Child Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Assisting Parents of Children in Bike Accidents in Rhode Island

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for most children and a proud moment for parents. Despite teaching kids the basics of bike safety, like the importance of wearing a helmet, unfortunately bicycle accidents involving kids happen often. In fact, children and adolescents have the highest rate of nonfatal bike-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency rooms. Each year, approximately 254,000 children are injured, and 100 killed, in bicycle-related incidents. Whether caused by a reckless motorist, such as a drunk driver, speeding driver, distracted driver, or another type of negligence, the result can be terrifying. If your child is hurt in a bike accident in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, its important you have the best legal representation by your side. Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer David Tapalian will fight for your family to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve. After a bike accident, you may be eligible to seek recovery on behalf of your child for medical expenses, hospital bills, physical therapy, and pain and suffering. The top-rated personal injury team at Tapalian Law will aggressively seek compensation for your losses, so you can focus on what’s most important- your child’s health and recovery.

RI Bicycle Helmet Law

In the event of a bike crash, wearing a helmet is the number one way to reduce the risk of a serious head or brain injury. The bike helmet law in Rhode Island “requires that any person under the age of 15 riding a bicycle, as an operator or passenger, must wear a protective bicycle helmet”. While helmets laws may be an effective way to increase helmet use among the younger population, all bicyclists, regardless of age, should wear a helmet to reduce the risk of injury when riding a bike.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents

It’s typical for kids to fall off a bike, especially when they are new to the skill, but as a bike accident attorney in Rhode Island, Attorney Tapalian has seen the most critical types of injuries result from crashes involving motor vehicles. A collision between a bicyclist and a car, truck, or SUV, can result in life-threatening injuries, particularly when a young child is involved. Some common causes of child bike accidents are:

1. Inattentive Drivers- Motorists can be dangerously distracted in their cars, by cell phones, music, or other passengers. A distracted driver may not notice a bicyclist, especially a small child, and veer out of their traveling lane hitting the cyclist. An accident attorney can help victims hold distracted drivers responsible for their actions. In addition, cyclists should not wear headphones or use a cell phone while riding so they are fully alert to listen and look.
2. Speeding- Serious injuries and deaths can occur if a bicyclist is hit by a speeding car. Even worse, if the vehicle and the cyclist are both speeding. Drivers and bicyclists alike should be aware of, and heed, road speed limits.
3. Riding too Close to a Lane of Motor Vehicle Traffic- Drivers should be a minimum of three feet away from a bicyclist on the road. Bicyclists should never assume that drivers are going to give them the correct amount of space so they must be aware of the same and keep a safe distance.
4. Intersections or Lane Merging- Bicyclists need to obey the same traffic rules as motor vehicle operators such as traffic lights, stop signs, and using signals when turning. Understanding the rules of the road will help children when riding on the streets.
5. Sidewalks, Parking Lots, and Driveways- These are typical areas at a higher risk for bike accidents. Accidental backovers are a tragedy that affect parents of young children every year and sadly, 70% of these unintentional incidents involve vehicles operated by a parent or other family member. Never assume a car is going to stop or will see your child. Teach children to always be aware, look out for backup lights and/or stop at driveways and how to navigate sidewalks and parking lots.

Preventing Bike Injuries in Children

As a bike accident lawyer in Rhode Island, Attorney Tapalian has seen numerous children as victims in accidents that could have been prevented. Following are some steps you can take to help your child avoid injuries in a devastating bike accident:

• Make it a RULE – every time you or your child goes out for a bike ride, ensure that you and your child wear a helmet.
• Helmet NEEDS to fit- Sometimes helmets are too big, or your child can outgrow them. It is essential to have them wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike.
• Ensure BICYCLE is the proper size- Having an unsteady bike can cause an unnecessary mishap. Make sure the bike is the right size, seat, and parts are screwed in tightly.
• BRAKES need to work- Check to see if the brakes function properly, the bicycle has enough air in the tires, and reflectors are secure for your child.
• ADULT supervision- Kids under the age of ten need adult supervision.
• RIDING at night- Avoid riding at night with children. If you and your child absolutely must, make sure the bike has reflectors and highly visible clothing, like bright and reflective materials, is worn to be more visible to cars and trucks.

Your kids look up to you to show by example the proper skills for safe bike operation, such as always wearing a helmet no matter how short the trip. Know the rules of the road, and your child will follow. Understanding some simple steps can prevent bicycle accidents in the future.

Call the Personal Injury Experts at Tapalian Law for a Free Consultation

If your child has suffered injuries caused by another in a bike accident in Rhode Island, Bicycle Accident Attorney David Tapalian will do whatever it takes to get justice for you and your family. With over 20 years of personal injury experience in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Attorney Tapalian will take proper legal action against the person responsible for causing your child’s injuries. Bike accidents can require an extensive recovery progress, and our personal injury team will aggressively fight to get the fair compensation your child deserves and settle your case smoothly so you can go back to your normal life. If your child has been hurt, or if you have lost your child, in a tragic bike accident, contact Tapalian Law’s Providence RI office via email, or at (401) 552-5500 for a free consultation to find out more about the personal injury or wrongful death services we provide.