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 LawIn 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 AccidentsIt’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:
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:
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 ConsultationIf 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.