San Jose Bike Accident Attorneys

Bicycle Accidents and Spinal Cord
Injuries - What You Need to Know

Bicycle accidents can lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Riders usually have
no protection from the force of collision beyond a helmet. Unfortunately, however,
even the best helmet cannot fully protect you from injuries to the neck, spine, and
back. This fact means that bicyclists involved in serious collisions can suffer
serious trauma to the spinal cord that can lead to significant complications like
paralysis. It is important for spinal cord injury victims to hire a personal injury
lawyer who understands the complex anatomy and physiology of these injuries.
Call Deldar Legal's San Jose bike accident attorneys at (844) 335-3271. At your
free consultation with one of our experienced San Jose bicycle injury attorneys,
you will learn how we win accident cases. We work with medical experts,
economists, and other professionals to provide strong evidence of the full value
of your losses. We fight against lowball settlement offers and other insurance
company tactics. Let us protect your legal rights so you can focus on making the
best recovery possible. A bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate the
post injury process.
Bicycle Injuries by the Numbers
An Irish trauma study reported in The Surgeon found a 200 percent increase in
spinal injuries involving cyclists between 2010 and 2013. (By comparison, spinal
injuries involving motorcycle accidents actually decreased by 68 percent during
the same time period.) Bicycle accidents are on the rise here in the United
States, as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
there were 20 percent more pedalcyclist fatalities in 2007 than in 2016 (701
compared to 840). And the Los Angeles Times reports that bicyclist deaths in the
United States increased 16 percent between 2010 and 2012. Other vehicle
fatalities rose by just one percent during this same time period.
Here in California, the bicycle injury problem is worse than in any other state. The
Times reported that California had the greatest number of bicycle deaths of any
state in 2012. California also had the highest total number of deaths between
2010 and 2012. Part of this problem can be attributed to our higher population.
Cycling is also popular in California: we have pleasant weather that is conducive
to year-round cycling. We also have heavy vehicle traffic and many bike-friendly
cities that encourage many Californians to commute by bicycle rather than car.
While bicycle commuting is good for the environment and your health, it does
increase the risk that you will sustain serious injuries in a bicycle accident.
Tips for Safe Riding
AAA recommends that bicyclists: (1) be alert (scan ahead, center, left and right),
(2) be wary (pay attention to vehicles, pedestrians and others on the
road), and (3) be seen (use your horn, hand signals and light to be seen by
others on the road).
AAA also recommends that you:
 Wear your helmet. Follow this simple rule, and you reduce your risk of serious
injury by as much as 85 percent.
 Keep your head up and look ahead, not at the ground. You need to see what is
coming up so you have time to react and maneuver.
 One person per bike. Riding with unsecured passengers puts you at risk for
injury to yourself and others.
 Ride single file with space between bikes.
 Ride on the right side of the road, never against traffic. Otherwise, you are at risk
for an accident – or a ticket.
 Plan ahead if you are riding in a group. Agree on the route ahead of time. Have a
plan on what you will do if separated by traffic.
 If you will be riding in an unfamiliar area, check out local laws and rules first.
 Avoid busy roads and peak traffic times on your route.
 Before riding at night, ask someone to help you check your visibility to motorists.
 Maintain the bikes in your household. Keep chains clean and lubricated and
periodically inspect brake pads.
 Do not wear headphones while riding.
 Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when signaling.
 Keep both feet on pedals.
 In a group, ride single-file, with the flow of traffic.
 Wear a brightly colored helmet and retro-reflective material on your clothing.
 Use the correct hand signals.
 Before entering a roadway: Stop. Look left. Look right. Look left.
 Avoid riding at twilight or in the dark, especially on narrow roads and roads with
speed limits that exceed 35 mph.
The Many Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury
Negligent drivers have a legal obligation to compensate bicycle accident victims
for all the losses they suffer due to a spinal cord injury. Even minor spinal cord
injuries result in a wide variety of losses. You might miss work and accrue
significant medical bills. You might need to consult with a neurological specialist
or undergo rehabilitation, like physical therapy or occupational therapy. You are
also owed compensation for your pain and suffering. Even if your spinal cord
injury was simple bruising, the negligent driver has a legal obligation to pay for
your discomfort.
The more complex a spinal injury is, the more costs will be associated with it.
Serious spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. The victim
might be unable to work again. In this case, the negligent driver must
compensate all the wages the victim would have earned between the time of the
accident and retirement. Lost wages also include lost benefits, such as employer-
sponsored health insurance, private retirement contributions, and social security
benefits. The victim might require in-home nursing care or expensive renovations
to make their home wheelchair accessible. All of these costly expenses must be
compensated in a personal injury settlement.
Experienced San Jose Bike Accident Attorneys for
Serious Bicycle Injury Cases
A spinal injury can change a victim’s life forever. Work, hobbies, home life, even
the simple act of picking up your child can be changed by permanent damage to
the spinal cord. It is important that negligent drivers be held accountable for
compensating spinal cord injury victims for all their losses. This is not only their
legal obligation, but it is an important step toward reinforcing safe driving
behaviors in the future.
Let Deldar Legal help you navigate the complicated claims process. Our San
Jose bicycle accident attorneys have experience with cases involving complex
spinal cord injuries. We know how to prove the full value of your many
losses. Call (844) 335-3271 or contact us online to schedule your free
consultation with a San Jose bike accident attorney. We fight hard for San Jose
accident victims.
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Bicycle Accidents and Spinal Cord

Injuries - What You Need to Know

Slip and Fall

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