About 1,000 bicyclists are killed every year on the roads of Kentucky and all across the U.S., while nearly 470,000 sustain injuries, according to the CDC. Although most people think that bicycle accident deaths usually involve other cars, the opposite appears to be true. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a staggering 96% of the bicyclists killed in the U.S. are involved in single-bicycle accidents. While bicycles are responsible for only about 1% of all trips in our country, bicycle riders face a higher risk of sustaining permanent and fatal injuries.
If you were in a single-bicycle accident and no other vehicle was involved, speak with our Kentucky bicycle accident lawyer from Roberts Law Office. It can be challenging to pursue a personal injury claim in single-bicycle accidents because insurance companies will want to have solid evidence showing that you were not entirely at fault for the crash.
9-Year-Old Kentucky Girl Killed in a Single-Bicycle Crash
A small town in Kentucky was mourning after a nine-year-old girl died in a “freak accident” while riding a bicycle, according to WLKY News. The fatal bicycle accident occurred in Hodgenville, Larue County when the girl was celebrating her 9th birthday. Authorities said that the girl’s artery was severed after she hit a curb and wrecked her bike. Charlene was pronounced dead at the scene not far from her home. The girl is survived by her parents, three brothers, and a sister.
How do Single-Bicycle Accidents Occur?
Causes of bicycle collisions without other cars can happen due to:
- Badly designed roadways
- Poor lighting conditions
- Potholes
- Grooved pavement
- Exposed tree roots on sidewalks
- Bicycle defects
- Deviations in the roadways
- Kicked up or loose gravel
- Slippery or icy roadways
- Incorrect or missing road signs
For example, if your bicycle runs over a pothole, you could lose control of your bike at even a low to moderate speed. As you lose control, there is a high risk of falling or being thrown from the bicycle.
Can You Recover Damages After a Single-Bicycle Accident?
As we have mentioned, single-bicycle accidents are responsible for almost all of the bicyclist fatalities in the country. However, it does not make it easier to recover damages when there were no other vehicles involved. Many bicycle riders who injure themselves after falling or being thrown from their bike wrongly believe that they cannot seek compensation simply because there was not another vehicle involved. It is not uncommon for Kentucky attorneys to refuse to handle single-bicycle accidents. But personal injury lawyers at Roberts Law Office are not like the rest of the lawyers. We handle complex cases that most attorneys will not touch.
Who can be Held Responsible for Your Single-Bicycle Crash?
Several parties can be liable for a single-bicycle accident, including the city and municipal agencies responsible for the defective roadway or hazardous conditions. When recovering damages after a single-bicycle accident in Kentucky, you need to do the following:
- Identify the actual defect or dangerous condition.
- Document your injuries.
- Determine who owns, controls, and maintains the roadway where the crash occurred.
- Contact a Kentucky bicycle accident lawyer to determine responsible parties, calculate damages and losses, and pursue monetary compensation.
Schedule a free consultation with Roberts Law Office to discuss your particular case. Call at (859) 231-0202 to get started.