Ann Arbor is a bicycle-friendly community with more than 270 miles of bike lanes and shared-use paths. When using shared roadways, motorists and bicyclists must both take care to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, when cars and bikes collide, the cyclist is almost certain to experience more severe injuries. Bicyclists are vulnerable when riding on Michigan roadways. Unlike cars or trucks, which have safety features like a reinforced passenger compartment, seatbelts, and airbags, bicyclists are comparatively unprotected and face a high risk of injury if they are involved in a bike vs car accident. A collision that would be a minor fender bender between two cars can result in serious, catastrophic injuries for the cyclist.

If you were injured in a car bike accident or someone you love was killed, the bike accident injury lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., can help. Muth Law is proud to represent people in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan who suffered bike accident injuries. We understand the most common causes of car bike crashes, and we know how to recover compensation for people who were injured in bike car crashes.

Common Causes of Bike vs. Car Accidents

Unfortunately, some Michigan drivers do not take adequate precautions to share the road, which can result in serious harm to bicyclists. Car vs bike crashes can have many causes, including:

• “Dooring.” “Dooring” happens when a driver in a parked car opens the door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, often because the driver did not look for approaching cyclists.
• Rear-End Collisions. A driver who follows too closely behind a bike may not have adequate time or distance to stop, which can result in a rear-end collision. The same rear-end collision that would only cause minor property damage to a vehicle can result in severe injuries for a cyclist.
• Sideswipe Accidents. Michigan applies a 3-foot rule, which means drivers must give bicyclists at least three feet when passing. A driver who tries to pass a bicycle without giving enough room can strike the bicyclist and cause serious injuries.
• Right-Turn Collisions. A cyclist proceeding straight through the intersection can be struck when a vehicle turns right without checking for approaching bicyclists behind it.
• Speeding. Speeding is a common cause of many accidents, including bike vs car accidents. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a hazard and increases the severity of the collision and any injuries the bicyclist may suffer.
• Distracted Driving. Texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio or a navigation device takes the driver’s attention away from the road. A driver who is not paying attention is more likely not to see a bicyclist and cause an accident.
• Impaired Driving. Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol experience impaired perception and delayed reaction time, increasing the chances of a collision.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signals. A driver who does not obey traffic signals, like traffic lights or stop signs, can cause an accident that leads to severe injuries to a bicyclist.

Everyone who operates a vehicle on public roadways, including cars and bikes, should remain alert and follow the rules of the road. When someone fails to follow the rules of the road and causes a car bike accident, the cyclist is almost certain to suffer more significant injuries.

Common Injuries in a Car Bike Accident

Because bicycles offer less protection than cars, the injuries bicyclists suffer in a bike vs car accident are often severe. Common injuries bicyclists suffer in a car bike accident include:

• Concussions
• Whiplash injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Shoulder dislocations
• Neck, spine, and back injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Wrongful death

Muth Law Fights for Financial Compensation After a Bike vs Car Accident

If you were seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you may require ongoing medical care and treatment for the rest of your life. You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost earnings
• Diminished earning capacity
• Modifications to your home or vehicle
• Costs for residential or long-term medical care
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death damages

The bike accident injury lawyers at Muth Law can investigate the cause of the bike car accident to establish liability on the part of the driver who hit you. We have the experience, resources, and expertise to prove the driver was at fault, establish the measure of your damages, and secure the compensation you and your family deserve.

To learn more, call 734-481-8800, email info@muthlawpc.com, or contact the bike accident injury lawyers at Muth Law by filling out our online form today to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.