involved in an accident with your bike and another vehicle, you want to be proactive with gathering evidence to help support your case. Consider the following:
Police Report
No matter how badly you’ve been injured, it is important to call for the police to report to the scene so they can create an official police report. That report can detail the accident, injuries, and damages. It can also help support your version of events.
Record Accident Details
You’ll want to record the accident details with your cell phone. Take photos and videos of the scene and points of impact. You can also take photos of the license plate of the car that hit you.
Get Witness Statements
If there were witnesses to the accident, you should get their contact information. You can also record their statement as a video.
Medical Reports
You’ll want to have a complete set of all the medical reports associated with your injuries. That includes all the exams, tests, and treatments. You want to keep the bills and receipts for any prescription medications, medical supplies, and physical therapy sessions.
Additionally, you should keep a journal of your recovery. That journal can include daily entries about your pain level and how it impacts your quality of life.
All of this documentation can be used by the team at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC to help build your case and ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Contacting An Attorney
Medical bills, lost income or wages, pain and suffering, funeral expenses—any of these may be associated with a serious bicycle accident.
If you have been injured or if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, contact a Louisville bicycle accident lawyer from McCoy & Hiestand, PLC to see how we can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for the damages and losses you have sustained.
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Contact a Bicycle Accident in Louisville Now
Hurt in a bicycle accident? You have options. To learn more about your legal rights, schedule a completely free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
