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Bicycle riding is a fun hobby enjoyed by many, it’s also a great form of exercise. Unfortunately, on the road, biking can lead to serious accidents, injuries and even death. That’s why it is so important that bicyclists and drivers observe the laws of the road and pay attention when sharing the road with one another.
As a driver, you should always slow down and be extra attentive when you are sharing the road with a biker because one wrong move or one look away from the road can result in a serious accident.
As a biker, make sure you follow bicycle safety including obeying the laws, keeping a safe distance, wearing a helmet and wearing reflective clothing in addition to using bicycle lights at night. You want to do everything in your power to make sure you are seen on the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, call an experienced lawyer who can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Statistics show that highway traffic deaths have been decreasing in recent years but bicycle fatality rates are on the rise.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the percentage of bicycle, pedestrian and other non-vehicle occupant fatalities has increased from 13 percent of all fatalities in 2003 to 17 percent in 2012. 857 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018, according to the National Safety Council.
As you may have guessed, cyclists are at much greater risk of death and serious injury than motor vehicle occupants when involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Statistics show that highway traffic deaths have been decreasing in recent years but bicycle fatality rates are on the rise. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the percentage of bicycle, pedestrian and other non-vehicle occupant fatalities has increased from 13 percent of all fatalities in 2003 to 17 percent in 2012.
857 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018, according to the National Safety Council.
As you may have guessed, cyclists are at much greater risk of death and serious injury than motor vehicle occupants when involved in motor vehicle crashes.
If you are involved in a bicycle accident and you are able to, always call 911 immediately. If you can, get to a safe place or wave down another pedestrian or driver to help you. It is important you call the authorities immediately and 911 is your fastest way.
Don’t leave the scene before police get there so that you can file an official police report. Some cyclists do not realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. By then, it may be too late to identify the at-fault driver, this is why you absolutely must wait for authorities to arrive and document what happened as well as everybody who was involved.
Never tell the driver or police that you are “okay.” This can be used against you in court at a later date. In fact, you don’t even know if you really are okay until you have been cleared by a doctor. Seemingly minor injuries may develop into serious and permanent injuries. When asked if you are alright, simply say "I don't know".
Never try to negotiate with the at-fault driver. The driver may not give you accurate information about his or her identity, insurance coverage, or vehicle ownership. Many drivers who cause a crash will apologize at the scene and accept blame for the collision, but later, after they have had time to consider the consequences of their negligence, will deny that they were negligent. They may even deny that they were even at the accident scene! By waiting for the police, you have an independent third party at the scene of the accident who has the authority to ask for the driver’s identity, registration, and insurance information.
The police officer will be responsible for taking photos of the scene and collecting any evidence for the official police report but you should still take your own pictures as well. Document any damage to the road such as skid marks, damage to the driver’s vehicle as well as your bike and any injuries that you have sustained.
Inattentive Riding/Driving
There are a ton of distractions on the road these days for drivers and those same distractions also pertain for bicycle riders. Cyclists may look down to change the song they’re listening to, read a text message or look at their online map to see where they are going.
Speeding
Serious injuries and fatalities are linked to both drivers and bicyclists going too fast. It is easy to lose control when driving a car too fast and when biking at unsafe speeds.
Riding too close to a motorized vehicle’s lane
Drivers should have at least three feet from the widest point of both their vehicle and the bicycle. More than 20 states actually require motorists to give bicyclists three feet of space in the same lane. But still, bicyclists should never assume cars will leave them plenty of space to safely operate their vehicle. It can be safer to use a shoulder lane or sidewalk than the right edge of a roadway.
As a bicyclist, it’s imperative that you know the danger zones so that you can avoid them or exercise extreme caution when you are in those danger zones. Most bicyclist deaths occur in urban areas and at non-intersection locations.
Fluorescent clothing can make bicyclists visible from farther away than regular clothing during the daytime. Retro-reflective clothing can make bicyclists more visible at night.
A bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of a crash.5 All bicyclists, regardless of age, can help protect themselves by wearing properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride.
Active lighting can include front white lights, rear red lights, or other lighting on the bicycle or bicyclist. This lighting may improve the visibility of bicyclists.
If your injury was serious enough to require plastic surgery or other lengthy medical procedures, you may be left with a stack of unpaid medical bills.
In these cases you may want to seek legal action for damages. You will need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney that can guide you through the legal process and help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.
On the other hand, if you are at fault, you may need to seek counsel in order to protect yourself from any lawsuits.
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