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Riding a bicycle to school or work is a great alternative to driving a car or taking public transportation. It is more economical, it is more environmentally friendly, and sometimes it is even quicker. For many people, it is also a fun way to get more exercise and enjoy a beautiful New England day. Unfortunately, bike accidents can and do happen in the downtown area, the side streets of Cambridge, and elsewhere in the many smaller neighborhoods that make up the greater Boston area. Seeking fair compensation following a cycling accident can be a time-consuming and difficult endeavor, so it is best to speak to a Boston bicycle accident lawyer right away if you or a family member has been hurt. The Bellotti Law Group helps victims suffering from common injuries in bicycle accidents hold negligent motorists, businesses, and others accountable for their injuries and damages.
Common Injuries in Bicycle AccidentsBecause of the nature of a biking accident, it is highly likely that it will be the bicyclist rather than the careless motorist who suffers the more severe injuries in a bicycle-automobile crash in the Boston area. If the cyclist is thrown off his or her bike, lacerations and contusions are almost guaranteed, especially in warmer weather when lighter clothing is worn and more skin is exposed. “Road rash” can be so serious that it requires multiple skin grafts. Fractures are also common, especially of the scaphoid, femur, radius, or ulna, but sometimes of other bones as well.
Some of the most severe bicycle injuries come in the form of closed head trauma. Tragically, debilitating concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not uncommon in cycling crashes. Symptoms of a brain injury can include confusion, agitation, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. While many TBI victims eventually recover at least some function, someone who has suffered a severe injury to his or her brain may be left in a coma or even suffer brain death. Spinal cord injuries can also occur in a bicycle crash, potentially leaving the victim a paraplegic or quadriplegic.
Seeking Fair Payment to Assist with Medical Expenses and Other DamagesIn order to pursue fair compensation for such injuries, or for a loved one’s wrongful death in the case of a fatal biking collision, the plaintiff must first file a claim asserting a case of negligence against the responsible party. This is usually the motorist whose careless conduct led to the accident, but it can be additional parties, such as the motorist’s employer if he or she was on the job.
While a bicycle accident victim may receive a small amount of personal injury protection (PIP) benefits without proving fault, these payments will probably not be anywhere near the amount of money that it takes to pay the medical expenses of a person who has suffered many of the common injuries in bicycle accidents. In order to receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering arising from the accident, the plaintiff and their attorney have the burden of proving that the defendant breached a duty of care owed to the plaintiff and that this breach of duty was the proximate cause of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff.
Talk to an Experienced Injury Attorney About a Serious Bicycling AccidentThe statute of limitations restricts the time in which a bike crash victim can bring a claim against a driver or another person or entity responsible for their injuries. Acting promptly also can be critical in preserving and gathering the evidence that a victim and their attorney need to prove liability. Thus, it is very important that someone who has been hurt in a biking accident retain an assertive, experienced injury attorney who will help fight for the justice that he or she deserves. The Bellotti Law Group represents victims in cities such as Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Newton, Waltham, Concord, Revere, Braintree, Quincy, and Weymouth. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, call us now at 617-225-2100 or complete our online form.