Baton Rouge Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Advocating for Your Rights After a Negligent Accident

Riding a bike is a convenient way to get exercise while also traveling from point A to point B. Unfortunately, because many bike riders share the road with cars, bicycle accidents are becoming more common. Passenger cars are much larger than bikes, and many accident victims suffer severe injuries with long-term consequences.

If you’ve been in a bike accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other expenses. Working with an experienced attorney allows you to rest and recover from your injuries while also receiving payment for your damages. At Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, we advocate for bicycle accident victims in Baton Rouge and around Louisiana.

Please don’t feel like you must go through this challenging situation on your own. To learn more about bicycle accident claims or our services, call our law firm at (225) 263-6194 for a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents?

Like car accidents, bicycle accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons. If your accident was caused by another driver or biker’s negligence, then you have the right to demand compensation through a bicycle accident claim. Understanding the cause of your accident will help you pursue legal action.

The most common causes of bike accidents in Louisiana include:

Distracted Driving

All drivers are required to keep their eyes ahead and their hands on the wheel. Unfortunately, drivers encounter many distractions, including texting, talking on the phone, eating, or even changing the radio. Drivers might miss a bicyclist on the road if they aren’t paying attention.

Driving Too Close

Louisiana bicycle law states that drivers must maintain at least three feet of space between their car and a bicycle in front of them. When cars follow bicycles too closely, it can cause rear-end accidents and collisions.

Speeding

Speeding cars have much less time to slow down or stop when they see a bicyclist. Disobeying traffic laws is a form of negligence that often leads to accidents.

Opening a Car Door

Also called “dooring,” opening a car door while parked on the street can cause dangerous bicycle crashes. Drivers must look to make sure there are no bikes coming before getting out of their car.

Merging or Turning

It can be hard to anticipate when a bicycle is merging or turning. Since bikes don’t have turn signals, cars need to slow down and use caution when driving near a bicycle rider.

Entering the Street

Cars that are backing out of a driveway or exiting a parking lot may only be watching for cars, not bikes. When drivers don’t stop in time, bicycle riders can be hurt.

What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Bicycle Accident?

Because bike riders have much fewer safety protections than cars, a bicycle crash has the potential to cause severe injuries. Bicycle accident victims often spend thousands on medical bills and other expenses.

The most common injuries sustained in a bicycle accident include:

Brain Injuries

Injured cyclists often hit their heads, leading to head or brain injuries. While wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a brain injury, it doesn’t eliminate it completely. Traumatic brain injuries can cause symptoms like headaches, slurred speech, memory issues, and blurred vision. While some victims make a full recovery, others are left with permanent symptoms.

Road Rash

When a bicyclist is knocked off their bike, they may slide against the pavement or sidewalk. This friction often causes road rash, an injury that’s similar to a burn. There’s a high chance of infection after road rash, and severe cases could require skin grafts.

Facial Injuries

Injuries to the face can lead to permanent disfigurement and scarring. If a bicyclist hits their face on the ground or their handlebars, they could break their bones or their teeth. Some facial injuries require plastic surgery.

Broken Bones

Because bicycle accidents often cause riders to fall onto the road, broken bones are relatively common. Bikers may break their hands or wrists while catching themselves, or they could break their legs if they fall at an odd angle. Some broken bones will heal with just a cast, while others may require surgery and physical therapy.

Back or Neck Injuries

Back and neck injuries can have permanent symptoms and life-long consequences. Spinal cord injuries can result in temporary or permanent paralysis. Many neck injuries result in chronic pain, tingling, or numbness throughout the extremities. Victims may develop a permanent disability and require life-long medical treatment.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover?

When pursuing a bicycle accident claim, you can request compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of the accident. Your damages may differ from other people’s, as every bicycle accident case is different. Our legal team will meet with you to discuss your damages and how much compensation you might receive.

Generally, victims request compensation for the following:

Economic Damages

These damages include anything with a specific price tag that you spent money on or lost money on. Economic damages often include:

Medical expenses, both present and future
Lost wages from time off work
Property damage repair
Loss of future income

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are related to your suffering and overall well-being. They often include:

Emotional distress
Mental anguish
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability

What Are the Bike Laws in Louisiana?

As a bicyclist, it’s helpful to know what the applicable laws are for Baton Rouge and the state. Under Louisiana state law, bicyclists must follow these regulations:

Bike riders have the same rights and duties as drivers on the road. This means that bicyclists must follow all traffic laws
Children under the age of 12 must wear a helmet on a bicycle
Bicyclists riding under the influence can be charged with public intoxication
Bicyclists cannot cling to vehicles while riding a bike
Bicycles can only carry the number of people for which the bike is designed

Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Your emotional and physical injuries after a bike accident may be severe. If you were hurt in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you need an attorney on your side.

Our team at Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, is here to protect your rights and get you the outcome you deserve. We can identify liable parties, negotiate with insurance companies, take your case to court, and more. You have a much higher chance of recovering compensation when you work with a legal representative. For more information about our services, please call us today at (225) 263-6194.