Sideswipe Bicycle Accidents in OKC

Ylla | Gosney represents sideswipe bicycle accident victims in OKC. One of the most common bicycle accidents is a sideswipe accident, typically caused by a careless driver who isn’t paying attention or fails to slow down around bicyclists.

If a vehicle sideswipes you on the road, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, property damage, and emotional trauma. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Ylla and Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Sideswipe Bicycle Accident in OKC?

Bicyclists in OKC have an abundance of bike lanes to choose from. Many of the streets in OKC are bicycle-friendly, allowing cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to share the road together and commute throughout the city. The State of Oklahoma even provides bicycle lane safety education and resources to keep cyclists safe on the road.

However, with motorists and bicyclists traveling so frequently throughout the city, the slightest mistake from anyone else on the road can result in catastrophic, life-altering injuries for cyclists. For that reason, it is recommended to consult with a Personal Injury Attorney at Ylla Gosney if:

• There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
• It resulted in a wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
• Fault is in question: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
• Multiple parties were involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
• A false police report was given: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.

Get the legal support you need after a bicycle accident by contacting an experienced Personal Injury Attorney today to receive the maximum compensation for your damages.

What is a Sideswipe Bicycle Accident?

While bicyclists have the same right to the road as other drivers in OKC, motorists often fail to pay attention to bicyclists, or they fail to offer them the same level of care as other drivers on the road. When this happens, bicyclists suffer serious injuries. One of the most common causes for these types of accidents is called a “sideswipe.”

A sideswipe bicycle accident happens when a vehicle pulls up next to a bicyclist and suddenly turns in front of them, causing the bicyclist to crash into the motorist or, in worse cases, become trapped underneath the vehicle. These accidents sound horrific, but they unfortunately occur often in highly congested areas like downtown Oklahoma City.

That’s why it is important for bicyclists to understand their legal right to compensation because these accidents are not only life-altering but extremely expensive to recover from.

OKC Bicycle Safety Code

Many bicyclists in OKC ride their bike for fun, good exercise, or to get from place to place. However, sharing the road with motorists can increase the risk of injury for bicyclists. According to Brookhaven National Laboratory for Safety and Health Services, about 800 people lose their lives in fatal bicycle accidents every year, with one-fourth of those victims being children between the ages of 5 and 14.

OKC has designed specific rules to keep bicyclists safe, as well as to make motorists aware of bicyclists’ rights to the road:

1. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this State and the traffic provisions of this Code applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
2. Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.
3. Cyclists must ride as close to the right-hand side of the roadway as is safely possible. An exception is when using a road designated and marked as a bicycle route, where cyclists can use the entire right-most lane.
4. Cyclists can pass other cyclists and vehicles traveling in the same direction when safe to do so.
5. Cyclists can’t ride on sidewalks within business districts.

Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in OKC

According to the National Safety Council, not only are bicycle accidents involving serious injuries on the rise, but so are the number of fatal bicycle accidents that occur each year. This has to do with the rapid growth of certain cities, especially more economically appealing and outdoor-centric places like Oklahoma City. The most common reasons for bicycle accidents include:

• Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
• Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in California. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
• Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): this action is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in California.

What is the Typical Compensation for Sideswipe Bicycle Accidents in OKC?

There is no set dollar amount for the trauma and pain experienced by bicycle accident victims. However, a Personal Injury Lawyer will help you understand the value of your case by calculating your economic damages (such as lost wages and medical bills) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety). These damages combined include:

• Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
• General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
• Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
• Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages

Contact Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law

If you or your loved one has been injured in a sideswipe bicycle accident in OKC, Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law can help. While bicyclists are typically blamed by other motorists and insurance companies for causing accidents, our firm stands up on behalf of injured bicyclists and protects their right to fair compensation. You’re not alone in this fight. Contact Ylla | Goseny today for a free consultation and put the OKC legal experts on your side.