New Hampshire Bicycle Accident Attorneys: Bike Accidents
Recreational bicycle riding has long been popular in New Hampshire. The number of people commuting by bicycle has been increasing in recent years. For road bikers, many communities are creating bike lanes in roadways. Old railroad beds are being reclaimed for those who like off-road biking, There are many upsides when more people opt for a bike over an automobile. These include the health benefits from the physical exertion of peddling a bike. There are also environmental benefits from fewer fuel-burning cars on our roadways.
When automobiles and bicycles share the roadways, however, there is the potential for accidents and injuries. With the growing incidence of distracted driving, there is an even greater risk of accidents and injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 467,000 bicycle-related injuries and 1,000 bicycling fatalities in the United States in 2015.
The New Hampshire bicycle accident attorneys at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC have repeatedly seen the effects of motor vehicle collisions with bicycles that have caused devastating injuries. This includes concussions, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and many other injuries that can be severe, life-threatening, and sometimes fatal.
Dangers From Distracted Drivers
As New Hampshire bicycle accident attorneys, we know that bicycle accidents can occur under a variety of scenarios. This is often due to a driver’s failure to check bike lanes in intersections or when changing lanes. Other common biking accident scenarios include:
• Failure to yield to cyclists with the right of way
• Colliding with cyclists at stop signs or traffic signals
• Side-swiping cyclists on busy streets
• Backing into a bicyclist while navigating a parking lot or recreational area
• Operating a vehicle at excessive speeds in areas heavily populated with cyclist
Steps to Take for Bicycle Accident Injuries
Many bicyclists we see on our roadways are very avid riders. They are often on their bikes every day, but even the most experienced cyclist can become involved in a serious collision. If you or someone you are riding with is injured in a biking accident, take the same precautions you would anytime an injury has been suffered. Seek immediate medical attention as major injuries often initially seem minor.
Here is our advice for bicycle accident victims
• Take care of your medical needs. Few things are more important than your health. A delay in necessary treatment can result in a worsening of an injury or a delay in recovery time.
• Note the date, time, and location of the crash. This is extremely important information.
• Call the police. Call the police who will identify the parties involved. Ask how you can get a copy of their report for your records.
• Gather detailed information. Take note of the vehicle(s) involved in the collision. Get the license plate number and state, and the year, make, model, and color of the vehicle(s).
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. This will be helpful information during an investigation.
• Take photos. If you have a phone or a camera, document the scene. This includes photos that will show the weather and road conditions.
Contact the New Hampshire Bicycle Accident Attorneys at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC
If you suffer injuries through no fault of your own in a biking accident, it is essential to have New Hampshire bicycle accident attorneys representing you from the onset of your case through litigation. Big insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their interests and you should too! For a free consultation with the experienced NH injury lawyers at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC, call 603-624-7200, complete a “contact us” form on our website, or send us an email.
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