Any bicycle accident lawyer can tell you that bicycle accidents in the United States injure or kill thousands of people each year.
Many motor vehicle drivers promote a misconception that bicycles are not on public roads, which is simply untrue. Legally, cyclists have the same right to use public roads as motor vehicles. Often, motor vehicles do not know or follow these rules. And unfortunately, this bias often follows cyclists through the personal injury legal system.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you have every right to demand compensation from those responsible for your accident. To be successful you need the right bicycle accident lawyer.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 467,000 bicycle accidents in 2015, resulting in lifetime medical costs and $10 billion in loss of productivity. In 2016, U.S. There were 840 bicycle accident-related deaths in the state.
Of these fatal bicycle accidents, 71% occurred in urban areas, where traffic is highest, and slightly more accidents occurred during daylight hours. Most bicycle accidents happen during peak evening hours, between 6 pm. till 8:59 pm
due to bicycle accidents
Motor vehicle accidents account for 90% of bike accident deaths and are most likely to result in catastrophic injury, simply because they are larger, heavier, and faster than a bicycle. Additionally, cyclists do not have as much protection as a person inside a car.
Some of the most common causes of collisions are:
A motor vehicle cuts the cycle as soon as it enters the road.
A motor vehicle turns right and crosses the person cycling directly into the bike lane.
A motor vehicle rear-ends a bike trying to maneuver around a car parked in the bike lane.
The driver of a parked car, truck, or van opens a door in the path of a cyclist.
The cyclist is riding on the wrong side of the road against oncoming traffic.
A motorist or bike rider operates a stoplight or stop sign.
The cyclist makes an unexpected or dangerous step.
However, most bicycle accidents do not involve motor vehicles. Car accidents account for about 30% of all bicycle injuries. The other 70%, due to other issues, may still be very serious, and result in successful lawsuits. Other causes of bicycle injury are:
The cyclist falls from the bike due to the bad road.
The bicycle is worn out, damaged, or poorly repaired.
The cyclist fell from the bike due to an animal attack.
A cyclist collides with a pedestrian or another cyclist.
A cyclist who is out of balance or intoxicated falls off the bike.
A cyclist collides with an object, such as debris on the road, a curb, or a tree
reduce your accident risk
There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of bicycle accidents or reduce the severity of injuries when they occur:
Put a lid on it! Wearing a helmet is the most effective way to prevent head injury as a result of a bike accident. The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that wearing a helmet while cycling reduces the risk of head injury by 50 percent and the risk of injury to the head, face, or neck by 33 percent.
Make a spectacle of your own. Many bicycle accidents happen with motor vehicles because the driver cannot easily see the bike. Increase your visibility by placing reflectors on your bicycle's frame, tires, and pedals, along with lights on the front and rear of your bicycle. Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing whenever you are riding on the road, and especially if you are riding at night.
Do not drive or cycle under the influence of alcohol: In 2016, 22% of fatal bicycle accidents involved intoxication on the part of the driver or cyclist. Drunk cyclists experience all of the same impairments that intoxicated drivers do, including changes in vision, reaction time, depth perception, and judgment. Drunk cycling, while not generally taken as seriously as drunk driving, is a criminal offense.
Who can be held responsible for a bicycle accident?
Liability for a bicycle accident injury depends on the cause of the accident, and who was at fault.
If the driver of the motor vehicle causes an accident, the cyclist can file a claim against the driver or the driver's auto insurance company.
If the road was in poor repair or the cyclist fell due to debris, the cyclist can file a claim against the government agencies responsible for the design or maintenance of the road.
If the bicycle was poorly designed or repaired, the cyclist can file a claim against those responsible for manufacturing or repairing the bicycle for any accidents caused by his negligence.
If the dog jumps on the cyclist and causes injury, the cyclist can file a claim against the dog's owner.
If a pedestrian or any other cyclist causes an accident by violating the path of the injured cyclist, the cyclist can file a claim against them.
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