What Damages Can I Collect for a Bicycle Accident?

The benefits of riding a bicycle are well-documented, but it can also be dangerous — particularly when bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.

In an accident involving a bicycle and any type of motor vehicle, the person on the bicycle is at a serious disadvantage and may suffer significant injuries.

Even if the accident does not involve another vehicle, if it is caused by a defect in the design or construction of the bicycle, the end result can be a rider who suffers painful, debilitating injuries that require emergency medical treatment and possibly even ongoing care.

If you or a loved one are in a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. The second thing you should do is contact an experienced Tuscaloosa bicycle accident lawyer who is prepared to listen to the details of your case, advise you on what type of compensation, if any, you may be entitled to, and guide you through your personal injury claim.

Compensation after a bicycle accident may vary

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to after your bicycle accident depends on several factors, including who was at fault for the accident, the type and severity of any injuries you sustained in the accident, and the impact the accident may have on your overall physical, mental, emotional, and financial health. Compensation after a bicycle accident may help cover your:

• Medical tImmediately following the accident, you may require emergency medical attention and treatment, including being transported to a hospital via ambulance. Depending on your injuries, you may require not only emergency care, but surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation and care.
• Loss of iA serious accident can change your whole life, leaving you unable to financially support yourself or your family – either temporarily or permanently. Your medical treatment may leave you out of work for days, weeks, or months, as you work to recover from your injuries. Serious or catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries may prevent you from returning to work at all, which could also result in a loss of health insurance for yourself and your family. Even if you are eventually able to return to work, your earning potential may be significantly reduced either due to time lost while you were recuperating, or a diminished capacity to perform your job, requiring you to change careers.
• Pain and sAny accident can be traumatic, particularly one where you suffer serious bodily injury. The mental and emotional toll of an accident like this cannot be overstated. It can cause intrusive thoughts that disrupt your waking hours, and nightmares that disrupt your sleep. Depending on the severity of the accident and the injuries you suffered, the accident may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition can negatively affect or even destroy your quality of life and relationships with friends and family.
• Property dAfter an accident, your bicycle will likely need to be repaired, if not replaced altogether, and you will certainly need a new bicycle helmet. The clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident may need to be replaced, including any specialty cycling clothing or gear such as cycling gloves. The same goes for any property you were carrying with you when you were hit – for instance, your smartphone and or smartwatch, any jewelry, or other items that were damaged, destroyed, or lost in the accident.

Determining which types of compensation, and how much, you are entitled to after a bicycle accident can be challenging. Consulting an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle bicycle accidents is crucial for you and your family.

How often are bicycles hit by cars in Alabama?

While not all bicycle accidents involve a motor vehicle, the accidents that cause the most serious injuries often do. Tragically, the number of bicycle accidents is increasing in Alabama. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, between 2014 and 2023, bicycle fatalities in the state increased 37.5%.

In 2023, there were 171 non-fatal injuries to Alabama bicyclists. If that number seems low, keep in mind that minor injuries that can be treated with soap, water, and a bandage are typically not reported. Far from the scraped knees or minor bumps and bruises many people remember collecting as children riding bikes, people of all ages can be injured in a bicycle accident, sometimes quite seriously, particularly when a vehicle is involved.

Common injuries to cyclists after an accident involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle include:

• Broken bones or fractures, particularly in the hands, wrists, arms, or legs.
• Eye injuries.
• Facial injuries, including serious scrapes and cuts that may leave scarring, as well as broken bones and chipped or displaced teeth.
• Head injuries, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury(TBI).
• Internal injuries such as organ damage, including bruising and lacerations.
• Spinal cord injuries(SCI) can occur depending on how and at what speed a cyclist is hit, and may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
• Skin rash, sometimes referred to as “road rash,” where sometimes large patches of the outer layer of skin are traumatically removed due to contact with pavement or gravel. Depending on the speed involved and the specific circumstances of the accident, the tissue under the outer layer of the skin may suffer damage as well.
• Soft-tissue damage, including tears or serious bruising to the muscles and ligaments.

The severity of these injuries can vary depending on several factors, including the type of motor vehicle involved in the crash, the speed at which the vehicle hit the bicycle, and more. Ultimately, when a motor vehicle and a bicycle collide, the bicycle rider is significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries due to a lack of any kind of protection from the bike.

A thorough investigation of the accident must be conducted in order to identify all of the factors that contributed to the accident and who is at fault.

Does it matter who is at fault in a bicycle accident?

Determining who is at fault in the accident is key to your eligibility to receive any compensation. Alabama’s rule regarding fault, or negligence, is among the strictest in the nation. The state’s contributory negligence law makes it clear that anyone who plays a minor role in causing an accident in which they were injured is not permitted to receive compensation. This is why it is absolutely crucial that you have a skilled Tuscaloosa personal injury lawyer like those at Prince Glover Hayes on your side. We have experience handling cases involving bicycle accidents, and we fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve. Our long record of verdicts and settlements speaks for itself.

Contact a Tuscaloosa, AL bicycle lawyer today

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. It is critical that you speak with an experienced Tuscaloosa personal injury lawyer who understands the nuances of Alabama’s personal injury laws – and who knows how to fight on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve. The bicycle accident lawyers at Prince Glover Hayes stand ready to fight on your behalf. Our compassionate attorneys work hard to prove that your injuries are the result of the other party’s negligence alone and that you did not contribute in any way to the accident. Give us a call or complete our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation.