Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle Accident? Call PBAR

Learning how to ride a bike is seen as a right of passage for many Americans. Bicycling not only offers a fun activity for individuals or groups but also provides exercise, can save money and is environmentally friendly.

For these reasons, bicycling has become more and more popular in the United States in recent years. Unfortunately, the downside to bicycling is the possibility of bicycle accidents.

Indianapolis Bicycle Accidents

In 2018, multiple bicycling groups in the Indianapolis area raised the alarm about an uptick in fatal bicycle accidents in Central Indiana. In addition to fatalities, many of the cyclists in these groups discussed their brushes or near-accidents with motorists, noting that one of the multiple issues in Indianapolis is a lack of police data for near-bicycle accidents, as those often go unreported.

BikeMaps, a crowd-sourced website of data, allows for reporting of accidents. As of July 2020, Indianapolis showed 48 reported incidents. Because this is crowdsourced, it only can show what is reported.

Official reports, however, show Indiana as ranking 13th in the United States for bicycle accidents per capita. Data shows that bicycle fatalities rose in 2018 by a shocking 120 percent from the previous year; nationwide, fatalities from bicycle accidents numbered 857 that year.

The average age of bicyclists killed in U.S. accidents in 2017 was only 47 years old.

In 2018, 50 percent of individuals over 75 who were involved in Indiana bicycle accidents were either incapacitated or killed; the second and third largest groups of individuals who suffered severe or fatal injuries were adults aged 55-64, with 46.5 percent of all involved suffering incapacitating or fatal injuries and adults aged 65-74, of which 40 percent suffered severely or fatally. The age group with the highest number of bicycle accident victims, however, was individuals aged 15-20. Of those, 30.7 percent received fatal or severe injuries.

Talk to Someone Right Now About Your Case!

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bike accident, we want to hear your story. Speak with a PBAR representative now by calling 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 or chat online 24/7. REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

We tend to hear the phrase “as easy as riding a bike” quite often. However, there are many important elements of correctly riding a bicycle, and if overlooked, the results can be devastating.

Just as important as learning to correctly ride a bicycle is learning to share the road with one; motorists and pedestrians must be aware of cyclists and vice versa.

Data for 2017 shows that the majority of bicycle accidents occur in urban areas. Surprisingly, statistics also show that most fatal bike accidents occurred during daylight—but only slightly, with a majority occurring in the early evening hours of 6 to 8:59 p.m. However, fatalities increased later in the evening on weekends.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents are as follows:

For Cyclists

  • Failing to yield to the right of way
  • Riding in low visibility without reflective gear
  • Riding in poor weather conditions without reflective gear
  • Salmoning, or riding against traffic flow
  • Failing to use a provided bicycle lane
  • Crossing a roadway without looking both ways
  • Crossing closely behind parked cars in driveways, garages or parking lots
  • Defective bicycle or bicycle parts
  • Obstructions in the road or poorly kept pathways
  • Cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs

For Motorists

  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving at night or in low visibility
  • Driving in poor weather conditions
  • Making illegal turns or U-turns
  • Backing out of a parking space or driveway without looking
  • Close passing of a bicycle
  • Attempting to run a bike off the road or “take back” the road
  • Honking at cyclists

In Indianapolis, bicyclists have the right to ride in the road; this can, unfortunately, lead to motorists experiencing road rage or competing with cyclists for the road. If you are on a bicycle and a driver exhibits these behaviors, pull off safely and let the vehicle pass. If possible, get their license plate number to report them to police.

Talk to Someone Right Now About Your Case!

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, we want to hear your story. Speak with a PBAR representative now by calling 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 or chat online 24/7. REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Injuries sustained from bicycle injuries can range in severity from minor to incapacitating or even fatal. Accidents involving bicyclists and motor vehicles are especially dangerous due to the difference in size and protection provided by the vehicles, not to mention the capacity for high speeds in motor vehicles.

Here are some of the most common injuries individuals receive from a bicycle accident:

  • Head injuries, including but not limited to skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, hemorrhaging, eye trauma, dental trauma, and facial contusions and scratches
  • Neck, back and spinal injuries, including those resulting in paralysis
  • Knee injuries such as dislocation
  • Fractures, especially to the shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, hips, legs, knees and feet
  • Contusions (bruising) throughout the body
  • Internal injuries to organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and bowel; hernias
  • Strains and sprains to muscles, ligaments and tendons
  • Abrasions and burns

Even minor injuries from bicycle accidents can result in costly medical expenses so as to properly clear and diagnose injuries after an accident; expensive diagnostics such as x rays, tests and scans are often necessary. For more serious injuries, hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy, counseling and more may be required.

The negligence of someone else should not result in a personal injury and financial losses; you may be entitled to recover compensation.

Talk to Someone Right Now About Your Case!

If you or a loved one have been injured in a biking accident, we want to hear your story. Speak with a PBAR representative now by calling 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 or chat online 24/7. REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW

Tips for Bicycle Safety

  • Wear a helmet.
  • Wear reflective and bright clothing.
  • Ride in groups or pairs when possible to increase visibility.
  • Always obey ALL traffic laws, including stop signs and lights.
  • Use signals when turning.
  • Avoid salmoning; always ride with traffic rather than against.
  • If possible, use lights when riding after dark.
  • Keep your hands on the handlebars at all times.
  • Don’t attempt maneuvers or stunts near roadways.
  • Use bike lanes when provided.
  • Ride to the right.
  • Announce yourself to pedestrians.
  • Keep yourself four feet away from parked cars.
  • Avoid listening to music or headphones while riding.

If you are a parent or guardian of a young child, always supervise bicycle riding and require helmets to limit the possibility of incapacitating or deadly accidents. Teach young children to obey traffic laws and how to properly ride a bicycle; when possible, keep young riders out of the roadway and on bike lanes or paths.

Young riders can be hard to spot from the motorist’s driver’s seat, so be sure to instill the importance of leaving at least four feet between any car and bike ridden by your child.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, many of the steps will be familiar to you as they are similar to those you should take if you’re involved in a car accident. However, certain steps differ when it comes to preserving evidence.

Here are the steps you should take if you or a loved one is involved in a bicycle accident:

  1. Get yourself and your bike out of the roadway safely. Don’t leave the scene.
  2. Get medical attention. If you feel your injuries aren’t serious, photograph and take note of them and seek treatment as soon as possible, making sure to tell your doctor you were involved in a bicycle accident so you have a record of it medically.
  3. Call the police, and report the accident.
  4. Exchange information with the motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian involved.
  5. Identify any witnesses, and get their contact information.
  6. Decline to provide a written statement or sign anything prior to discussing your case with an attorney.
  7. Take photographs of the scene; include your injuries, your clothing, the location, your bicycle and any other vehicles involved.
  8. Do not post on social media about your injury or accident; save photographs, statements and stories for your attorney.
  9. Contact and hire an attorney experienced in bicycle accidents.
  10. Continue to monitor your injuries and symptoms; follow any prescribed routines or medicines a doctor provided for you.
  11. Keep your clothing, shoes, helmet and bicycle preserved from the accident. Don’t wash or fix anything; should your case go to trial, these items can provide crucial evidence.

Suffering a bicycle accident is an unfortunate reality for many Hoosiers. If you or your loved one experiences a bicycle accident in Indianapolis, you don’t have to suffer alone. You may qualify for compensation for the economic and non-economic damages caused by the negligence of someone else.

To learn about the steps you need to take to protect your legal right to recover the compensation you deserve for your bicycle accident claim, call (800) 265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 now to speak with a PBAR personal injury attorney.

Compensation for Bicycle Accidents

You may be entitled to substantial compensation for the economic and non-economic damages caused by your bicycle accident. Examples of compensation include:

  • Medical bills.
  • Lost wages.
  • Property damage.
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Mental anguish and emotional suffering.
  • Future damages.

Talk to Someone Right Now About Your Case!

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, we want to hear your story. Speak with a PBAR representative now by calling 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 or chat online 24/7. REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW

Our Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You!

If you suffer a bicycle accident caused by negligent, careless or reckless acts of another person or party, our Indiana personal injury lawyers may be able to help you.

Your first step is to contact Poynter & Bucheri, LLC, for your free consultation with one of our lawyers. You may have the legal right to recover substantial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.

Call (800) 265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 to schedule your free case review to get legal advice about your rights to hold negligent parties responsible and liable for bicycle injuries under the State of Indiana’s personal injury laws.

No Attorney Fees, Unless You Win.

Our experienced bike accident attorneys work on a contingency fee, which means if you do not win your case, you will pay no attorney fees. Most law firms charge 33% or 40%. Our fee is only 25%* – THAT’S MORE MONEY FOR YOU!

PBAR Helps Our Clients Get Their Lives Back

It is our mission to help families that have been impacted by the negligent, reckless and wrongful acts of another party. We want to help you seek justice for your loved one and your family.