Bike accidents can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash, and even worse, sometimes a fatality. If you were seriously injured in a bike accident, seek medical attention immediately. Then, contact an experienced Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyer from Oklahoma Injury Law for help.
awards & accolades
What Are the Most Common Types of Bike Accidents in OKC?
Bike accidents can involve various scenarios, including:
- Right cross collisions – Bicycles are treated like motor vehicles. Therefore, motorists must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists riding with the flow of traffic. This type of accident occurs when a motorist pulls out of a parked position or driveway and into the path of the bicyclist, who is on the right side.
- Left cross collisions – A left cross collision occurs when a motorist makes a left turn in front of a cyclist who is riding with the flow of traffic.
- Rear-end collisions – A rear-end collision with a bicyclist may occur when a motorist follows a cyclist too closely and taps the bike, often causing the cyclist to be thrown off their bike.
- Right hook collisions – A right hook collision may occur when a rider is traveling on the right side of the road, a motorist passes them on the left, but then the motorist hits them when they make a right turn into the cyclist’s path.
- Passing accidents – These collisions can occur when a motorist is attempting to overtake a bicyclist but does not have sufficient space. They may hit the bicyclist occupying it when they lurch back into their lane.
- Dooring accidents – This type of accident occurs when a motorist in a parked vehicle opens their door into the oncoming path of a bicyclist.
- Running off-the-road accidents – Bicyclists may run off the road because a motorist forces them off or because they are trying to avoid a collision with a motorist who has veered into their lane.
- Uncontrolled intersection accidents – Accidents may occur at intersections with no traffic signals or stop signs. Motorists may fail to yield the right-of-way to a slower biker, crashing into them when they both proceed forward.
- Road rage incidents – Some motorists are so impatient that they get frustrated by the mere presence of cyclists. They may drive aggressively around them, causing serious accidents in the process.
An experienced Oklahoma City bike accident attorney can review your case to determine the type of accident that occurred and who might be responsible for it.
What Are Some Common Causes of Oklahoma City Bicycle Accidents?
Many bicycle accidents happen because motorists such as cars do not give bicyclists the same respect they would to other motorists. They may cause accidents by:
- Failing to look for them
- Speeding
- Driving while distracted or impaired
- Not passing them carefully
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Violating other traffic rules
Bike accidents can also occur because of product defects or dangerous roads. An experienced Oklahoma City biking accident lawyer can review your case to determine who is responsible and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How to Determine Liability in a Biking Accident in Oklahoma?
Because various parties can potentially be liable in a bike accident, your lawyer will need to investigate the case and gather evidence to determine who is responsible for the accident. They may be able to take the following steps to affect this result:
- Visiting the accident scene, taking pictures of any damage, debris, or skid marks, and noting the location of nearby video cameras
- Requesting and obtaining video footage from traffic cameras, dash cams, surveillance cameras, trail cameras, and helmet cams
- Interviewing the responding law enforcement officer and reviewing the accident report
- Interviewing witnesses and consulting with your medical providers to learn how the accident caused your injuries
- Requesting evidence through the formal discovery process
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
Equipped with this evidence, your personal injury lawyer can make a compelling argument about how the accident happened and why the defendant is responsible.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bike Accident in OKC?
Oklahoma bike accident victims have the right to pursue compensation for the losses they experienced due to the collision, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Ongoing medical care, including physical rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged bike
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
An experienced Oklahoma City bike accident lawyer from our law firm can carefully review your case and determine the damages that you are entitled to recover.
What Should I Do After a Bike Accident in OKC?
Bike crashes can be serious events. You might be knocked unconscious or confused. If possible, take these steps to protect your safety:
Move Out of the Way of Traffic
If possible, get yourself and your bike out of traffic to prevent additional accidents. Ask the driver to activate their hazard lights and to place traffic cones or flares around the traffic accident to alert other drivers.
Call 911
Call 911 or the Oklahoma City Police Department to report the accident. Request an ambulance if you or anyone else was injured.
A law enforcement officer will likely respond to the accident to make a report.
Request Information from the Driver
While you’re waiting for emergency services, ask the at-fault driver for their name, contact information, and insurance details. Write down the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Take Pictures
If your cell phone wasn’t broken in the accident, take pictures of your mangled bike and the damage to the other vehicle, skid marks (or lack thereof), broken parts on the roadway, and nearby traffic signals and signs.
Talk to Witnesses
If any witnesses observed the accident, write down their names and contact information. If the driver hit and ran, they may be able to provide a description of the at-fault driver and their vehicle or part or all of their license plate number.
Contact an Experienced OKC Bike Accident Lawyer
An experienced bike accident lawyer can protect your rights and prevent you from being taken advantage of.
Free Case Consultation
Contact a Vehicle Accident Attorney Today
Whether you were hurt in a car, motorcycle, or trucking accident as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, Oklahoma Injury Law Firm is here to help. Their team provides the legal support you need to pursue justice and recover maximum compensation while you focus on healing.
Contact Our Oklahoma City Bike Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a bicycle accident, contact Oklahoma Injury Law Firm today. Our experienced Oklahoma City bicycle accident attorneys can review your case, conduct a thorough investigation, mount solid evidence, and negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact or call us (405) 310-8800 today to take advantage of a free case review.