Catastrophic Bicycle Accident Claims

Because bicyclists lack the same physical protection as people inside passenger vehicles, they can suffer serious injuries when a collision occurs. Even with a properly fitting helmet, a high-speed crash can be devastating. Here’s what to know about catastrophic bicycle accident injuries and when to consider filing a legal claim if you or a loved one were hit by a car while riding your bike.

What Makes a Bicycle Accident Catastrophic?

Typically, the level of injury a bicycle accident victim sustains is what differentiates a minor crash from a catastrophic one. The more a cyclist is hurt and the more these injuries impact their life, the more challenging the situation becomes. A catastrophic bicycle accident might require extensive hospitalization and put a victim out of work for several months or more.

Common Crash Scenarios

A driver fails to yield and crashes directly into a cyclist
A driver opens their door into the bike lane and knocks the cyclist down
A speeding driver fails to see a cyclist or cannot stop in time before impact
A distracted or intoxicated driver sideswipes a cyclist and pushes them off the road
A truck or other large vehicle hits a bicyclist

Examples of Catastrophic Bicycle Accident Injuries

Any type of bicycle crash can cause a devastating injury like:

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury can happen when a cyclist’s head comes into contact with a car, the ground, or another object. While a helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury by 65% to 88%, according to the Brain Injury Association of America, mild head injuries like a concussion can still have a severe impact.

Loss of Limb

Losing an arm or a leg is the last thing you think will happen when you ride your bike, but this may happen in a catastrophic accident. For example, if a driver pins a cyclist against a tree or guardrail, their extremities might become so damaged that amputation is necessary.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord can also happen in a major bicycle accident. Spinal cord damage may be permanent and lead to paralysis and lifelong disability. The closer to the neck that the spinal cord is damaged, the more body parts are affected.

Permanent Disfigurement or Scarring

Road rash or friction burns can happen if the cyclist is dragged during the accident or hits the ground at such a high speed that they skid for a period before coming to a stop. These injuries may require skin grafts and leave noticeable scars. If the cyclist’s face is affected, they may be permanently disfigured.

How Negligence Plays a Role

Contrary to popular belief that bicycle accidents are just an unavoidable risk of cycling, negligence contributes to many collisions. Here’s what this can look like:

The driver says they “didn’t see” the cyclist before the crash
The driver was going over the posted speed limit
The driver was using their cell phone or had been drinking before getting behind the wheel
The driver ran a stop sign or committed another traffic infraction
The cyclist had the right of way, which the driver ignored
The accident happened inside the bike lane where the driver had a duty to watch for cyclists

When to Consider a Bicycle Accident Claim

If you sustained serious injuries in a bicycle accident that will impact you long-term, you may want to consider filing a claim against the potential at-fault driver. This may be able to provide you with financial compensation to cover your medical bills, time you spent out of work, and other expenses related to the crash.

If you lost a loved one to a bicycle accident, a claim may help you recover compensation for things like funeral expenses and future wages your family member would have earned and contributed to the household. Other damages may also be allowed by law.

Challenges of a Catastrophic Bicycle Accident Claim

The more serious a bicycle crash is, the more complicated a claim may be. These accidents have much higher stakes, and the full value of the claim may not be clear until much later. Lost earning capacity is usually more significant compared to minor injury claims, as is the potential for ongoing pain and suffering. Settling too early may leave injured cyclists and their families without enough support later on.

Get In Touch with Mazow | McCullough, PC Today

At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we know bicycle accident claims. We have advocated for injured riders and their families for decades and have the experience needed to build the strongest case that facts allow.

Contact us today to learn more about how to file a claim or to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options. Call (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, you can still bring a claim. Although the driver’s insurance company may try to argue that your injuries would not have been as severe if you were wearing a helmet, the key issue is if a driver was negligent and caused an avoidable crash.

What if I was partially at fault for the collision?

In some cases, a bicyclist may share fault in their own accident. However, shared fault does not always prevent a claim. Depending on state law, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, or you may be barred from recovery if your share of fault is too high. .