Bicycle vs. Car: Bike Loses

You don't hear about bicycle accidents as often as reports of car crashes. But when you do, you can be sure that in a lot of cases the injuries are severe.

Statistics show a bike accident or a motorcycle accident is almost never the fault of the biker. Driver negligence accounts for the majority of catastrophic injuries suffered in bike accidents. Because bikers are so unprotected and vulnerable, being hit by a car or truck can cause serious injuries such as brain injuries, broken bones and spinal cord injuries. It can lead to disability or even death.

Last year alone, hundreds of bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the United States. Of the hundreds and thousands of biking accidents each year, nearly half of all victims are children. Moreover, head injuries account for most of all serious injuries and fatalities involving biking accidents.

At The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we've found over the years that bicyclists can get the short end of the stick from insurance companies. Industry statistics show that settlements for injuries suffered in cars are much higher than for the same type of injuries suffered by cyclists.

Maybe that's due to the fact that bicycle-car accidents present unusual legal issues that are different from most automobile cases. Hill inclines, lines of sight, roadway (and shoulder) conditions, intersection crossings, distinctions among bicycle paths, lanes and routes and more may be very significant factors in a bike accident case.

That's why it's important to see an attorney who understands the special factors and legalities of bicycle cases. With a skilled and knowledgeable attorney on your side, you can improve your odds against the insurance company lowballing a settlement.