During 2009, there were approximately 51,000 wrecks involving cyclists and automobiles on public roads in the United States. About 630 of these wrecks resulted in the death of the cyclist. Many of these unfortunate incidents were entirely avoidable.For the most part, a cyclist on a public roadway in Alabama has the same rights as anyone operating a motor vehicle. Contrary to what many people believe, an individual riding a bicycle is not required, or even permitted in many cities, to ride on a sidewalk and must ride in the same direction as other traffic on the highway. As fuel prices have increased and people have become more concerned about staying healthy and protecting the environment, more people have taken up cycling, either as a form of exercise or a means of commuting to and from work. Several cities in Alabama have enacted ordinances that set out the rights of cyclists, to include their right to share the road with automobiles.
In the past few years, it seems as though there was been an increase in the number of individuals who have been injured while riding bicycles on public roads. Because insurance companies will not issue coverage for the operator of a bicycle, it is important to maintain sufficient uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on any motor vehicles that you own if you, even occasionally, ride your bicycle on a public road. If you are riding your bicycle on the street and are involved in a wreck in which the driver of an automobile leaves the scene, uninsured motorist coverage that you maintain on an automobile you own may be the only source of recovery available to you.
Studies have shown that most wrecks involving adult cyclists are due to a lack of attention on the part of the driver of an automobile. Simply put, it is more difficult for someone driving an automobile to see a cyclist than it is for a cyclist to see an automobile. This problem is further compounded by the increasing number of people who use cell phones while they are driving. Much like individuals who ride motorcycles, when an automobile makes contact with a bicycle, the cyclist is the one who will, in all likelihood, be more seriously injured. In fact, it is not uncommon for individuals riding bicycles, who are involved in a wreck with an automobile, to sustain injuries that require emergency medical treatment, an extended stay in a hospital, surgical intervention, or even result in their death.
Because of the severity of injuries often associated with bicycle wrecks and the complexity of issues involving insurance coverage, to include uninsured and undersinsured motorist coverage, if you are a cyclist and have been involved in a wreck with an automobile, contact The Ryder Law Firm and we will be happy to assist you in understanding your rights and ensuring that they are protected.
Helpful Suggestions:
If you are involved in a collision with an automobile while riding your bicycle, it is advisable to take the following steps to protect your rights and preserve available evidence:- Contact 9-1-1 and notify them that you have been involved in a wreck.
- Get the name, address, and contact information for the driver of the other vehicle and all witnesses to the wreck.
- Do not move your bicycle or any debris until the police or other law enforcement officials have arrived and recorded its location and resulting damage.
- If injured, seek immediate medical attention and follow all instructions/restrictions provided by your treating physician.
- Take your helmet, gear, and any broken or lost parts and place them in a box or bag to preserve as evidence. Do not throw any of these items away or give them to an insurance adjuster or investigator.
- Place your bicycle in your garage or another area where it is out of the way and not exposed to rain and weather. This likely is the most important piece of evidence. Do not settle your property damage claim or release your bicycle until your bodily injury and lost wages claims have been resolved. To do so could be extremely detrimental to your case.
- Take several photographs of your injuries and resulting damage to your bicycle and gear as soon as is practical. Download these pictures on a CD or PEN drive for future reference.
- Do not provide a recorded statement (assume all telephone conversations are being recorded) to an adjuster or investigator.
- Obtain a copy of the Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report from the police department or other law enforcement agency.
- Contact The Ryder Law Firm and we will evaluate your case and further advise as to the best course of action to take.
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