According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bicyclists are at a higher risk of crash-related injury and death than occupants of motor vehicles. The CDC reported almost 467,000 bicycle-related injuries in the U.S. in 2015. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 846 bicyclists lost their lives in accidents in 2019.
Many factors can contribute to bicycle accidents. Please continue reading to learn more about bike accidents, their dangers, and some safety tips to help reduce the risk of a bicycle crash.
Facts About Bicycle Accidents
Many bicycle accidents exhibit specific trends. According to the NHTSA, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., regardless of the season. Over 75 percent of bicyclist deaths happen in urban areas, and bicycle deaths were eight times higher for males than females. Lastly, alcohol was a factor in 37 percent of all fatal bike crashes in 2017.
How do Bike Accidents Happen?
There are a few different types of bike accident scenarios — some bicyclists can fall from their bikes after a collision or be struck and injured by a vehicle. Bike accidents involving cars are often more dangerous because the force of a vehicle’s impact can be immense.
Bike accidents can happen due to a distracted driver, a driver who fails to obey traffic laws or signals, or a hazardous road or bike lane. Drivers who are intoxicated or fail to yield the right of way in traffic can also cause accidents with bicyclists. Bike riders themselves can also contribute to a collision with a vehicle if they fail to follow traffic laws or rules pertaining to bicyclists.
Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are vulnerable to their surroundings, including other motor vehicles on the road. Vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks, are much larger and heavier than bicycles and can cause enormous damage to bicyclists. Some common bicycle accident injuries include but are not limited to:
- Head trauma;
- Neck and back injuries;
- Spinal injuries;
- Broken bones;
- Internal damage;
- Abrasions; and
- Lacerations.
If you suffered one of the above injuries in a bike accident, contact an accident attorney at William Mattar today.
Bike Riding Safety Tips
The NHTSA has provided bicycle riding safety tips that may help reduce your risk of a bike accident. Some of these tips include:
- Ride a bike that fits you and works;
- Wear protective equipment/clothing to make yourself more visible, such as a helmet, bright clothing, reflective gear, and bike lights;
- Ride only one per seat;
- Plan your bike route;
- Drive in the same direction as traffic;
- Obey signs, signals, and road markings;
- Assume the other person doesn’t see you; and
- Do not text or use other distractions.
Of course, as a bicyclist, you must always follow the Vehicle and Traffic Laws. For more bicycle riding safety tips, please visit NHTSA.com.
Injured in a Bike Accident? Call William Mattar
Bicycle accidents can be devastating. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident — whether because of a reckless driver or a dangerous speed bump — contact William Mattar law offices. Our bicycle accident lawyers can fight for you to receive financial compensation for your injuries. Schedule an initial case consultation today by completing our free online form or calling our offices at (844) 444 - 4444.