If you have been hit by a car while riding your bicycle or you have a loved one who has been in this type of accident, it is imperative that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Due to the unique circumstances that can exist with this type of accident, there are a few things you should understand.

An insurance company may blame you for the accident

If you have been in an accident with a car while riding your bicycle, you may think it is an open-and-shut case. The driver is clearly to blame, and you will receive a good settlement offer. Nothing could be further from the truth. The driver's insurance company may attempt to convince you that you are partly to blame for the accident, if not completely to blame.

Bicycle accidents with cars can be different from other traffic accidents

Although a bicycle rider is subject to the same rules of the road as a car, seldom are they traveling in the middle of the road. The most common is for the rider to be traveling on the far right side of the road. Although it seems safer, there are many accidents that happen here, and they are different than other traffic accidents, including those of a motorcycle. A parked car can open a door without noticing a bike rider and cause a serious collision. An attorney who understands many of the unique circumstances of traffic accidents involving a bicyclist can help increase the chances of getting all of the compensation you are entitled to.

Punitive damages are often more common than in other traffic accidents

Due to the nature of injuries sustained by a bicyclist and the reckless nature that is often attributed to drivers responsible for hitting a bicyclist, there are often punitive damages awarded along with compensatory damages. This type of monetary award is designed to punish the person responsible for the accident. The idea is to create a deterrent to people being careless in the future. In this case, it is the hope that drivers will be more aware and considerate of bicyclists. These types of damages can be awarded by a judge after winning your case. However, an attorney, knowing that these damages may be awarded by a judge, may be able to get a higher settlement for you.

Thousands of bicyclists are injured by cars every year. Many of the injuries are serious enough to require intensive medical treatments. The injuries sustained can be felt for the rest of a person's life and have a profound effect on the quality of an individual's life. Although money can never fully compensate for many of these injuries, it can help alleviate some of the suffering. An attorney with experience representing bicyclists who have been injured by cars will give you the best chance at a maximum settlement.

Speak with a personal injury attorney to learn more.