A Bicyclist Should Take This Action If A Negligent Driver Strikes Them
Mark A. Steinberg
Personal Injury
A lot of people ride bicycles in Florida. It is not just an activity for kids anymore, although they still enjoy it. Employees take bikes to work, students ride them to school, and tourists use them to go sightseeing.
Bicyclists can be found all over the Sunshine State, including right here in Sarasota. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. Individuals can save themselves some cash by not having to buy fuel or car insurance. It is also an excellent way to lose weight and build muscles. Go ahead, give it a try, and you will soon see the results in your waistline and calves.
However, biking is not always all it is cracked up to be. It can be dangerous at times too. After all, cyclists must share the roadways with car drivers, tractor-trailer operators, and motorcyclists. If one of them commits a negligent act, someone’s life may change forever, and not for the better.
Bicyclists do not have the same protections that motorists have. Their bikes are not equipped with seat belts or airbags. They do not even have roofs or doors. Thus, when they get struck by vehicles, severe injuries can enter the picture. People can also die in the events, but we will only discuss wounds in this post. Ailments vary on a case-by-case basis, but they often include the following:
Head Trauma
Road Rash And Lacerations
Fractures And Broken Bones
Paralysis
Loss Of Limbs
Bicyclists lucky enough to escape those incidents with their lives intact are not out of the woods. They sometimes need surgeries and hospital stays. Not to mention, years of physical therapy can become part of the equation as the victims have to be able to walk, feed themselves, or do other activities again. With healthcare costs today, the price tag of recovering can get out of hand in a hurry.