When a bicycle collides with a motor vehicle, the damages can be devastating. In fact, there were 868 bicycle accident deaths that occurred in 2018, most of whom were adults. Bicycle crashes can also lead to serious injuries, resulting in long-term or even life-threatening consequences for victims.
Accidents that don’t cause death can cause severe, life-changing injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal injuries, and more. Even minor injuries can be life-changing, requiring long-term physical therapy. Bicycle injuries can range from cuts and bruises to fractures, head trauma, and other types of trauma, highlighting the variety of harm that can result from these accidents. Serious injuries often have a lasting impact on a victim’s quality of life and ability to work. Medical expenses from treating these injuries can create a significant financial burden for victims and their families. Lost wages are also a common consequence, as many victims are unable to work while recovering from their injuries. It is crucial to seek medical attention promptly after a bicycle accident to ensure all injuries, including hidden ones, are properly diagnosed and treated.
Bicycle accidents are also most commonly caused by motor vehicle driver negligence, and not because of the fault of the cyclist, which you’ll see reflected below. In the event of a bicycle collision, using proper safety measures such as helmets and having adequate insurance coverage can help protect against further harm and financial loss. Filing a personal injury claim and negotiating with the insurance company are important steps to recover damages for injuries, medical expenses, and other losses. Obtaining fair compensation is essential to cover all damages and losses resulting from a bicycle accident.
Introduction to Bicycle Safety
Bicycle safety is a crucial concern for anyone who rides, whether for commuting, exercise, or recreation. Bicycle accidents happen more often than many realize, and the consequences can be severe, ranging from minor scrapes to catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries or even fatalities. Understanding the most common causes of bicycle accidents—such as distracted driving, reckless driving, and failure to follow traffic laws—can help both cyclists and drivers take steps to prevent accidents. Cyclists should always be vigilant, obey all traffic laws, and take safety precautions like wearing helmets and other protective gear. Using reflective clothing and lights, especially in low-visibility conditions, can also reduce the risk of being involved in a bicycle accident. By staying alert and proactive, cyclists can help prevent accidents and protect themselves from severe injuries on the road.
Road Hazards and Conditions
Road hazards and poor conditions are significant contributors to bicycle accidents. Potholes, cracks, loose gravel, and debris can cause a cyclist to lose control, leading to a sudden fall or a dangerous collision with a motor vehicle. In addition, adverse weather conditions—such as rain, snow, or ice—can make roads slippery and reduce visibility for both cyclists and drivers, increasing the risk of a bicycle accident. Cyclists should always scan the road ahead for potential hazards and adjust their speed accordingly. Taking safety precautions, like wearing a helmet and other protective gear, can help minimize injury risks if a crash does occur. Whenever possible, cyclists should use dedicated bike lanes or bike paths to avoid the dangers posed by poor road conditions.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles. When a motor vehicle operator is focused on their phone, eating, or any other activity that takes their attention away from the road, they are far less likely to notice a cyclist sharing the roadway. This lack of attention can result in devastating collisions, especially in busy areas or at intersections. To prevent accidents, it is essential for drivers to stay alert and follow all traffic laws, keeping their focus on the road at all times. Cyclists, too, should be aware of their surroundings and anticipate that not all drivers will be paying attention. By understanding the dangers of distracted driving, both cyclists and drivers can take steps to prevent bicycle accidents and keep everyone safer on the road.
Drivers Not Giving Cyclists Enough Space
One of the most common causes of bicycle accidents is when motor vehicles fail to give cyclists enough space on the road. Drivers should always maintain a safe distance—at least three feet—when passing a cyclist to prevent accidents and allow both parties enough room to react to unexpected situations. When vehicle drivers crowd cyclists or pass too closely, they increase the risk of a serious collision. Cyclists can help prevent accidents by wearing reflective gear, especially at night or in low-light conditions, and by following all traffic laws to remain as visible and predictable as possible. Taking these safety precautions can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of bicycle accidents caused by insufficient space.
Drivers Speeding Past Bicyclists
Speeding is a dangerous behavior that increases the risk and severity of all types of accidents, including those involving bicycles. When drivers speed past bicyclists, they reduce their own reaction time and make it much harder to avoid a collision if the cyclist needs to swerve or stop suddenly. High speeds also mean that any resulting bicycle accident is likely to cause more severe injuries. Cyclists should be especially cautious when riding in areas with higher speed limits or heavy traffic and should always wear protective gear and follow traffic laws to help prevent accidents. By taking these safety precautions, both drivers and cyclists can work together to make the roads safer for everyone.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of all types of collisions, including bicycle accidents. Driver distraction, such as texting, talking on the phone, or using social media, is a significant factor in bicycle accidents and greatly increases the risk of hitting bicyclists, especially at intersections.
When we think about distractions, we often think about texting or talking on the phone, but those aren’t the only distractions that can cause an accident to occur.
Any act that takes one’s mind, eyes, or ears off the road is a distraction, such as eating, applying makeup, using social media, or talking to someone in the back seat. Drivers may see these tasks as harmless, but they aren’t; they’re negligent.
Drivers Not Giving Cyclists Enough Space
When a driver doesn’t leave a safe distance between their vehicle and a cyclist, they are much more likely to hit the cyclists. When they don’t leave a buffer, it gives both the cyclist and the driver a smaller margin to avoid potential accidents and obstacles.
Drivers Speeding Past Bicyclists
Drivers sometimes believe that speeding past a bicyclist is the right move, allowing them to get out of the way of the cyclist as fast as possible, but speeding actually makes matters worse. Exceeding the speed limit increases the risk of bicycle accidents by reducing drivers’ reaction time and increasing the severity of collisions, especially in high-traffic areas.
Not only does speeding decrease the driver’s stopping time, putting them at a higher risk for an accident, but it also decreases their ability to make quick decisions to avoid accidents.
Aggressive Driving Through Traffic
Impatient drivers may weave in between traffic, switching lanes frequently to avoid slow drivers. Unsafe lane and unsafe lane changes are critical factors contributing to bicycle accidents, especially when drivers fail to check blind spots or signal properly. When a driver weaves between cars, they’re less likely to see a cyclist (whether they’re on the road or in the emergency/bicycle lane).
Driver Making an Abrupt Lane Change
Weaving refers to the act of moving in and out of lanes multiple times. However, even one abrupt lane change is enough to cause a bicycle accident. If a driver makes an abrupt lane change without looking, they could hit a cyclist.
Because bicycles are small, they’re more likely to stay in someone’s blind spot, meaning drivers have to really look before making a lane change.
Turning without Looking Out for Cyclists
When turning at a stop sign or a red light, drivers must take a moment to ensure that no pedestrians or cyclists are going through the intersection. Intersection accidents are a common cause of bicycle accidents, often resulting from drivers failing to properly check for cyclists and other vehicles.
When a cyclist is going straight, either in the same direction (right turn) or from the opposite direction (left turn), a driver might not see an oncoming cyclist if they aren’t paying close enough attention to the road. Drivers should always be aware of oncoming traffic, including bicycles, when making turns to prevent collisions.
Driver Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
Running a red light or a stop sign in a suburban area is a common and easily avoidable cause of accidents. Obeying stop signs and traffic signals is crucial to prevent collisions, especially at intersections where misinterpretation or disregard of these traffic signals can lead to serious accidents. When a driver plows through a light without stopping, they’re likely to hit someone, striking them from the side. These types of accidents are particularly severe, as drivers are often traveling at high speeds.
Drunk Driving or Driving While High
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to impaired vision, poor critical thinking skills, and the inability to make potentially life-saving decisions. Impaired driving is a leading cause of auto accidents, including those involving bicycles.
In Florida, drivers who have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher are considered to be too intoxicated to drive. However, when it comes to drugged driving, there is no standard to meet. If there are drugs in one’s system, it’s a DUI.
Driver Fatigue
Driving while tired is one of those things that people never see as a problem until it is. Fatigued driving is shown to be just as dangerous as impaired driving, according to some studies.
It only takes a few seconds of having one’s eyes closed to cause an accident. If a bicyclist is driving nearby, a fatigued driver can easily drift out of their lane and cause an accident.
Driver Opens Door without Looking
On busy city streets, cars are parked on both sides of the road, with little room for bicyclists to ride safely. Dooring accidents occur when a car door is suddenly opened into the path of an oncoming cyclist, often from a parked car or parked cars, creating a significant risk in urban areas. If a driver opens their door without looking, a cyclist may not have enough time to correct their path, hitting the door or causing them to hurt themselves while attempting to avoid the door.
Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney Near Me
Bicycle riders are at risk of an accident at all times. Bicyclists must always be on the lookout for their own safety. Nonetheless, it’s important that motor vehicle drivers are practicing proper road safety. After all, almost all bicycle accidents occur because of the motor vehicle operator.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a bike accident, it is crucial to consult a personal injury lawyer or personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced bicycle accident attorneys have the expertise to handle your bicycle accident case, provide strong legal representation, and guide you through the legal process. We offer a free consultation to crash victims and are committed to helping injured bicyclists recover compensation for their injuries.
Our firm understands the various bicycle accident injury risks and the importance of legal support after a bicycle crash. We handle a wide range of cycling accidents and bicycling accidents, including those that occur on busy streets, in areas lacking a designated bike path, or due to mechanical failure. We can also assist clients in navigating issues with their personal health insurance policy to ensure medical expenses are covered.
We educate our clients on important safety measures to help prevent future accidents and are dedicated to supporting crash victims throughout their recovery and legal journey.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us at (772) 225-4900.
