Baltimore Bird Bike Injury Lawyer

Although Bird is typically associated with its scooter rentals, it also offers bike rentals in the Baltimore area.  These bikes are a great, environmentally conscious way to get around town.  However, drivers in the city often make mistakes on the road that put cyclists in danger.  If you or a loved one was injured riding a Bird bike in Baltimore, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today to discuss your options for seeking compensation and filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Our Baltimore Bird bike injury lawyers represent injury bike accident victims in lawsuits against the drivers that caused their injuries and other responsible parties.  For a free legal consultation on your case and to learn more about what compensation you might be entitled to and whom to sue for your injuries, call our law offices today at (410) 694-7291.

Whom to Sue for Bird Bike Accidents

In nearly any bike accident case, you are entitled to sue the person directly responsible for your injuries.  If you were hit by a car or truck, suing that driver is the most direct route to recovering compensation for your injuries.  Victims injured while riding on a rental bike might expect that they can sue the bikeshare company, in this case Bird, for the injuries.  However, the terms of use for using the bikeshare bicycle typically restrict your right to sue Bird directly.

Moreover, Bird would only be responsible for issues with the bike itself, such as faulty brakes.  the driver who hit you is more directly responsible for the injuries you faced and is typically the person to sue for your injuries.  Still, our lawyers will fully investigate your case and help you determine if there are other parties who could potentially be liable for your injuries and file a lawsuit against them if appropriate.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Maryland

Bikes are considered vehicles in Maryland, and other drivers owe you the same rights and duties they owe any other driver on the road.  However, this also means that you must follow the rules of the road when riding a bike.  Who is at fault in a bike accident will typically come down to who violated the law and caused the accident, whether that is the cyclist or the driver.  When car and truck drivers are responsible for a bicycle accident, those accidents typically occur in one of the following common scenarios:

Blocked Bike Lanes

On roads with bikes lanes, cyclists are expected to ride in the bike lane.  However, cars sometimes park blocking the bike lane – or if there is no bike lane, then cars might block the right side of the roadway where bikes are supposed to ride.  Cyclists are typically allowed to take up the whole lane if they need to and the speed of traffic allows for it, but cars might not accommodate them.  This means many bike riders are struck when trying to go around parked cars or they are edged out of their lane and forced into parked cars.

Right Turn Accidents

Bike riders typically ride on the right side of the road.  If a car is going to make a right turn, that means the car will cross the bike rider’s path.  If the driver fails to signal or check their blind spot for cyclists, they could easily cause a serious accident by hitting the cyclist or suddenly turning in front of them and cutting them off.

Left Turn Accidents

Left turn accidents can occur in two ways: either when the car makes a left turn or the bike makes a left turn.  If the car is turning left, it might not yield to the bike and will strike the bike as it crosses its lane of traffic.  When a cyclist makes a left turn, they may need to cross their own lane of traffic to get to the left edge of the lane.  Cars might not expect this and could hit them.  After crossing the lane, the bike needs to turn across the lane of oncoming traffic.  Those drivers might not see the bike turning ahead of them and could cause a crash that way as well.

“Dooring” Accidents

When cyclists are forced to drive around a car parked in the bike lane or on the right side of the road, they already face risks from other traffic.  They also face the added risk that someone in a parked car will suddenly open a door, hitting them or blocking their path and causing them to drive into the door.  Passengers should exit on the curb side if possible, and anyone opening a door into a lane of traffic should always check for cars and bikes before opening the door.

Suing for Bike Accidents in Maryland

When you sue for a bike accident, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries you faced because of the crash.  In many bike accidents, these injuries could be severe.  Without the protection of airbags, seatbelts, or the car around you, your body is at risk for serious injuries that could lead to life-long effects or disabilities.  These injuries could result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, and substantial pain and suffering.  the best way to maximize the compensation you receive is often to take your case to court.  Talk to a lawyer to find out more about what your case might be worth.

Call Our Baltimore, MD Bird Bike Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one faced serious injuries while riding a Bird bike in Baltimore, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.  Our attorneys may be able to take your case and work to get you the compensation you need for your injuries.