The first step in preventing accidents from happening is knowing the risks and the seriousness of the situation. 

Everyone in traffic should focus on safety more than anything else and ensure they have proper equipment, are not distracted, and are familiar with traffic signs and rules. Bicycle accidents are not as common as car accidents, but they are still very dangerous, and many people are not aware of the possible injuries they could sustain if the incident occurs. 

One of the most severe injuries in bike accidents is eye injuries because they affect long-term health and impair the quality of life. 

In this article, we’ll go over how to prevent accidents or at least minimize the risk, and what steps to take if an incident does happen.

Consequences of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Knowing (and understanding) the risk of potential injuries sustained in bike accidents is the main foundation for ensuring a safe environment for yourself and others around you. 

Many don’t cycle as a form of sport or a hobby; people usually use bikes as a mode of transport, and this is why many are careless and not properly educated on ‘safe’ cycling. By ‘safe’, we mean wearing protective gear such as knee and elbow pads, cycling glasses, helmets, and bright neon clothes that make you more visible on the road. 

This is the main reason why minor crashes could still end fatally. 

Because even if the fall wasn’t severe, an unprotected part of your body could get severely injured and cause long-term damage. 

One of the most sensitive parts of the body is the eyes, and that’s why it is very important to wear cycling glasses to prevent dirt and debris from injuring the eyes. 

If your eyes aren’t protected and the accident occurs, other objects or the other person could potentially injure the eyes by causing abrasions and lacerations, scratches, bleeding, swelling, or other more severe injuries. 

Legal Rights and Pursuing Compensation

Determining the cause of the accident is the most important part when filing a claim. 

If the cyclist was wearing all the necessary protective equipment, was following all the traffic regulations, and was careful and present, and the accident still happened, there’s a strong possibility that the situation will require legal action. 

In big/busy cities with frequent collisions, accidents are more likely to happen.

It could be that the bike lanes are not marked properly, traffic signs were old and not visible, pavement condition was bad, others in traffic were not careful and neglected the signs, etc. All of the above require investigation and legal action. 

That’s why, if you live in a city like Chicago or New York, you should know that the consequences can differ, so you need to be ready to pursue legal steps (if necessary). 

If you think the accident wasn’t your fault and you are entitled to compensation, it’s best to find a lawyer who is experienced in the type of case you need. 

When filing a claim, gathering evidence is crucial for getting the compensation. Even though it may seem insignificant compared to the physical and emotional pain endured, it can have a great impact on your quality of life after the injury and make daily activities much easier. 

So in order to get it, you need to take pictures of the scene, gather police reports, and find surveillance footage if there is any CCTV in the area, as well as witnesses willing to testify on your behalf.

Given that Chicago is a hectic and crowded city, if a serious eye injury or any type of vision damage happens during an accident, the best course of action is to reach out to a lawyer who specializes in bicycle eye injury claims in Chicago. 

And getting a lawyer is always the best choice, given how different states enforce different laws.

In Chicago (under Illinois law), the compensation is barred if you’re 50+% at fault, while in NYC (under New York law), you can recover damages even if you’re mostly at fault.

Conclusion

To conclude, cycling is a very interesting and beneficial hobby for your health, as well as a convenient way of transportation if you don’t own a car. 

Despite its advantages, many people experience accidents when cycling in a crowded city with frequent traffic jams and chaotic traffic. To avoid accidents, it is important to wear protective gear and always remain alert. If an accident does occur, it’s important to know your rights and how to file a claim if you were injured and believe the incident was not your fault. 

Staying calm and collecting all the necessary evidence for the insurance company is crucial to demonstrating that you didn’t cause the accident and deserve compensation for the injury you sustained.

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