Getting Back Outside: Avoiding Biking and Sporting Accidents
When the winter months hit, people usually find themselves huddled inside and feeling restless. Now that spring is on the horizon, many are looking forward to getting back outside to take advantage of the warmer weather and enjoy activities like biking and sports.
As great as it feels to get back outside, biking and sporting accidents can result in accidents. In some cases, they cause catastrophic injuries that require costly treatment and a lengthy recovery. The personal injury attorneys at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP, in White Plains, NY, understand the physical and financial damages associated with a biking or sporting accident. Here, they offer tips for enjoying the outdoors without ending up with a debilitating injury.
Common Causes of Biking and Sporting Accidents
Just about every outdoor activity comes with a degree of risk. Although biking and other sports offer many physical and emotional benefits, they can also cause injury. While injuries can occur because of repetitive motions or movements, they are frequently the result of an accident. Most biking and sporting accidents are caused by another person or party’s recklessness or neglect, which means they are completely preventable.
Common causes of biking accidents include:
- Distracted drivers taking their eyes off the road
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving behavior
- Poor road conditions
- Unmarked safety hazards
Common causes of sporting accidents include:
- Failure to follow appropriate safety guidelines
- Failure to provide or use necessary safety gear or sports equipment
- Defective sports gear or equipment
- Reckless or aggressive behavior
Minimizing the Risk of Biking and Sporting Accidents
The behavior of other individuals is out of our control, but there are steps that people can take to minimize the risk of a biking or sporting accident so that they can safely enjoy these activities. We recommend these important safety precautions to our White Plains clients:
- Always wear a helmet or other appropriate protective gear when biking or participating in sports
- Avoid playing sports or biking in inclement weather or other conditions that increase the risk of an accident
- Follow all rules, guidelines, and safety recommendations
- Check all equipment before use
- Be aware of your surroundings and the actions of others
What To Do If an Accident Occurs
Safety precautions minimize the risk of an accident, but they don’t eliminate it completely. If someone is involved in a biking or sporting accident, they should seek care for their injuries as soon as possible.
If injuries do not require immediate care, individuals should gather information and evidence that could prove helpful in recreating the accident, such as the contact information of others involved in the accident, contact information of accident witnesses, and photographs of the accident scene.
When a serious biking accident occurs, the police should be contacted so that a report can be filed. If an accident victim believes that another person or party is responsible for the accident, they should also contact a personal injury attorney.
Compensation for Accident Damages
If another person or party is found liable for a biking or sporting accident, they can be held accountable for the physical, emotional, and financial damages associated with accident injuries. Potential areas of compensation for our White Plains clients include:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of rehabilitation and therapy
- Loss of income and diminished earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Contact Us
If you have been injured in a biking or sporting accident and have questions about liability or compensation for damages, the personal injury attorneys at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP, would be happy to review your case. To schedule a consultation, send us a message online or call (914) 686-3700 at your earliest convenience.