What to Do if You Are in an Accident on a Rented Bike?
Those rented bikes that are popping up everywhere and that you can hire with the touch of an app are an incredible convenience. If you’re injured in a rental bike accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, however, it can leave you at a serious loss. The fact is that bike accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents out there. If someone else’s negligence does leave you injured in an accident involving a rented bike, don’t put off consulting with an experienced Tampa bike accident attorney.
Bicycle Enthusiasts Give Tampa High Marks
According to Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa is well-loved by bike enthusiasts for all of the following reasons:
- Tampa has put in the effort to create a bike-friendly urban environment.
- Tampa has designated bike corridors that separate bikes from other traffic but that allow bicyclists the same access to all the urban delights.
- Tampa has sunshine the year-round and has bike lanes that span more than 100 miles.
And if you don’t have a bike, don’t worry – you can rent one.
Rental Bikes Pose Their Own Unique Dangers
Renting a bike can pose its own unique risks and dangers that are important to keep in mind. Consider the following:
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When you rent a bike, you are less likely to ride with a helmet, which leaves you at increased risk of sustaining a serious head injury.
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If you’re on a rental bike, it typically means that you aren’t familiar with the area, which can make accidents more likely.
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There is no guarantee that the bike you’re on has been well and safely maintained, which can contribute to dangerous bike accidents.
Although Tampa is bike-friendly, its streets are designed for car traffic, and when you’re on a bike, you are always at increased risk of being injured.
Bike Accidents Are Dangerous Accidents
When you are on your bike, you have no protective shell to shield you from the dangerous impact of a traffic accident. Further, you take up much less space on the road, which makes it exceptionally easy for you to get lost in a motorist’s blind spot – or for motorists to simply fail to look for and see you on the road. Finally, if you’re involved in a bike accident, you will very likely be thrown from your bike, which can lead to any of the following serious injuries:
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Serious cuts, abrasions, and burns
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Broken bones
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Spinal cord injuries
Seek the Professional Legal Help You Need from a Tampa Bike Accident Attorney
The most important first steps you can take if you are injured in an accident on a rental bike are obtaining the medical care and attention you need and working closely with one of the formidable bike accident attorneys at Matthews Injury Law in Tampa. Our dedicated legal team is well-positioned to help, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 813-530-1000 today.