Baltimore, Maryland Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Bike Accident Attorney Fighting for Victims in Baltimore, MD

The city of Baltimore has invested in cycling infrastructure in recent years, providing dedicated bike lanes and other features that are meant to ensure that bicycles can share the roads safely with motor vehicles. However, even with these improvements, bicyclists are at risk of harm when using the roads. When drivers do not fully pay attention, do not respect a cyclist's space, or do not follow basic traffic laws, they may cause bicycle accidents, and the results can be devastating.

A person on a bicycle has no structural protection to shield them from the impact of a collision. What may be a minor fender-bender for a driver could result in catastrophic injuries for a cyclist. In these situations, injury victims will need to understand their legal options. At Silverman Thompson, we represent cyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers, helping them navigate insurance claims, take legal action when necessary, and secure the financial compensation they deserve.

Serious Injuries Affecting Bicyclists in Collisions

The injuries that may affect bicycle accident victims include:

• Broken Bones: Fractures to the collarbones, wrists, arms, legs, and pelvis, among others, can occur in a collision between a vehicle and a bicycle. These fractures may require surgical repair, and extended physical rehabilitation often will be needed.
• Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Contact with asphalt can cause deep abrasions that may damage the skin. Soft tissues within the body, such as ligaments, cartilage, and muscles, also may be damaged. Recovery from serious sprains, torn muscles or ligaments, and dislocated joints can be painful, and physical therapy often will be needed to restore range of motion in the body parts that were affected.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: When tissues in the back or neck are damaged in a collision, a person may experience chronic pain and a loss of mobility. Serious injuries that cause damage to the spinal cord may leave a person paralyzed. Depending on the location of an injury, a victim may lose the use of their legs and lower body, or they may experience complete paralysis that will require assistance with breathing and daily activities.
• Internal Injuries: In a collision, a person's internal organs may be damaged, disrupting the function of their heart, lungs, intestines, or other bodily systems. Internal bleeding also may occur, and severe blood loss could put a victim at risk of death.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma is one of the most serious risks cyclists face, even if they are wearing helmets. A severe impact can lead to a concussion, brain hemorrhaging, or permanent brain damage. The effects of these injuries may be long-lasting or permanent.
• Facial and Dental Injuries: When a person is struck by a vehicle or lands on the ground, they may suffer injuries to the face and jaw, and reconstructive surgery may be needed.

How Distracted Driving Puts Cyclists in Danger

Distractions affecting drivers are some of the most significant threats that cyclists face on Baltimore's roads. A driver who is not fully focused on the road may not realize that a bicycle is traveling near their vehicle, or they may be unable to respond in time to avoid a collision with a cyclist.

The reasons drivers may become distracted are numerous. Handheld mobile device use is one of the key concerns that can affect safety on the roads. People may read and send text messages, hold phone conversations, scroll through apps, or look up directions, and when they take their attention away from the road to do so, they will be more likely to miss important details or make serious mistakes. Other common distractions include adjusting radio controls, eating and drinking, grooming, and turning around to check on children in the back seat.

For cyclists, the consequences of distracted driving can be severe. A driver who looks away from the road, even for a few seconds, may not notice that a bicycle is crossing the street ahead of them. They may change lanes and strike a bicycle traveling next to them, or they may collide with a bicycle from behind. All of these actions can lead to serious injuries for cyclists.

Aggressive and Unsafe Driving Around Cyclists

There are many types of unsafe behaviors by drivers that can lead to serious danger for people on bicycles. They include:

Unsafe Passing

When drivers pass bicycles that are traveling in lanes of traffic, they are required to maintain a safe distance. A driver who tries to pass a bicycle at a high speed with minimal clearance may strike the cyclist or force them off the road.

Failure to Yield at Intersections

Many bicycle accidents take place when drivers who are making turns do not check for cyclists who are traveling through intersections. A driver may turn left into the path of an approaching cyclist, or they may collide with a bicycle when running a red light or rolling through a stop sign.

Aggressive Behavior

Some drivers may respond to the presence of cyclists on the road with impatience or outright hostility. An aggressive driver may pass close to a bicycle with the intent to intimidate a cyclist or follow closely behind a bicycle without enough space to stop. Aggressive driving may leave no room for mistakes, and it can result in serious injuries for cyclists.

Speeding

At higher speeds, drivers may not have enough time to identify and react to cyclists. They may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision, or they could lose control when swerving and collide with bicycles. Drivers who travel at unsafe speeds in areas where bicycles share the road may be responsible for causing dangerous accidents.

Dooring Accidents

One type of bicycle accident that can result in serious injuries is known as "dooring," which takes place when a driver or passenger opens their door directly into the path of a cyclist. These accidents are common in urban areas like Baltimore, where cyclists may travel near vehicles that park on the side of the road.

A cyclist who is traveling at a normal speed may have very little time to react when a car door swings open without warning. The collision itself can throw a rider over the door and onto the pavement, leading to multiple types of injuries. Even when a cyclist manages to swerve to avoid the door, they may be struck by moving vehicles.

How Silverman Thompson Fights for Injured Cyclists

We have handled many of the largest bicycle accident cases in Baltimore, including cases that resulted in death. Our lawyers work to protect the rights of bicycle accident victims, fighting efforts by the negligent driver or their insurer to blame the cyclist. From the moment a client comes to us, we take steps to secure evidence before it disappears. Traffic camera footage, witness statements, police reports, data from the at-fault vehicle, and photographs of the scene and the bicycle all can be essential in establishing exactly what happened and who was responsible.

We will handle all contact with insurance companies on our clients' behalf, ensuring that adjusters will not pressure injured cyclists into making recorded statements or accepting unfavorable settlement offers. Our attorneys are prepared to negotiate firmly with insurers, and when necessary, we will take matters to court and fight for the compensation our clients deserve.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Bicycle Accident Lawyers

A bicycle accident can affect a victim's health, finances, and daily life in many ways. By speaking to a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, a victim can make sure they will be able to take the right steps to hold a negligent driver responsible for the harm they have suffered. To get the legal help needed in these situations, schedule a free consultation with Silverman Thompson by contacting our Baltimore bike accident attorneys at 410-385-2225.

Meet Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Andrew G. Slutkin, Senior Partner

Steven D. Silverman, Managing Partner

Ethan S. Nochumowitz, Partner

Jason T. Wasserman, Partner

Laura A. Simmons, Partner

Kurt E. Nachtman, Partner