Vancouver BC Personal Injury Lawyers - Stephens and Holman

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

What To Do If You’re in a Bicycle Accident

Because more and more people are starting to use bicycles as their main form of transportation, there are more opportunities for accidents involving cars and bikes. Taking the proper precautions when riding a bike is imperative to staying safe. This includes understanding the rules of the road and wearing the proper safety equipment. Unfortunately, even when all of the proper precautions are taken, accidents still occur.

If you choose to ride your bike on or near busy roadways, it is important to know what to do if you are ever in an accident:

  1. Don’t panic and try to stay calm and focused. This is easier said than done, but it can make a huge difference in your ability to deal with the situation.
  2. Call the police and medical personnel. It is important to file a police report even if there are only minor injuries.
  3. Check for injury. It is best to stay still until medical personnel can check you for injury, but if you are bleeding profusely you may need to move in order to control the bleeding.
  4. Make sure you are safe. While it is recommended that you stay still until medical help arrives, if you are in harm’s way, it is important to move to a safe location until help arrives to avoid further injury.
  5. Identify the people involved in the accident. Make sure you get everyone’s license, registration, address, and contact information before anyone leaves the scene.
  6. Look for witnesses to the accident. Get as much information as possible from witnesses. This information may be important should you file for legal action.

If you or someone close to you has been involved in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, please contact our office for a free consultation. Our experienced accident attorneys will help you sort through all the details and file a claim for legal action. We are on your side and we will help you recover any damage you may be entitled to.

posted by PaulaB at 9:00 AM

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycling is becoming a more common form of transportation these days. They are the number one way to save money on gas and the exercise is beneficial to the health of the rider. Unfortunately, these bicyclists must still ride on or near our busy roadways and accidents continue to occur.

Accidents involving bicycles typically result from a car hitting the bicyclist. This can be due to an inexperienced driver or the driver’s lack of attention to their surroundings. The most common injuries sustained from bicycle accidents are:
  • Brain injuries including skull fractures, concussions and contusions
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Spinal and neck injuries

Accidents involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle can be devastating. Even wearing a helmet will not prevent most serious injuries. The human body is no match for pavement and fast moving motor vehicles. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident from the negligence of another driver, then you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for the following:
  • Medical bills incurred from the accident
  • Loss of wages due to the accident
  • Loss of earning capacity or potential due to the accident
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement and emotional distress

If you or someone you love has been in a bicycle accident, please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced accident lawyers to receive a complimentary consultation and advice about your claim. We can help you navigate through the confusing accident laws and get you the money you deserve.

posted by Patti at 1:21 PM

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Due to the high gas prices, there are more motorcycles on the road than ever before. While this is a very ethical way to save money on gas, these drivers are much more vulnerable to injury from other careless drivers on the road. Even when the motorcycle driver is wearing all of the appropriate protective gear, they are still at a higher risk of sustaining serious injury or death in an accident with another vehicle.

Thankfully in Canada, there are motorcycle helmet laws that require drivers to wear a helmet, which can cut down on the severity of head injuries. In the US, there are still states which don’t have mandatory helmet laws. The most common injuries (often resulting in death) from motorcycle accidents are:

If you or a member of your family has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to receive legal counsel as soon as possible. Even if the accident is minor and no serious injuries are sustained, it is still wise to consult with an experienced accident attorney who can help you understand symptoms that could arise later. Our experienced attorneys know the laws surrounding these types of accident and can help you receive any monetary compensation that you may be eligible for.

posted by Patti at 1:16 PM

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