Washington D.C. is a wonderful city to bike in, with plenty of bike lanes and trails to help you get around. However, even in the most bike-friendly cities, accidents can happen. If you are a cyclist in Washington D.C., it’s important to be aware of the most common types of bike accidents so that you can take steps to avoid them.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, it’s important to know what your rights are and how to seek compensation for your injuries. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we have years of experience helping cyclists get the compensation they need and deserve. We understand the complex laws that apply to bicycle accidents, and we are here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Here are some of the most common causes of bike accidents in Washington D.C.:
Driver Distraction
Drivers can be distracted by many things, including their phones, passengers, and even the radio. Distracted drivers may not see cyclists in time to avoid a collision.
Running a Stop Sign or Red Light
Drivers who run stop signs or red lights often don’t see cyclists until it’s too late. As a cyclist, it’s important always to obey traffic laws so that drivers know what to expect you.
Opening a Car Door
Most bicycle accidents happen when drivers open their car doors into the bike path. These bike accidents are known as “dooring.” To avoid this, always ride in the middle of the lane so that drivers have to look for you before they open their doors.
Making a Right Turn
Drivers of motor vehicles often misjudge the speed of cyclists when making a right turn. As a result, they may turn into the path of oncoming cyclists. To avoid this, always make sure that drivers see you before they make a turn.
Change Direction Without Checking
When a car turns at an intersection, they often don’t see the cyclist coming and end up hitting them. To avoid this type of accident, make sure to always ride in a straight line and don’t swerve in and out of traffic.
Types of Bike Accidents
Collision With a Car
The most common type of bike accident in Washington D.C. is a collision with a car. This can occur when a driver fails to see a cyclist or when a driver turns into the path of an oncoming cyclist. Cyclists can minimize the risk of being involved in such an accident by wearing bright clothing, using a headlight and taillight when biking at night, and riding in the middle of the lane when there is no bike lane.
Falling Off the Bike
Another common type of accident occurs when a cyclist falls off their bike. This can happen for many reasons, such as losing balance on uneven ground or hitting a pothole. To reduce your risk of falling off your bike, always wear a helmet, make sure your bike is in good working order, and avoid riding in bad weather conditions.
Collision With Other Cyclists
Finally, cyclists can also be injured in accidents with other cyclists. This can happen when two or more cyclists approach from opposite directions or when a cyclist swerves to avoid an obstacle. Always riding cautiously and using hand signals when turning or stopping is important to prevent these bicycle crashes.
Collision with a Pedestrian
This type of accident can occur when cyclists ride on the sidewalk and collide with pedestrians. Always ride on the street and yield to pedestrians to avoid this.
Common Bicycle Injuries
The most common bicycle injuries are cuts, bruises, and scrapes. These are usually caused by falling off the bike or colliding with another object. To avoid these types of injuries, always wear a helmet and protective gear and ride carefully.
More severe injuries can include broken bones, concussions, and head injuries. These injuries can occur when cyclists fall off their bikes, are hit by a motor vehicle, or collide with another object. If you experience any of these symptoms after a bike accident, seek medical attention right away.
Fatal Bicycle Accidents
Sadly, fatal bike accidents occur each year. Most fatal accidents happen when a cyclist is hit by a car. This type of accident is more likely to occur at night, on weekends, and during summer. To avoid being involved in a fatal accident, it is important to wear reflective gear when biking at night and be cautious when riding near cars.
File a Personal Injury Claim for Bicycle Accidents
If you are a bicycle accident victim, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Filing a personal injury claim can be complex, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our team of experienced personal injury lawyers can help you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What We Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. bicycle accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a bicycle accident, gathering the evidence needed to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Recovering Damages in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
Many factors go into determining the value of your bike accident claim. These include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
We Get You Results
For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements:
- $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him.
- $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision.
- $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate chemical product use.
- $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
- $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.
How Do I Calculate the Value of My Bicycle Accident Claim?
The value of your bicycle accident claim will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of damage to your bike, and whether you can work. You may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and any other medical treatment that you may need as a result of your injuries.
- Lost wages: If you cannot work because of your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages.
- Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your bike and any other property damaged in the accident.
- Pain and suffering: You may be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering that you have endured as a result of the accident.
Remember, if you are involved in a bike accident, it is important to take action immediately to ensure you can get the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your bicycle accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.
