American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest Learns Dangers of Bicycling First Hand
American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest, recently took up bicycling and unfortunately learned firsthand of the dangers of busy roads. Seacrest, who began cycling just a few weeks ago, was side swiped by a car in Los Angeles, causing him to crash. Seacrest told his story on his morning show (opens video), stating that his mother had warned him of the dangers of biking in the city. Seacrest said he was riding on San Vicente Blvd., which has a bike lane, when a car approached him from behind and then side swiped him. The car pushed him to the curb and then another cyclist hit him. The driver approached as Seacrest was picking himself off the pavement and said she did not see him. She was reportedly unsympathetic and seemed to blame him for the accident. Fortunately, Seacrest sustained only minor bruises and bumps in the accident and will likely be back to cycling soon, although with a new appreciation of the dangers.
Side Swipe Accidents While Bicycling
Side swipe accidents are extremely dangerous for cyclists and occur more often than many cyclists might realize. In a side swipe accident, a vehicle traveling alongside a bicyclist hits him or her from the side. The cyclist can be forced to the pavement and could also sustain serious injuries. At times, the fall could result in the cyclist being hit by another vehicle. Many side swipe accidents involve vehicles hauling over-sized trailers or those with large rear-view mirrors mounted to the doors. This extra width added to the vehicle can be enough to cause the side of the vehicle to collide with a nearby cyclist.
As Seacrest learned, side swipe accidents can also result from drivers who are not paying attention or who are distracted. Distracted drivers can drift from their lanes and hit cyclists who are following safety protocol and riding in the bicycling lane. At times, even the most cautious and attentive of bikers cannot act fast enough to avoid becoming the victim of a side swipe accident. Side swipe accident victims can face serious injuries that could hinder their ability to perform daily living tasks or even return to work.
If you have been injured in a side swipe crash, obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Your attorney will investigate the accident and uncover crucial facts that could assist in your recovery. He or she will also help you to file the appropriate action against the driver responsible for the crash, seeking to recover for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and much more.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Personal Injury Case!
If you have been injured in a bicycle or other traffic accident, contact the Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. We offer dedicated representation to the victims of bicycle and other traffic accidents across Georgia and in the Southeast. In fact, our firm brings over 39 years of experience to your case, providing you with the representation you need to obtain the results you desire. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of an attorney as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.