Frequent Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Suffering a bicycle accident in Tacoma can leave survivors with devastating injuries, severe mental despair, and mounting financial burdens. 

A multitude of reasons can cause a bicycle accident in Tacoma, including

• Distracted drivers – Drivers who are on their phones, adjusting their radios, talking to someone else, or participating in an activity that takes their attention away from the road significantly increase the chances of a bicycle accident. 
• Impaired driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications can drastically decrease a driver’s awareness and responsiveness to bicyclists on the road. 
• Dooring – Dooring occurs when a bicyclist collides with the door of a motor vehicle. It is commonly caused by a driver not paying attention before opening their vehicle door into a bike or traffic lane. 
• Blocking or driving in the bike lane – Drivers who block or drive in a bike lane endanger bicyclists who may not have a safe out on their route to avoid the vehicle. 
• Rear-end collision – Vehicles following too closely to a bicyclist or not paying attention at a required stop create deadly dangers for cyclists, often resulting in bicycle accidents that can end in a fatality. 
• Unsafe lane changing or turning – Aggressive drivers create perilous situations on the road for bicyclists. Drivers who quickly change lanes without signaling or looking, turn without signaling, drive above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions, or engage in other forms of reckless behavior enhance the likelihood of a bicycle accident. 
• Low visibility – Driving in the dark, through fog, in heavy rain, or in other conditions that negatively affect visibility can create a dangerous environment when bicyclists share the road. 
• Not obeying traffic laws – When a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or runs a red light, they increase the likelihood of a bicyclist being struck by their vehicle. 

Common Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents

Injuries suffered in bicycle accidents range from minor scratches and bruises to fatalities. 

A bicycle crash can be very detrimental and life-changing for the cyclist. Survivors can often be left incapacitated with broken bones, back and neck injuries, and head traumas. 

Sadly, other victims do not survive a bicycle accident. 

Not all injuries are readily apparent in the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident. Some survivors suffer from traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Common injuries caused by bicycle accidents include

• Road rash
• Cuts and lacerations
• Bruises and contusions
• Strains, sprains, and other forms of soft tissue damage
• Broken and shattered bones
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, which often result in either partial or complete paralysis
• Brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to more severe and long-term cognitive traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Fatalities 

Can I Receive Compensation for a Bicycle Accident?

If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your damages. 

Recoverable compensation for a bicycle accident includes damages such as

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Medical expenses, both past and future
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of the ability to use a body part
• Partial or permanent disability 
• Adverse reactions to scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium, if lost companionship, services, or support occurs as a result of the accident
• Wrongful death damages
• Any other associated expenses

Contact a Boohoff Law, P.A. attorney today to learn if you can receive financial compensation for your bicycle accident.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

The aftermath of a bicycle accident is a difficult time to navigate. It often feels overwhelming to most survivors and their loved ones. Here are a few pieces of advice to help make this trying time more straightforward to manage.

Maintain Thorough Documentation

Keep a detailed file of documentation for your bicycle accident, including:

• A journal detailing your memory of the event 
• Doctors’ reports and treatment plans
• Photographs and videos from the scene, injuries sustained, and any property damage incurred
• A copy of the police report
• Receipts from all expenses associated with the accident
• Proof of any loss of income or earning capacity

Seek and Follow Medical Advice

Even if you think you may have a minor road rash after your bicycle accident, seek medical advice immediately. Some bicycle accident injuries may not show visible symptoms or might not manifest until a day or two later. 

Keep notes of all doctor visits and medical advice you receive. Follow your medical team’s advice and treatment plan. 

Track Your Expenses

Keep documentation of all costs associated with your accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. 

Work With an Attorney

Washington has a statute of limitations for filing specific claims, so get an attorney involved in your case from the start. 

The Tacoma personal injury attorneys at Boohoff Law, P.A. have experience handling these cases. Call us today for your free consultation. 

Bring copies of all your documentation, medical treatment plans, witness contact information, expenses, and any other information associated with your accident to your meeting. 

Why Choose Boohoff Law, P.A.

Our attorneys at Boohoff Law, P.A. work tirelessly to provide our clients the justice and compensation they deserve after suffering a bicycle accident in Tacoma. We fully invest in all of our clients’ cases, ensuring they have the complete and undivided attention of our team of skilled and compassionate attorneys. 

The competent attorneys at our firm work relentlessly to thoroughly investigate and comprehend each clients’ unique case, uncover proper fault, and demand justice and due compensation for our clients.

We know how unique each client’s challenging situation and warranted concerns are. For this reason, our compassionate attorneys approach each case with an understanding of our clients’ individual needs and circumstances. 

Our firm strives to deliver the best possible outcome to our clients through our agreeable responsiveness, relentless effort, and assertive approaches to their cases. We genuinely believe that our community is better off with Boohoff. 

The lawyers at Boohoff Law, P.A. firmly believe in providing our services to the Tacoma community on a contingency fee basis, meaning our clients only pay fees if we win their cases. 

Our attorneys at Boohoff Law, P.A. understand how difficult it is for people to try and manage an insurance claim alone while working through the physical and mental strife of a bicycle accident. 

We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients through our distinguished efforts. 

Our clients often express how appreciative they are for the positive results we have provided to them and their loved ones during their challenging times.

Brandy was grateful for how helpful our team was during her trying time. She was pleased with how we made her feel at home with our firm as we went the extra mile to get her the settlement she deserved on her case. 

Caitlyn was pleased with the immediate and timely responses she received from our incredible staff, easing the process of her case.

Elissa admired our firm’s integrity and gratitude for our attorneys’ fantastic work and down-to-earth personalities.

If you or your loved one have suffered a traumatic bicycle accident in Tacoma, call our team today to get the help you deserve. 

Our Tacoma office sits near the Thea Foss Waterway at the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 11th Street. Contact us today for your free consultation with our team to discuss your case.

Bicycle Accident Injuries in Tacoma

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports more than 730 traffic fatalities in one recent year in Washington. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 11 deaths resulted from a bicycle accident.

The IIHS further concludes that a significant number of fatal crashes in Washington occur in urban areas. 

In Tacoma’s Pierce County, the NHTSA estimates that 147 fatal vehicle crashes occurred in that same year, with one bicycle fatality happening in the county. Bicycle fatalities in Pierce County impact the population at a rate of 0.11 for every 100,000 people in the county.

According to traffic records compiled by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), an estimated 92 bicyclists and passengers suffered accidents in Pierce County in one recent year.  

Data gathered by the WSDOT shows that most bicycle accidents in Tacoma with suspected severe injuries occur on Pacific Avenue. Other high-risk areas for bicycle accidents are West End, North End, and downtown Tacoma. The one bicycle fatality occurred at the intersection of South 21st Street and Yakima Avenue. 

Dealing With an Insurance Company in Tacoma

Most bicycle accident survivors and their loved ones often feel distressed and overwhelmed when trying to deal with the insurance company to handle the insurance claim process for their accident.

People frequently feel overburdened by the extensive insurance claim process, which commonly takes months to complete and requires a lengthy amount of documentation to be provided to the insurance agency.

Working with a reliable and diligent bicycle accident attorney for your case from the onset of the process is imperative. 

Insurance companies often employ tactics during the claim process to minimize the compensation they pay out and could try to use your statements against you. Your trusted attorney will prepare you for what to expect and ensure you and your loved ones do not fall prey to any of the insurance company’s strategic methods.  

A respected bicycle accident attorney will ease the burden of your insurance claim process by managing it for you and your loved ones, allowing you to focus on your recovery.  

Your skilled legal team will handle your insurance claim process from start to finish, including filing the initial insurance claim, managing all communications with the insurance company’s agents and adjusters, advocating on your behalf, receiving and negotiating a settlement offer, and filing a lawsuit for your case when needed. 

An experienced legal team will regularly communicate with you and your loved ones throughout the claim process, ensuring you know the progress of your case. Your attorney will address any concerns you and your loved ones have while promptly and effectively answering all your questions. 

A competent legal team will show all responsible parties are liable for your accident.

They will work relentlessly to ensure you recover maximum compensation for all applicable damages, including physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, past and future medical expenses, property damage, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, loss of the ability to use a body part, permanent or partial disability, adverse reactions from scarring or disfigurement, loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, or wrongful death damages.

If you or your loved ones suffered from a devastating bicycle accident in Tacoma, call our team at Boohoff Law, P.A. today and let us handle the stressful burden of your insurance claim. 

Working With a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Tacoma

Bicycle accidents are often a distressing time for bicyclists and their loved ones. Survivors suffer a long road to recovery fraught with painful injuries, emotional suffering, and financial hardships. 

Having the help of a trusted and compassionate bicycle accident lawyer in Tacoma will lighten the burden of your stressful and complex situation, allowing you and your loved ones more time to focus on getting your life and health back on track.

Call our attorneys at Boohoff Law, P.A. today at (877) 999-9999 for your free initial consultation with one of our trusted team members.

Boohoff Law, P.A. – Auto Accident Lawyers – Tacoma Office

950 Pacific Ave # 650
Tacoma, WA 98402

Phone: (253) 867-9776