Introduction
More bicycle accidents are occurring nowadays in the US and every year brings with it countless injuries and fatalities. It is important that factors of these accidents are understood by attorneys representing victims. This article examines the main factors that trigger bicycle accidents, the law behind these incidents, and how clients benefit from the assistance of medical record review companies to serve their legal needs.
Overview of Bicycle Accidents
Importance of Understanding Causes
Clash of a motor vehicle and a bicycle can be avoided if the causes are known for the bicycle accidents. In a world where almost no bike riders and even fewer motorists would experience the trauma of an accident, lawyers’ jobs would have a whole new meaning. This article would help lawyers win more cases and serve their customers better.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Driving While Distracted
Brief Description: Engaging in activities such as texting, speaking on the phone or driving while fiddling with the radio is known as distracted driving. Such behavior is one of the most common reasons for bicycle collisions. Such acts directly impede the attention and noticeability of cyclists on the road.
Legal Effect: Attorneys can easily argue that distracted driving falls under the negligence section of law, which can dramatically change the level of responsibility in accident cases.
Lateral Vehicle Movements
Synopsis: There are many cases where a driver moving his vehicle is at fault due to a lack of adequate surveillance, especially while changing lane positions. Most are in the middle of busy cities where other vehicles as well as cyclists have to share the same lane.
Legal Consequence: It would be helpful to the case if we could prove that the driver checking the blind spots or mirrors would have helped avoid the situation.
Car Door Opening
ITRODUCTION: “Dooring” involves a person inside a car opening doors and paths while a cyclist is trying to pass the car. This is a usual scenario in areas where a large portion of the road is covered by parked cars.
Legal Consequences: The lawyer representing the injured cyclist can assert that by opening the door without checking the road to ascertain if there is a cyclist, the driver or passenger acted carelessly.
Not Giving Way At An Intersection
Synopsis: These yields are important for proper navigation and the prevention of bicycle accident especially in the intersection. This can be taken in strides such as while turning or while entering the road from the car garage/driveway.
Legal Consequences: If a driver is conclusively proven to have not give way, it is likely that there was negligence and liability can be accepted in a case.
Night-time Cycling
Synopsis: Riding a bike during the night is very dangerous as the risk of accidents increases due to the limited visibility along with a lack of suitable attire gear. Cyclists without reflective elements or lights are greatly exposed.
Legal Implications: bike riders have an obligation of ensuring their visibility using appropriate attire while lawyers assert that the duty of vigilance of the drivers still applies in dark sections of the road.
Riding Without a Cycle Path
Overview: Riders a lot of the time has to cycle outside the bike paths due to the state of the roads and other barriers, which exposes them to recognition by vehicles more than they should.
Legal Implications: Lawyers can argue that the absence of adequate infrastructure contributes to this type of accidents.
Driving too Fast
Overview: All cases of riders’ or the drivers’ accidents have dire outcomes, this is also a case of cycling too fast. Reaction speeds are lowered and the extent of injury sustained is greater within riders crossing that threshold.
Legal Implications: Proving that a driver was over the limit can make or break the case.
Common Bicycle Injuries
Bicycle accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Common injuries include:
- Road Rash: abrasions to the skin acquired from falling
- Cuts and Bruises: Soft tissue injuries that may need medicinal attention.
- Fractures: Usually occur on the arms, legs and collar bones.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): extremely devastating head related injuries whereby permanent damage can be done to a person’s brain.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries with the potential of causing either paralysis or immobility.
The Role of Medical Records Review in Bicycle Accident Cases
Importance of Medical Records
Following a bicycle accident, medical records are helpful because they offer an account of injuries, treatment procedure, and the healing prospects. These records are utilized to ascertain the damages and the injuries’ effect on the victim.
How Medical Records Review Services Assist Attorneys
- Thorough Review: Medical records review services thoroughly assess client’s medical history and pinpoint injuries and treatments that are applicable to the case.
- Medical Expert Opinions: Medical practitioners are able to give professional diagnosis about the injuries and its consequences which are crucial in the court of law.
- Organizing Cases: Medical records summaries and chronologically ordered documents enable attorneys to present well-organized and substantiated cases.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Distracted Driving Accident
Detailed Description: The case involved a 28 –year old cyclist who suffered severe injuries including a broken leg and TBI because he was hit by a driver who was distracted and texting.
Challenges: The driver blamed the cyclist because she feels he wasn’t cautious while riding.
Solution: The level of injuries and the scope of rehabilitation expected for the injured party are captured by the review of medical records. Witnesses confirmed that the driver was preoccupied during the accident.
Case Study 2: Dooring Incident
Overview: A 22 year old cyclist was involved in an accident after a passenger opened a vehicle door in their path.
Challenges: The defense stated that the cyclist was riding overboard and too close to parked automobiles.
Solution: Medical records indicated that they suffered a concussion alongside complex fractures. An expert opinion illustrated that the driver assumes liability for any cyclists present before opening the car door.
Conclusion
For an attorney advocating for a victim, comprehension of the typical causes of a bicycle accident is paramount. An advocate who is pulled together with comprehensive medical records and up-to-date data will always be ahead of the others and better able to serve their clients. With the many factors that accompany bicycle accidents, the issue requires a much closer consultation and medical records review services are very important in all legal documents that relate to the same matter.
