Summerville Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The suburban area of Summerville is a popular place for adults and children alike to enjoy bicycling. In and around Summerville, people use bicycles for transportation, exercise, and recreation. However, bicycle accidents also occur more often than you might expect, and bicyclists can sustain serious and even fatal injuries. Indeed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle accident injuries and fatalities have been rising since 2017. If you or your child recently got hurt in a bicycle crash in South Carolina, it is important to seek advice from a lawyer who can help you with a claim. Contact our experienced Summerville bicycle accident lawyer today.
Common Injuries in Summerville Bicycle Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that tens of thousands of nonfatal bicycle accident injuries impact riders of all age groups every year, but the highest rate of bicycle injuries occur among the age group of 10 to 14, where more than 40,000 injuries are reported annually. When it comes to fatal bicycle accident injuries, bicyclists between the ages of 55 and 64 sustain the highest rates of deadly injuries, at more than 300 per year. What types of injuries are most common in bicycle accidents?
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions;
- Broken bones;
- Traumatic amputations;
- Internal bleeding and organ damage;
- Bruises and contusions;
- Scrapes and road rash;
- Cuts and lacerations; and
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs).
While these types of injuries and more can occur at any time of the day, the highest number of serious and deadly injuries occur just after the rush hour between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Male riders tend to be involved in more accidents than female riders, and the most serious and common collisions are those that involve SUVs and light trucks.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Summerville
If you or someone you love sustains injuries in a bicycle accident, it will be essential to identify the cause of the crash in order to determine liability. What are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Summerville and throughout South Carolina? Consider the following:
- Speeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Alcohol-impaired driving, or alcohol-impaired bicycling;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving;
- Running a red light or a stop sign;
- Following a bicyclist too closely;
- Failing to use a turn signal;
- Dooring (opening a car door into a bike lane); and
- Dangerous road or bike lane conditions.
Depending upon the cause of the collision that caused your injuries, you may be able to file a claim against one or more parties. Parties commonly liable for bicycle accidents in Summerville include negligent drivers and negligent property owners. In some cases, such as those where a crash resulted from a vehicle defect like defective brakes, the designer or manufacturer of the defective part could be strictly liable for injuries.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
Anyone who has been injured in a bicycle accident should find out about options for seeking compensation to help pay for losses. Contact our experienced Summerville bicycle accident lawyer today to learn more about filing a claim.
