With so much concentration on car, truck and motorcycle accidents, people could well forget that riding an innocuous bicycle may also result in serious and even fatal injury.
Although not as prevalent as car or commercial vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents can and do happen with a frequency that may astound some.
What Bike Statistics Indicate
National bicycle accident statistics show that an alarming amount of injuries are incurred annually from bicycle related accidents, in fact:
- 1 million children, many under the age of 16 are seriously hurt each year in bicycle related accidents;
- Head injuries account for about 75% of all serious injuries and fatalities from bicycle accidents
- Additionally, cyclist can be fatally injured in auto to bicycle collisions. In 2008 alone, 716 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents. Such collisions account for only 1/3rd of all bicycle accidents but produce the majority of bike related deaths and crippling injury.
In many of these scenarios, riders were not at fault.
The injured cyclist or surviving family members should consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can properly study and examine the case and determine what causes of action may be available to you. In bicycle accident cases, product liability litigation against the company that made the defective bicycle or gear may be a possibility.
Recent Bicycle Accident Case in Point
A recent fatal bike accident in Huntington Beach stymied investigators and left a community reeling. It involved 67-year old Kevin Petrimoulx, who was killed just after 1 p.m. Sunday, a day after he fell of his bike while riding through his neighborhood.
Petrimoulx suffered from head injuries after crashing his bike at Greentree Lane south of Warner Avenue.
Although not wearing a helmet, the exact cause of the bike accident are unclear as no one had witnessed the actual event. Petrimoulx was found by passerby who noticed he was lying unconscious on the ground.
Unclear Circumstances
In such a situation it can be very difficult to ascertain what occurred. Did a car brush by him causing him to lose control? Did the brakes on the bicycle lock up suddenly and inexplicably, making the man fall and hit his head on the ground?
Investigators will slowly begin to piece the puzzle together and when they do they could just as likely find that faulty bike parts caused the calamity. Even though he was not wearing helmet, grieving family members may be able to pursue a product liability lawsuit against the bike manufacturer if this is the case.
Why Litigation in a Bicycle Accident Case?
The bike itself should function properly no matter what and there is no guarantee that a helmet would have saved the man’s life. Persuing litigation will give you the ability to find out exactly what happened, how it happened, the past and future harms and allow you to present your case in a manner so that it is being prepared for trial. An experience bicycle accident law firm will hire expert witnesses, doctors, engineers, accident reconstructionist, vocational rehabilitation counselors who will testify in your case.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney can help
At Slaughter and Slaughter we understand the complex nature of bicycle accident cases. What could look and feel as if it is cut and dry can often times be the very opposite. We have successfully handled numerous contested liability and serious injury bicycle accident cases.
Call us today toll free at 888.222.8286 or 310.882.6810 for a free case review. Our personal injury attorneys will go over your personal injury claim and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
When a loved one is injured seriously or dies needlessly there are ways to obtain justice. Contact our law office today and receive the financial reparation and emotional satisfaction you need after a loved one is senselessly take away from you.
