Now that spring is here and the weather is warming up, it won’t be long before you notice people riding bikes around the park, the neighborhood, or to and from work. Unfortunately, having to share the road with drivers often results in accidents and serious injuries for cyclists. To keep roadways as safe as possible and lower the risk of bike accidents, both cyclists and drivers need to adopt safe practices and understand applicable laws. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, the skilled nationwide bike accident attorneys at Local Accident Reports can help you navigate the claims process and gather the evidence you need to see a successful outcome to your injury claim.
How Do Bicycle Accidents Affect Victims?
Bike accidents can have a wide range of both psychological and physical effects on the injured party. Common bicycle accident injuries include broken and fractured bones, abrasions, paralysis and other spinal cord injuries, head injuries, internal organ damage, and other internal injuries. Serious bike accidents can even result in long-term or permanent physical handicaps that can lead to a decreased ability to accomplish day-to-day tasks. Disabilities, chronic pain, and mobility issues can greatly restrict a victim’s independence as well as adversely impact both their professional and personal life along with their overall quality of life.
Bicycle accidents may also have a serious emotional impact on the victims, many of whom develop emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the trauma of the incident. These conditions can have a considerable impact on a victim’s mental health and well-being and often require professional therapy and support in order to heal properly.
Additionally, cycling accidents can lead to significant economic hurdles for the victims. Medical bills, including emergency room and ambulance fees, hospitalizations, surgeries, prescription medicines, and physical rehabilitation, accumulate quickly. Injured cyclists can also face damages related to repairing or replacing their bikes and other damaged property. In bike accidents where injuries lead to long-term disability, victims often endure a loss of earnings as well as a reduced earning capacity.
The injuries sustained by bike accident victims can also disrupt their personal relationships and social connections. They might require support from friends, relatives, and the general community during their recovery. They can face challenges when attempting to return to work, engage in hobbies, or even participate in social activities, which can have a negative effect on their overall well-being.
Safety Tips For Cyclists
In a collision between a bicycle rider and a motor vehicle, the injuries endured by the rider are almost always going to be more serious and more traumatic. To ensure that you remain as safe as possible while enjoying a bike ride, you can:
- Always Wear a Helmet: Without question, the most vital piece of safety equipment for cyclists is a well-fitting helmet. Wearing a helmet greatly lowers the risk of brain and head injuries in case of a collision or a fall. Make sure to choose a helmet that meets all current safety standards and never ride without it.
- Make Sure You Are Visible: You can make sure you are visible to drivers by wearing brightly-colored or reflective clothes, especially in the evening and at night. Make sure your bike is equipped with lights and reflectors in the front and back, and always use proper hand signals to make your intentions known.
- Obey All Traffic Laws: Just like drivers, bicycle riders are required to obey all driving laws. Always yield to pedestrians, stop at stop signs and red lights, and ride facing away from traffic. Signal before you turn, use bike lanes if they are available, and do not weave in and out of traffic.
- Be Predictable: Maintain a predictable and steady line of travel. Do not dart or swerve in and out of or around traffic. This will allow drivers to foresee your movements and reduce the risk of an accident.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Cyclists should always be alert, aware of their surroundings, and on the lookout for potential dangers such as potholes, opening car doors, motor vehicles, pedestrians, and even other cyclists. Be aware of parked cars and watch for any movement that could indicate someone backing up or exiting the vehicle.
- Use Designated Routes and Bike Paths: Whenever possible, stick to riding on designated cycling routes and dedicated bike paths. These places offer a safer environment for riding, away from the flow of traffic, and lessen the risk of crashes.
Safety Tips for Drivers
When drivers behave recklessly or negligently, they are capable of causing catastrophic injuries to cyclists. Avoid causing a devastating bike accident by:
- Respecting a Rider’s Space: Treat bicycle riders the same way you would another driver. Leave ample room (at least three feet) when overtaking a cyclist. Never tailgate and be patient when waiting to pass a cyclist.
- Checking Your Blind Spots: Before changing lanes, merging, or turning, always check your vehicle’s blind spots for bicyclists. Due to their significantly smaller size, they are often challenging to see. Always signal in advance and use your mirrors.
- Avoiding Distractions: Any distractions, like eating, changing radio stations, and using your cell phone, should be avoided while you are behind the wheel. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the United States. Don’t put yourself, cyclists, and other drivers at risk. Keep your focus on safe driving.
- Using Caution When Opening Car Doors: When parked along a curb or a bicycle lane, always check your mirrors and blind spots before opening your car door. “Dooring” accidents can severely injure bicyclists.
- Being Patient: A bicycle cannot travel as fast as a motor vehicle. When sharing the road with a bicycle rider, exercise some patience and don’t honk or drive aggressively. Take a breath and wait for a safe moment to pass.
- Being Mindful at Intersections: Intersections are common locations for all types of accidents, including bicycle accidents. Keep an eye out for cyclists before proceeding through an intersection or making a turn. Yield the right of way to riders in accordance with your local laws.
Consult With a Bike Accident Lawyer Today
Preventing bike accidents demands a collaborative effort between everybody who uses the road. By following the above-listed safety tips, both drivers and cyclists can contribute to a more harmonious and safer sharing of the roadway. Being aware of your surroundings, obeying driving laws, and showing mutual respect are essential to preventing serious accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users. If you were injured in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own, contact the nationwide bicycle accident lawyers at Local Accident Reports. We will work to ensure you receive maximum compensation under the law. Call (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free consultation.
