25
11
Bike clubs are beginning to form across the United States as many cities are adding more paved trails . This means more people are trading in their four-wheeled vehicles for two-wheeled ones! While bicycle riding is a great way to get in shape and reduce pollution, it means bicycle accidents are on the rise.
As Americans are dusting off their bicycling skills, accident with motorized vehicles, dog attacks and accidents due to a defective product occur more and more . Just as bike ridding as a form of commuting is new to most people, when these accidents occur , many cyclists are unaware of their rights. The questions and issues that arise during a bicycle accident are different from an accident that involves two motorized vehicles. With this in mind, accident victims need to talk about their situation with a dedicated personal injury lawyer. Only a bicycle accidents lawyer can fully understand the issues specific to your claim.
Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles . Cyclists must follow the rules of the road, as well as all posted signs and traffic signals. In many cases, motorists do not respect cyclists’ rights. A driver behind the wheel of the car can act negligently in a number of different scenarios and put the cyclist at serious risk.
While car collisions only account for about one-third of all crashes with bicycles, these accidents cause the most serious injuries . Unprotected human bodies are no match for speeding automobiles or the hard pavement. Even the most careful cyclist cannot account for a motorist who fails to yield, opens a car door into traffic, is driving under the influence or is simply inattentive.
While not all accidents can be avoided, there are a number of steps cyclists can take to make themselves safer on the road.
- Try not to ride on busy streets, if possible : One of the biggest mistakes cyclists make is to ride their bikes just as they would drive their cars. By riding on the side streets, and only crossing the busiest streets, cyclists are much safer. Drivers have less to pay attention to on a slow side street than a busy main throughway.
- Put Lights on Your Bike : This seems simple enough, but it’s surprising how many cyclists do not have lights on their bikes. Red rear bike lights can be purchased for $15 or less and may save a cyclist’s life.
- Take the Whole Lane: While it’s not always appropriate there are some cases when taking up the entire lane is the safest option for a cyclist. Cars at an intersection ahead of the cyclist can see him or her much easier in the center of the lane than on the side of the road. Being in the middle of a lane stops cars from passing too closely and riding further to the left means the cyclist has a smaller chance of running into a car door that is opened suddenly.
- Try To Avoid Listening to Music and Using Your Phone: It’s important to be able to hear everything going on while riding a bicycle. Cyclists need to leave the earphones and wireless phones for a time when they aren’t on the bicycle!
Even the most careful bicycle rider can be part of an accident. If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident, it is important to file an accident claim as soon as possible. There is a limited amount of time in which to file the claim and contact a personal injury attorney. Make the call before it’s too late!
Write a comment!