Glen Burnie Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycling in Glen Burnie offers residents a healthy, environmentally friendly way to commute and explore the area. However, when bicycle riders are forced to share the road with careless or inattentive drivers, collisions are likely to happen — and often with devastating consequences for the cyclist. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash, our Glen Burnie bicycle accident lawyers can help you pursue justice and compensation.
Bicycle Accidents Are Often Caused by Driver Negligence
Maryland law imposes many duties on cyclists to ride safely, including obeying all applicable traffic laws, using bike lanes where available, and staying to the far right side of the road as much as practicable. Motorists, for their part, are required to share the road safely. That includes not occupying bike lanes, giving at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle, and not returning to the lane until the driver can observe the cyclists in their rearview mirror.
While Maryland law provides bicyclists with the same rights and responsibilities in using the road as motorists, not all drivers respect those rights. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Glen Burnie include:
- Drivers failing to yield to cyclists at intersections
- Motorists turning into the path of oncoming bicycles
- Drivers opening car doors into a cyclist’s path (dooring)
- Following too closely or aggressive driving near bicyclists
- Distracted or impaired driving
Even a low-speed collision can cause catastrophic injuries to a cyclist. Without the protection of a vehicle, bicyclists are highly vulnerable to trauma from impact with a vehicle, the road surface, or other fixed objects. Because bicycles offer minimal protection, injuries from bike accidents tend to be severe. Common serious injuries bicycle accident victims may suffer include:
- Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Road rash and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Dental and facial trauma
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work. In some cases, the cyclist may be left with long-term or permanent disabilities.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Glen Burnie
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle crash in Glen Burnie, your first priority should be your health. Get medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some serious conditions may not present symptoms right away but can get worse if left untreated.
When and if you are able, take the following steps to protect your legal rights: Report the accident to the police and request a copy of the report; get the contact and insurance information of the driver involved; gather witness statements and contact information; and take photos of the scene, your bike, and your injuries.
Avoid speaking with the driver’s insurance company before consulting a lawyer. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame to the bicyclist, especially here in Maryland, where the state’s strict contributory negligence rule can bar recovery if the cyclist is found even 1% at fault.
How Maryland Injury Lawyers Can Help
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges that injured cyclists face. Our team will work to preserve evidence, establish fault, and build a strong case for compensation. We can help you recover damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning potential, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and all the other ways a driver’s negligence has negatively impacted your life.
We have experience dealing with complex accident reconstruction, and we understand the misconceptions that some insurance adjusters and jurors may have against bicyclists. Our team fights hard to ensure that injured riders are treated fairly and compensated fully for their losses.
Local Experience Matters
Many of Glen Burnie’s streets and roads, such as Ritchie Highway, Crain Highway, and Governor Ritchie Highway, are busy thoroughfares where bicycle traffic and motor vehicle traffic often meet. Our lawyers know the local road conditions, traffic patterns, and common accident locations. This local insight can make a critical difference when investigating an accident and advocating for your best interests.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Glen Burnie bicycle accident, legal advice and representation can help ensure you get the care and compensation you need. The personal injury lawyers at Maryland Injury Lawyers are here to provide that help. We offer free consultations, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Call today to speak with a knowledgeable Glen Burnie bicycle accident lawyer and take the first step toward justice and recovery.
