Need an Injury Attorney for a Wisconsin Bicycle Accident?
There are some facts that you should understand about our love for bicycles in Wisconsin. For one, from a legal standpoint, bicycles are considered more than a bike – in Wisconsin, they are seen as a “vehicle” and treated as such. Bicyclists are supposed to obey the rules of the road just like any other driver. 60% of all adult bicycle crashes are the result of motorist actions, which means that a motorist could be held liable for causing one of these severe accidents for a rider. When a motor vehicle is involved in a bicycle accident, one of the most common injuries is some type of head injury. Both pedestrians and bicyclists are at risk for the most serious accidents because they have virtually no protection from the elements, which puts them at great risk up against vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds.
Those who ride a bike should be prepared for anything because accidents are always around the corner. The negligence of others on the roadways contributes to a large percentage of accidents to bicyclists every year, putting them at risk in unbelievable ways – sometimes ways that could impact the rest of their lives.
After a Bicycle Accident
You may not know what you are supposed to do after you have been injured in a bicycle accident. Perhaps nobody ever prepared you for the very real fact that accidents can happen at any time, so it helps to be prepared in every way possible.
- Remove yourself and your bicycle safely from the roadways. You don’t want to get into an accident and shortly after end up involved in another accident because another driver didn’t see you in the roadway. This could very easily become a dangerous scenario.
- Record any contact information that you can get from drivers, passengers, and witnesses who have been involved in the accident or saw it from start to finish.
- Capture license plate numbers from any vehicles involved.
- Never try to negotiate with a driver on your own, or take blame for the accident. This could destroy your case before you’re even able to file an injury claim.
- Call the police so that they can assess the situation and make a police report that could prove to be useful in your injury case.
- Receive medical attention before you do anything else. If you don’t and you are severely injured, not only do you put your life at risk, but you may not be able to recover compensation in the future.
Holding a Party Liable for Your Injuries
There are many common injuries that impact bicycle riders every year in the U.S., from fractures of the mouth and jaw, facial contusions, fractured bones, serious scrapes and cuts, dislocated joints, and road rash. If you have been injured by a neglectful driver who has failed to look out for you as you ride along on your bicycle, you may have a case against this party. There are many reasons why drivers drive negligently every year, from drinking and driving to driving distracted by texting, a radio, or another element. In any bicycle accident claim, we are here for you and want to help you receive the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Call us for more information on how we can help.