Bayview District Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bayview District Bike Accidents
San Francisco cyclists are faced with the threat of injury or death every day while sharing the road with cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 600 cyclists were killed and approximately 53,000 were injured in 2008. The Bayview district bike accident injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger have represented clients in bicycle accidents involving automobiles, mid-size trucks, big rigs, motorcycles, company-owned vehicles and different modes of public transportation. Our personal injury law firm will hold the at-fault party or parties responsible for our clients’ injuries and ensure that their legal rights are protected.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Both bicyclists and drivers are required to follow the rules of the road, which include traffic laws and a duty to keep others from harm. Although a cyclist may be partially responsible for an accident, many times the motor vehicle driver is at fault for failing to obey traffic laws and failing to fulfill their duty of care, or negligence. Speeding, overtaking a cyclist, running a stoplight, driving drunk and falling asleep at the wheel are all considered forms of driver negligence or recklessness. A cyclist who loses control of their bike and crashes into a pole, tree or curb may also cause a bicycle accident. In some situations, a faulty bike part such as a brake, handlebar, or tire may have caused the bicyclist to lose control and crash.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The following 2008 bicycle accident statistics have been provided by the NHTSA.
- The average age of cyclists killed in a collision with an automobile was 41.
- Approximately 81 percent of victims killed in a collision with a vehicle were male.
- Nationwide, the majority of bicycle accidents took place in the month of September.
- More than 20 percent of bicycle accidents took place between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with 17 percent of accidents happening between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Almost 68 percent of cyclists involved in an accident were killed in an urban area, compared to 31 percent killed in rural areas.
- More than 37 percent of bicycle accident deaths occurred at an intersection.
Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicyclist’s injuries can be very severe, especially if riders are not wearing a helmet when hit. A cyclist thrown from a bike can sustain life-threatening head injuries, such as brain damage, skull fractures, and aneurysms. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety statistic shows that 91 percent of cyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing a helmet. Other catastrophic injuries that a cyclist may suffer from are spinal cord injuries, neck and back injuries, burn injuries and limb loss. Broken bone injuries are also very common for a cyclist involved in a bicycle accident.
Compensation for a Bayview Bicycle Accident Injury
If your bicycle accident injury was caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of somebody else, it is imperative that you contact a Bayview district bicycle accident attorney immediately. At the Estey Bomberger law firm, one of our San Francisco personal injury lawyers can assist you in recovering money for any expenses related to your injury, including medical costs, lost earnings, and anticipated lost earnings. You may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and emotional distress the injury has brought you. Call (415) 877-1334 to speak with a lawyer about your case. We can arrange for an attorney to meet you at your hospital, work or home. All consultations are free and if hired to represent you, you will not be charged any fees unless we obtain compensation for you.