California has consistently ranked in the top ten states for bike accident fatalities. In fact, the state had more bicycle accident deaths than any other in 2012 — with 338 riders killed by motor vehicles. This could certainly be attributed to the increased number of cyclists on the road thanks to the constant, comfortable weather we experience. The nicer it is, the more folks like to be out in the sunshine enjoying nature. Unfortunately, more cyclists on the road result in a higher likelihood of serious accidents involving bikes.

These incidents often involve a bicyclist and motor vehicles. While the driver in their vehicle may experience no damage to their car — or barely even feel the collision — such an event could cause life-threatening injuries to the rider of the bike. Even something as simple as being bumped by a vehicle could send a cyclist flying over their handlebars. So when an insurance company tries to claim that a low-speed collision doesn’t deserve significant financial compensation, it’s best if you have a Ventura bicycle accident attorney on your side.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries Suffered in Ventura

There are several circumstances that typically lead to bicycle accidents. The first we’ll discuss is also the most common that can lead to a serious accident. While sharing the road with other vehicles, a bicycle rider gets hit by a car that’s trying to veer into a lane and neglects to see the bicycle. Another common instance is exactly the opposite. Sometimes on the road, a cyclist can encounter something unexpected and swerve into oncoming traffic — resulting in getting hit by a vehicle. Lastly, there may be something on the road that the rider cannot avoid, such as sticks or rocks. Without time to avoid the object, they hit it and are thrown over their handlebars. These are all real examples of bike accidents in Ventura that have left cyclists severely injured.

Typically when you read about these accidents, there are a few injuries that most riders have in common. Because cyclists are mostly unprotected — except for a helmet — their whole body is exposed to trauma. Even so, some of the most common bicycle accident injuries involve the head. Head and brain injuries can cause lifelong medical expenses, but so can many of the other common physical harms. Spinal injuries, disfigurement, neck injuries, and even shattered bones can result in the need for continuing medical care just as easily as a traumatic brain injury. It’s damage to the head and spine. However, that results in most instances of wrongful death.

Internal injuries and broken bones can also take a serious toll on the human body. Organs can get bruised and severely damaged in a collision, especially if part of the body is run over by the vehicle or the bicycle lands on the abdomen with great force. These injuries can require surgeries and a lot of recovery time in the hospital. Broken bones are less life-threatening than some other injuries, but they still can have a big negative impact. You may be unable to go back to work or do normal daily activities for some time — all due to the reckless driving of someone else. This is especially true for those who ride their bikes as a form of commuting. If you are seriously injured, that may no longer be an option for you.

If you’ve been hurt so severely that your life is significantly changed — either permanently or temporarily — you may very well have a personal injury case. You don’t have to surrender to the pain and try to forget about the accident. This lifestyle of limited activity does not have to be your new normal. You also shouldn’t have to avoid continued medical treatment over concerns of medical expenses and co-pays. Your health is the number one priority. A bicycle accident lawyer in Ventura can fight to make sure you are fully and fairly compensated. This way, you can focus on getting healthy instead of dealing with insurers. Murphy & Murphy Law Offices would like to offer you a free consultation to help you understand your rights. Contact our law firm today.

Reducing Bicycle Accidents in Ventura

Ventura has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as one of the few places trying to make their area safer for bicyclists. There are strides being made to improve conditions on the road, and it is something that will benefit both motorists and cyclists alike. If you have tried riding your bike, it will not come as a surprise to you that roads in most areas of the country were built with motor vehicle traffic in mind. They totally exclude cyclists from the picture. Therefore, it is dangerous for bicycles to share the road with cars. This is particularly ironic, considering that California law states that bikes have equivalent rights on the road, and cars are required to share it with them. Ventura hopes to reduce cycling accidents by changing the design of roads to make them more accessible.

Unfortunately, there is another issue that leads to bicycle accidents and fatalities. Perhaps you’ve decided to go out to a party and know that you don’t want to drink and drive. You might think that riding your bike is the next best option. Unfortunately, tragic outcomes are just as likely when intoxicated bicycle accidents happen. When someone gets a DWI, it is because they were impaired and made a bad decision to operate a motor vehicle. The same thing is true when someone decides they’re going to ride a bicycle after heavy drinking. This, along with riding without a helmet, are the two leading causes of death in bicycle accidents. Not only can being intoxicated hurt your personal injury claim, but you’re essentially making an already dangerous activity more dangerous.

No one wants to deal with head injuries, serious bodily harm, or years of physical therapy. This means you should make the right decision and avoid riding a bicycle when intoxicated. If you were injured in an accident while drunk, though, do not hesitate to reach out to bicycle accident lawyers. Even if you were partially at fault for your accident, California law still allows for compensation when drivers of passenger vehicles are also at fault. Only a free personal injury consultation can help you understand your rights, so contact Murphy & Murphy Law Offices today.

Hiring a Ventura Bicycle Accident Lawyer

You wouldn’t settle for just any doctor to perform your surgery after your accident. Similarly, you should not settle for just any lawyer to represent your personal injury case. This is typically a very consequential decision people make after most accidents. The right attorney will be an experienced Ventura bicycle accident attorney who does not back down when insurance companies try to throw out your case. And rest assured, they will try to do this every time. It is too easy for them to simply blame the whole accident on you, even if you were not at fault. If they’re successful at this, it could leave you on the hook for lost wages, medical bills, and many other losses without fair compensation.

A good personal injury lawyer will be able to take your case to trial and know exactly how to defend your claim. When you are looking for the right person to handle your case, we are confident at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices that you won’t have to look any further than us. Here you’ll find a bicycle accident lawyer in Ventura that’s willing and able to do whatever it takes to ensure our clients are fairly compensated after suffering damages. Let us review your personal injury case in Ventura with a free consultation today. Contact us at (805) 330-3393 to get started today.