Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
In this blog, we often say that Maryland bicycle accidents can happen to anyone. Most bicyclists do not expect, when they go for a ride, to get into an accident. However, the truth is it can happen when you least expect it. The recent case of Shawn Bradley, one of the tallest basketball players in NBA history, illustrates this point. While many would think it would be almost impossible for a driver not to see the 7-foot-6 man on his bicycle, earlier this year a driver in a car hit him while he was riding a bike just down the street from where he lived. The crash resulted in Bradley suffering a spinal cord injury, which caused him to be paralyzed; a tragic consequence of an upsetting crash.
Unfortunately, as a recent news source recently pointed out, the way that the news media covered the accident added insult to Bradley’s injury. Headlines abounded about how Shawn Bradley was “paralyzed following bicycling accident,” failing to even mention the fact that another driver was involved or note what caused the accident—a negligent driver. In the cases where the cause of the crash was named, it was often blamed on the car, rather than the driver. In fact, in 2019, research was published on how the media reported traffic crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians and found that 80% of the time the story subtly shifted the blame, by minimizing the driver’s role in the crash.
While this may seem just a harmless choice of words, the truth is reporting in this way is part of a larger problem. As the news report noted, words matter, and the media often rely on initial crash reports from law enforcement for their stories. Those reports are often incomplete, without a victim’s statement, and may incorrectly assign the blame to the cyclist instead of the driver. The larger issue here is that cyclists are being implicitly blamed for tragic accidents that happen to them, and negligent drivers getting away with causing tragic accidents.
What Are a Bicyclists Options to Recover Compensation After an Accident?
Despite these mainstream media narratives, it is important for cyclists to know that they still have legal options when a car negligently crashes into them. Despite how the media may report it, a bicyclist injured or paralyzed in a case like Shawn Bradley’s can sue and present evidence in court about how the driver was to blame. When these cases are successful, they can result in significant monetary damages awarded to the cyclist—to cover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and future medical care or physical therapy. While no onecan undo the damage that is caused in an accident, these cases can help provide at least some financial relief to victims.
Call a Maryland Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
To speak risk-free with an experienced and dedicated Maryland bicycle accident attorney, call the personal injury law offices of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, today. Our attorneys are compassionate and skilled, and they work tirelessly on every case, treating it as though it was their own. To learn more about how they can help you and your family, call 800-654-1949. Calling is free, and because we accept personal injury cases on a contingency basis, you will not be responsible for any legal fees unless we can help you recover for your injuries.