First and foremost, it doesn’t seem to matter if you are an adept cyclist who participates in races. Or, if you are someone who merely takes leisurely bike rides. You could even be pedaling your way to work. The truth is, bike accidents happen. Often times, it has nothing to do with the skills of the person riding the bike.
Bike Rides that Turn into Bike Accidents
Obviously, it’s something no one wants to think can happen to them. It’s even truer when the cyclist is cognizant of safety steps. You know, the usual. Proper helmet gear. Appropriate use of hand signals. And, correct adherence to traffic laws. Maybe, you even reviewed the article we wrote on bicycle safety for some useful tips to avoid horrific consequences.
Nevertheless, a life changing accident can happen in the blink of an eye.
Accordingly, the statistics accumulated by the United States Department of Transportation are somewhat staggering. Their last report dates back to 2014 and provides the following cumulative data:
- Two percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involved bicycle accidents
- 71% of fatal bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas such as Jersey City
- More bicycle crashes happen between the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm
- A vast majority of cyclists involved in bike accidents were male
- 20% of those involved in bicycle crashes were actually legally intoxicated
Of course, cyclists are expected to take precautions regarding their own safety. Even so, the problem is that some motor vehicle operators are not as diligent. And, their negligence can cause a simple bike ride to turn into rather serious injuries or fatalities.
How Bike Accidents Occur
How do bike accidents happen when it’s someone else’s fault? Quite simply, it can be that a driver was busy talking on their phone and did not notice the cyclist. And, of course, there’s the issue with driving while the under the influence.
In many cases, bicycle accidents happen because there is a problem with sharing the road. There’s an expectation that motor vehicle operators will attempt to yield to cyclists. However, that’s not always the case. And, of course, just about everyone is in a hurry. There’s no question that speed kills.
Sun glare may create an issue with visibility. Unfortunately, a number of bicycle accidents also occur when a driver puts their vehicle in reverse and simply does not notice anyone is behind him.
Bottom line. Defensive driving is a plus when pedaling as a means of transportation. Otherwise, you may find yourself severely incapacitated.
Hurt in a Bike Accident?
If you were injured in a bicycle crash, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone can help you through the claims process. Contact our office to see how we can assist you.