Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Rhode Island

Distracted and reckless driving are two common ways that bicyclists collide with motor vehicles. But no matter the cause, every bicycle accident has the potential to cause severe injuries to you or your loved one. These injuries can significantly impact your work and home life and are deserving of compensation.

A Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer from Sands Law is capable of helping you recover this much-needed compensation. Demystify the tangled web of civil lawsuits and insurance claims with help from one of our experienced advocates. 

Let us help you with the all-important task of asserting your legal rights. As a result, you and your family can have the financial resources you need to recover from your accident.

Injuries Rhode Island Bicyclists Suffer in Accidents

Even if you are wearing a helmet at the time of your accident, you are at risk of a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, and other significant harm in a bicycle wreck. The injuries you sustain can impact you and your family long after the accident itself, requiring continuing treatment or modification of your routines, work, and daily habits.

The following are some of the most commonly encountered injuries that your Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer can assist you with:

1. Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Your head and back protect two of the most vital parts of your nervous system: your brain and spinal cord. These two organs control not only your ability to move your arms and legs but also your bodily systems, mood, and cognitive functioning.

You may experience numbness or lose the use of your arms or legs. You could also experience memory loss or suffer from recurring headaches and seizures. These effects of a brain or spinal cord injury can be temporary or permanent.

In some extreme cases, brain injuries can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70,000 people in the United States died from a brain injury in 2021.

Hitting your head or landing hard on your back after falling off your bike are just two of the ways that trauma can be inflicted on your brain and spinal cord. Seeking medical attention after a bicycle accident can help identify, treat, and mitigate the harm of these potentially severe injuries.

2. Contusions and Internal Injuries

In a bicycle crash, you can easily hit different parts of your body against your bike’s handlebars or other solid objects. This can lead to contusions, or bruising, of the skin and underlying tissue. While bruising may be painful, it typically resolves on its own with time and basic first aid.

More severe internal injuries can occur, however, if you strike your abdomen or sustain trauma to your internal organs. Trauma to your spleen, for example, can cause it to rupture, which is a potentially life-threatening condition that can require surgery.

3. Broken Bones

The bones of your arms, legs, and pelvis are all strong, but they can fracture partially or completely in a bicycle crash. Fractures are common injuries, with about 6.8 million cases occurring every year. If you are older or have certain conditions like osteoporosis, you could be at a greater risk of suffering a bone fracture.

Immobilization of the broken bone is necessary to help the fracture heal. More significant fractures could require surgery to insert pins, screws, or other devices to stabilize the affected area.

Any one of these injuries can require one or more trips to the hospital or doctor’s office. Your ability to earn an income may also be affected if you cannot work or if you require additional rest.

These financial concerns are why it is so crucial to retain an experienced Rhode Island bicycle accident law firm like Sands Law soon after your accident. You could be entitled to compensation for these expenses and losses — but only if you take timely action. Let Sands Law and our quality advocates go to work for you and your family.

What to Do Following a Bicycle Wreck in Rhode Island

A bicycle accident happens in the blink of an eye. But the choices you make thereafter can mean the difference between a full recovery and lasting complications, as well as between complete compensation and no compensation at all. At Sands Law, our Rhode Island bicycle accident attorney recommends that you consider taking these steps:

1. Get Emergency Treatment for Serious Injuries

Your health should be your top concern following a bicycle accident. If you are in the way of vehicular traffic, try to move yourself or get help moving out of the path of traffic. However, if moving causes significant pain, or if you cannot feel your arms or legs, it is best to remain still until help arrives.

If you believe you have sustained any injury to your head or neck, if you cannot feel or move your extremities, or if you are bleeding and cannot control it, call 911 and request an ambulance. Otherwise, make plans to visit your local hospital emergency room as soon as you can for an evaluation.

2. Record What You Remember About the Wreck

Unless you have sustained a brain injury, your memory is likely to be at its best immediately following the accident. Record in some way what you remember about the crash and how it occurred. This will help your Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer prepare your lawsuit and assist you with insurance claims.

3. Make a Report to Law Enforcement

If you suffered any kind of injury, you should make a police report about your crash. The importance of talking with the police increases if the driver who hit you fled the scene or did not identify themselves. In this case, law enforcement will need as much information about the at-fault driver as possible to attempt to locate the driver.

When making your report with law enforcement, try to provide only the necessary facts about who was involved in the wreck and where it occurred. Do not admit any fault to law enforcement or suggest that you were somehow responsible for the crash without first talking with a Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer.

4. Speak with an Experienced Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Law Firm

Before or soon after making your police report, reach out and consult with a qualified Rhode Island bicycle accident attorney like those found at Sands Law. Involving them early on in the process provides many benefits. For instance, it gives your attorney the opportunity to:

• Investigate your crash and file the appropriate lawsuits or insurance claims
• Ensure your claims are filed within the state’s three-year statute of limitations 
• Speak on your behalf to anyone involved in your case, including law enforcement
• Help you protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of success

Whether you end up in arbitration, mediation, or at trial, Sands Law is a knowledgeable and resourceful Rhode Island bicycle accident law firm committed to your full recovery. Contact our firm right away if you or a loved one have been hurt in a bicycle wreck.

Contact Sands Law for Help with Your Case

Bicycle accidents can present a variety of difficulties and challenges. But an experienced and knowledgeable Rhode Island bicycle accident law firm like Sands Law can assist you with taking decisive and helpful actions.

You are entitled to seek compensation if a careless driver or motorist caused your injuries, and Sands Law can help you hold them accountable. Contact Sands Law today so we can get started on your case. Initial consultations are always free of charge.