What is the most common cause of bicycle accidents?
Visibility! Visibility! Visibility! A common factor in almost all bicycle accidents is a claim by the adverse driver that they simply did not see the bicyclist. The vast majority of travel upon the roadway is passenger automobiles. Drivers are most frequently on the lookout for hazards presented by other cars on the road. However, bicyclists, when complying with California law, have the right to ride in the roadway. Because bicycles and their riders are smaller and less common on the road, other drivers simply do not see them. Therefore, it is important that bicyclists ride with all appropriate reflectors, lights, and clothing to help others on the roadway see them. Additionally, bicyclists should ride “defensively.” Defensive driving, or in this case riding, requires being focused and alert to the road and traffic around you. It also includes anticipating what others on the road may do before they do it. The sooner you notice a potential problem, the sooner you can act to avoid the crash altogether.
How common are bicycle accidents?
There are over six million motor vehicle accidents per year in the United States. Approximately 2.2% of those accidents involve bicyclists. However, one out of every thirty-seven deaths in traffic accidents involves the death of a bicyclist. This means if you are involved in a vehicle accident while riding a bicycle you are 50% more likely to suffer fatal injuries in that accident. There are more bicyclists on the road now than ever before in the history of the United States and accidents, particularly serious accidents involving bicyclists, are on the rise. If you have been involved in an accident while riding a bicycle, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Arthofer & Tonkin Law Offices today for a free consultation.
What is the most common bicycle injury?
Answering this question depends on one key factor: Was the bicyclist wearing a helmet? If the bicyclist is wearing a properly fitted and appropriately protective helmet, then the most common injury in bicycle accidents are orthopedic in nature and include breaks to the bones in the arms and legs. When a bicyclist is not wearing a helmet the most common injuries are to the face, skull, and brain. It is important when riding a bicycle to wear a helmet, especially when you are sharing a roadway in urban areas with passenger cars that are much heavier and faster.
How can we avoid bicycle accidents?
The best way to avoid bicycle accidents is to ride defensively. This includes making sure you are as visible as possible to others on the roadway including making sure your bike is equipped with appropriate lights and reflectors, and that you are wearing the appropriate clothing. It is also important to follow the rules of the road and pay close attention to what other drivers and riders are doing on the roadway. By being vigilant and observant, a bicyclist can anticipate the movement of others on the roadway and move to avoid a crash or other accident before it occurs. In order to maintain this level of focus on the roadway, it is important that bicyclists not be distracted. Leave your cell phone and earbuds in your backpack. Carry your gear in a backpack or have it appropriately strapped to the bicycle. The Arthofer & Tonkin Law Offices welcomes the opportunity to consult with you, at no charge for the initial consultation, about your personal injury accident. Contact us today.
