Fairfax, VA Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Dedicated Bicycle Accident Attorneys Protecting Injured Cyclists in Fairfax, Virginia

Riding a bicycle next to a moving motor vehicle is a bicyclist's legal right. Although this is a legal activity, it is also a very dangerous one due to the risks posed by negligent drivers on the road. Unfortunately, drivers of cars and trucks often fail to see small bicycles or respect their right to the road. This makes bicycle crashes a possibility anywhere cars are present.

If you were hit by a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle and suffered serious, life-altering injuries as a result, contact Shevlin Smith, P.C. for reliable legal representation. Our Fairfax bicycle accident lawyers have decades of experience, and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you. We offer compassionate guidance and sound counsel tailored to your unique situation.

Schedule your no-cost consultation with our team today when you call our office at 703-591-0067.

Where Do Bicycle Accidents Commonly Occur?

• Intersections: When drivers attempt to make right- or left-hand turns, they often forget to look for bicycles before turning. Sometimes, drivers will see cyclists and try to beat them to the intersection so they do not have to wait for the cyclist to cross the street. The reality is that turning cars at intersections are often a major cause of bicycle crashes.
• Parking Lots and Driveways: Drivers of cars often pull out of parking lots without looking for bicyclists. When this happens, cyclists are often cut off and ejected from their bikes or pushed out further into traffic and run over by other vehicles.
• City and Rural Streets: When drivers attempt to pass bicycles on the road, they sometimes cut things too close and fail to give cyclists the proper amount of room. As a result, they may clip a bicycle and send the rider off the road.

The reality is that bicycle crashes can happen anywhere, including quiet neighborhoods or bustling downtown streets. Although bicycle accidents can take place in the city or country, the risks increase with heavier traffic. While congestion is a cause of bicycle accidents, there are a number of other reasons bicyclists may be injured in wrecks.

Obtaining Compensation After a Bicycle Crash

When other drivers' errors and negligence cause bicyclists to crash and suffer injuries, injured cyclists can take steps to secure financial recovery for the following damages:

• Medical Bills: When serious injuries occur, medical bills can add up fast, and they may include an ambulance ride, surgery, and months of physical therapy. Any and all medical expenses related to a bicycle accident should be covered by the other driver's insurance company, including co-pays. Depending on the seriousness of an injury, an injured cyclist may need medical care for life. In this event, future medical expenses should be calculated prior to settling with the insurance company.
• Lost Wages: If a bicycle crash causes an injured cyclist to miss work and affects their ability to earn a living, they should be compensated for lost income. Additionally, if the bike crash leaves the cyclist unable to work for life, the injured cyclist may be entitled to compensation for the future loss of income and benefits.
• Pain and Suffering: Emotional trauma and physical pain are often side effects that bicycle accident victims are left to deal with, and they should be compensated accordingly.
• Loss of Services: If a bicycle accident victim is a stay-at-home mom or dad, their family should be compensated for services such as needing to hire a housekeeper, nanny, or other in-home assistant for things that the injured victim can no longer do.

Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes

• Driver Distraction: Many drivers of cars and trucks are distracted at the wheel by their smartphones. Whether a driver texts and drives, talks on the phone, looks at social media sites, or replies to emails, their eyes are off the road, their hands are off the wheel, and their mind is not paying attention to driving. Even if a distraction only lasts for a matter of seconds, they may not see bicycles on the road.
• Drowsy Driving: Truck drivers are notorious for driving too many hours without sleeping. Drivers of cars have also been guilty of driving without getting proper rest. As a result, there are many tired drivers on the road who cause crashes due to their altered state of mind.
• Drunk or Drugged Driving: Many drivers get behind the wheel while drunk or after using drugs. When drivers are impaired by alcohol or drugs, they can make poor decisions, their reactions may be slower, and their vision may be altered. Consequently, they may miss seeing a bicyclist sharing the road with them.
• Reckless Driving: When drivers go 80 miles per hour or drive above the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour, this is considered reckless driving in Virginia. Speeding and reckless driving may cause drivers to blow through stop signs and traffic lights, which can cause crashes that may leave cyclists with critical injuries.

When cars or trucks make contact with bicycles on the road, cyclists often suffer very serious and life-threatening injuries. This is mainly due to the difference in size between bicycles and other larger vehicles and the fact that cyclists do not have the same protection that those in cars and trucks have. Sadly, cyclists are often left fighting for their lives due to the serious injuries they sustain in bike crashes.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

• Bone Fractures: Because cyclists do not have anything protecting their arms or legs, they may suffer multiple bone fractures in the event of a crash. Sometimes, broken bones can pierce the skin and cause infections, and other times, bone fractures can damage nerves and blood vessels and lead to serious complications. When bones are broken, surgery might be required, and physical therapy may also be needed during months of recovery.
• Facial Injuries: Because cyclists are often thrown from their bikes in collisions, they can sustain trauma to the face. This can include broken teeth, jaw injuries, eye injuries, cuts, and scarring that can be severe.
• Brain Injuries: Although many cyclists wear bicycle helmets, the force of a bicycle accident can be enough to cause a helmeted cyclist to suffer a serious blow to the head. Cyclists may be thrown over their handlebars, and they can land on vehicles, hard pavement, or strike other objects with their heads. When this occurs, a concussion, contusion, hematoma, or traumatic brain injury may be the result. Any type of brain injury can result in lifelong challenges for an injured cyclist.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: When bicyclists are ejected from their bicycles and land on their backs, they can suffer injuries to their heads, necks, backs, and spines. In severe cases, a partial or complete tear of the spinal cord may occur, resulting in a serious spinal cord injury and some form of paralysis.
• Wrongful Death: Because of the lack of protection in the event of a bicycle accident, a cyclist who ends up being thrown into traffic, a tree, or other objects will have an increased chance of suffering fatal injuries. When cyclists are victims of wrongful death, their families can take steps to recover compensation through wrongful death claims.

Traumatic cycling injuries often occur when bicycles and cars or trucks collide. When a bicyclist is faced with serious physical injuries in addition to the harsh financial reality of a crash, they will need to learn all they can about their right to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim.

Contact Our Fairfax Bicycle Accident Attorney

Because bicycle accidents can lead to traumatic physical injuries as well as financial trauma, a victim and their family should speak with an attorney who has experience handling bicycle accident claims. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we have the experience and dedication you are looking for. Contact our Fairfax, VA bike accident lawyer at 703-591-0067 to learn more about how our firm can help you fight for your rights. Consultations are free.