In 2012, the number of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes jumped to 726 fatalities—a 6% increase from 2011. In addition, 49,000 bicyclists suffered serious injuries in a variety of traffic accidents that could have been avoided. Even more surprising is that the majority of bicycling deaths now occur in urban areas (69%), and male riders represent 88% of cyclists injured or killed.
If you or someone you love is injured in a bicycling accident in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, the experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates can help. Call us today at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
Bicycling in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a biker friendly city with miles of multi-use bike trails throughout the city. D.C. residents and visitors alike can enjoy beautiful biking excursions along the Potomac, through Arlington, Virginia, or through Washington DC all the way to Cumberland, Maryland. In addition, nearly all major streets in Washington, D.C. have protected bike lanes to help improve biking safety.
Washington, D.C. is also home to a very popular bike sharing program known as Capital Bikeshare! This program allows anyone to stop in and rent one of more than 2500 bicycles and ride it anywhere across Washington, D.C., Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland. Cyclists can then return the bike to any station 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Yet even with all of these biker-friendly options, bicyclists in Washington, D.C. are vulnerable to inattentive and careless drivers.
Bicycle Injuries are Often Severe
Bicycles do not offer their riders protection from the dangers of the road. Even potholes can prove hazardous. As such, when bicyclists are involved in accidents with other vehicles, their injuries are often life threatening and catastrophic—even in accidents that occur at low speeds. Even when bicyclists take appropriate safety precautions and wear helmets, their injuries can result in permanent disability and even death.
Types of Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents
Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Road burns and severe abrasions
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- And more
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
A bicycle accident can occur at any time and to anyone on the road. Small children are often victims because their small size makes them easy for motorists to overlook. In addition, small children may take risks and dart out across the street without using proper safety procedures. Yet car drivers are responsible for the majority of bicycle accidents. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Using a cellphone while driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to allow an adequate clearance when passing bicyclists on the road
- Making a left turn into a bicyclist
- Failure to yield the right of way to a bicyclist at an intersection
- Aggressive driving
- Driving impaired
- And more
Recovering From a Bicycle Accident
Even accidents that occur at relatively low speeds can cause serious harm to bicyclists. As a result, recovering from a bicycle accident may take months, even years, and sadly, some cyclists will never ride again. Injured bicyclists need an attorney on their side who understands the long road to recovery and who can obtain the compensation they need to cover medical expenses—both now, and in the future.
During recovery, injured cyclists may require extensive physical therapy, hospitalizations, multiple plastic surgeries, and even disability equipment. In addition, cost of pain medications, doctors’ visits, and even in-patient care facilities can threaten to financially cripple families who are already struggling. When the injured cyclist is the breadwinner for the family, the loss of wages and reduced income could even result in bankruptcy or foreclosure for families in crisis.
Contact Bicycle Accident Lawyers
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our bicycle accident lawyers understand how truly devastating bicycle accidents can be for families in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Virginia, and Maryland. We also know the extensive medical care you may require as a result of your injuries. Our accident attorneys work tirelessly from the very start to ensure that all our injured clients receive the compensation they need to fully recover. Call us at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
The bicycle accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates have successfully represented injured individuals in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Alexandria, Annapolis, Rockville, Baltimore, Richmond, Fairfax, and other locations throughout Maryland and Virginia.
