Common Reasons Why Bicycle Accidents Happen in Arkansas

In the United States, Arkansas is a well known state. In the southern part of the U.S. this country is bordered by the Mississippi River.

Arkansas has its fair share of natural richness with caves, mountains, and springs. Similarly, like other states, Arkansas also has many examples of bicycle accidents.

Many civilians are often facing bicycle accidents in Arkansas and there are expert attorneys at Arkansas helping the clients in their recovery process.

However, before knowing what compensations one gets for a bicycle accident, it’s critical to know what causes these accidents in the first place.

Speeding

The main reasons behind a massive number of bicycle accidents in Arkansas is the exceeding speed limit. It’s the main reason behind people often getting involved in accidents.

Speeding on the road can make a rider lose control and lose their swiftness while maneuvering through traffic. So, there’s a high chance of falling down or hitting other vehicles while speeding on the road.

In Arkansas, the speed limits on country roads and highways can be relatively high, which often contributes to accidents involving cyclists.

Cyclists frequently travel on the road shoulders or utilize bike lanes, and speeding drivers might not have ample time to safely overtake or halt to prevent a collision.

Exceeding speed limits is not the sole reason for bicycle accidents; various other frequent factors contribute to these events. It encompasses:

Distracted Driving

Another common reason for bicycle accidents is distracted driving. Drivers often use mobile phones, check their emails, or use GPS when driving on the streets.

When a driver is distracted while riding, they are prone to dangers and have the highest possibility of hitting a bicycle on the road.

Failing to Yield the Right of Way

In many accidents, drivers fail to offer the right of way to cyclists. This happens especially when someone is supposed to take a turn.

Also, many drivers are often not aware of the traffic rules. Some drivers often disrespect the rules of the street and are disrespectful to others on the street.

Many often don’t like sharing space with the cyclists on the street. It can affect someone when they are trying to ride through an intersection.

This failure to yield is a common issue in urban areas like Little Rock or Fayetteville, where busy intersections and mixed-use roads can create dangerous conditions for cyclists.

Impaired Driving

Many incidents of bicycle accidents are a result of drivers being under the influence during the incident. When someone is exposed to drugs or alcohol, they are not in their perfect state to drive.

When a driver is impaired, their reaction time gets slower and their judgment becomes clouded.

Even though Arkansas follows strict rules against DUI, it still continues to be a big problem on the road.

Poor Road Conditions

Sometimes, the reason for a bicycle accident is a poorly managed and maintained road. A bad road can become a major hazard for cyclists. Sometimes potholes, cracks can be the reason behind a fatal accident.

Particularly, the rural areas of Arkansas face this issue in most cases. Roads with zero to minimum maintenance often cause incidents of bicycle accidents.

How to Get Legal Help after a Bicycle Accident in Arkansas?

Before getting legal help, it’s important to take care of your health and get the injury treated as soon as possible. Then you can go ahead and take help from an experienced bicycle injury lawyer who can help you get the right compensation.

If you were in a bicycle accident in Arkansas recently, and need legal help, then we suggest the following steps.

1. Prioritize Your Health

The best way to deal with your current situation is by first taking care of your injury and your overall health. Get yourself checked for any injury you have faced in recent times.

Get immediate medical attention as per the level of your current injuries. Some injuries can be immediately apparent. Adhere to the treatment plans that your doctor provides for a fast recovery.

2. Document the Accident

When you start to feel better, it’s time to call the police and document the incident to record the incident. Ensure to add all the details you remember from the scene of the accident.

Also, when you file a police case, the detective might need proof and evidence of the damage you have received during the accident.

That’s why ensure to have videos, or photos related to the accident. You must also take pictures of your injury and also collect contact information of the witnesses present at the scene.

3. Contact a Lawyer

The next part is all about finding an experienced attorney who can help you build your case. They can legally represent you in any court of law.

When looking for a bicycle injury attorney, it’s best to go for lawyers who offer a free consultation to their clients. This way, you’ll have a chance at a trial conversation with the lawyer.

It’ll help you understand if they can help you or not. You can discuss the nature of the case, the incident, and share your grievances with the attorney.

An experienced attorney should help you understand your rights as a citizen and help you get the right amount in compensation.

4. Potential Compensation

Most victims of bicycle accidents are entitled to compensation for medical treatment, including visits from the doctor, stays in hospitals and rehabilitation.

Your attorney can also help you get your lost wages. After a bicycle accident, during your treatment and recovery, you can miss work resulting in loss of pay. However, the accident can help you recover that loss.

Conclusion

Bicycle accidents are the result of different reasons. In many cases, it’s either negligence or a lack of awareness about traffic regulations or reckless driving.

If you are a cyclist and have faced an accident on the street, it’s imperative that you focus on your recovery first.

Then you can go on to understand the reasons behind the accident and analyze the nature of the case with the help of a professional lawyer.