Bicycle Accidents in Atlantic City – Bike Accident Advice

 The Jersey Shore attracts hundreds of thousands of out-of-towners to its beaches, boardwalks and Casinos each summer.  Along with the influx of people comes increased traffic and the potential for accidents to occur.  Not only is motor vehicle traffic more prevalent in the summer, but the number of bicyclists’ increases as well.  Cars, trucks, bicyclists and pedestrians all sharing the roadway creates a hectic environment which means it is even more important to stay alert, especially as a driver.

According to criminal defense lawyers practicing in Woburn, the most common accident related injuries for bicyclists involve head and brain injuries, neck and back injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries.  The effect of these accidents can be devastating and even fatal. You can read about ride and share accident responsibility here. In addition, in the case of an injury, depending on the severity, you could face between 6-18 months in jail and up to a $10,000 fine. If there is a death, the driver could be charged with vehicular homicide, which involves between 5-10 years in jail and up to a $150,000 fine. In incidents like this, you might want to consult a criminal defense lawyer who is experienced in criminal defense law cases if you are responsible for the injury or death of a person.

 Did you know?

• According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, in 2015 in the United States, over 1,000 bicyclists died and there were almost 467,000 bicycle-related injuries.

For obvious reasons, the bicyclist is far more likely to sustain severe injuries when involved in an accident with a motor vehicle.  What occurs immediately after these types of accidents can be critical to a potential personal injury claim.  If you are involved in a bicycle accident, make sure to follow these steps:

• Call and wait for the police to arrive so a police report can be completed;
• Obtain driver and witness contact information if available. Be sure to get the name of the driver, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
• Document what happened. Write down the events which took place for future reference.
• Record your injuries. Be sure to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and take photos as soon as possible.
• Preserve your evidence. Leave your bike and other damaged property in the same condition it was after the accident.
• Contact a personal injury attorney to be advised of your rights. The attorneys specific to deal with such cases are recommended to know what to do.