Bicycle accidents involving automobiles are rare, but they do happen. Usually, an automobile is involved in a bicycle accident, and the cyclist is not at fault. But there are some risk factors to consider when you are cycling. The following article discusses some of these risk factors and the importance of using proper caution. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of a bicycle accident.
Remember, after medical attention, you need to think about how to approach the claims process. For that, you will need a top bicycle accident lawyer. Generally, they work on contingency and offer a free consultation, so there is no risk in calling them.
Distracted driving
One of the biggest causes of automobile accidents in the United States is distracted driving. It’s also one of the most common causes of bicycle accidents. When a bicycle rider is struck by a distracted driver, they may suffer life-altering injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and internal organ damage. These injuries can make it nearly impossible to work and provide for your family, and they may even cause you mental distress. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver’s insurance company for your injuries and losses. However, to obtain a settlement, you will need to establish that the motorist was distracted and failed to see you.
While distracted drivers may be aware of bicyclists and may have enough distance to avoid hitting them, if they fail to look, they could cause a collision. Bicyclists may be unprotected, and in the worst case scenario, they may not notice the bicycle until it’s too late. Despite their helmets, they still have little protection and can’t avoid accidents with cars.
Unsafe lane changes
Drivers must take care while changing lanes to make sure that a cyclist or pedestrian is not in their blind spot. Inadequate lane change procedures can cause serious accidents. This is why drivers must always use turn signals when switching lanes. Drivers should also always check for vehicles in their blind spots before making a change. Failure to use turn signals can lead to a serious accident, and the driver can be held liable for negligent lane change.
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to collisions caused by unsafe lane changes. Distracted drivers are less attentive to the road and may not be aware of the motorcycle riders’ presence. They often fail to check their blind spots and mirrors, which makes them less likely to notice a biker or motorcyclist. In these cases, it is difficult to make an accurate lane change. As a result, the risks of injuries and death are increased.
Failure to yield the right-of-way
A failure to yield the right-of-way by a motorist can lead to catastrophic injuries and costs. Bicycle crashes often involve drivers who have failed to yield to cyclists. Failure to yield could occur due to a lack of proper observation, obstructed view, or an illegal turn. As a result, victims of these accidents can face a long recovery process, requiring extensive medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses.
The law considers bicycles to be vehicles under state law. As such, they are required to follow traffic laws, including yielding to cyclists and signaling their turns. If bicyclists are involved in a car accident involving a car, their right-of-way is determined by who failed to yield. A failure to yield to a cyclist can result in serious injuries or even fatality.
Failure to have working brake lights
A motor vehicle driver’s failure to have working brake lights is a major cause of bike accidents. While it is not always the driver’s fault, failing to have working lights may have a serious impact on a cyclist’s safety. Drivers are often not paying attention or don’t stop in time. A vehicle without working brake lights can hit a cyclist from behind. Failure to have working lights can result in a fatal collision.
It is the motorist’s responsibility to yield the right of way to cyclists. Vehicle codes in every state specify that drivers must yield to cyclists, who are entitled to the right-of-way. It is also a good idea to use lights and reflective clothing. It is important to use them regardless of the time of day. Lastly, cyclists should always have an out when approaching an intersection.
Injury severity
A bicyclist can suffer horrific injuries if he or she is hit by a car. About 40% of bicycle accidents involve a car. While road rash is a common occurrence, severe injuries can include herniated spinal disks and paralysis. In addition to abrasions, fractures, and ripped ligaments, being hit by a car can cause a lifelong disability or even death.
Researchers have been studying the relationship between various factors and the injury severity of cyclists and car occupants. For example, studies have shown that the severity of injuries is related to estimated impact speed and age. Therefore, speed should be taken into account when planning the road environment. However, the research is not complete. There are many more studies and data that need to be collected to understand how to improve bicycle safety. This study aims to fill in this information and help policymakers better protect cyclists.
Cost of injuries
Injuries resulting from bicycle accidents cost the American economy more than $24.4 billion each year. That figure includes hospital bills, readmissions, rehabilitation, nursing home stays, lost income, productivity, and quality of life. Bicycle accidents also result in higher insurance premiums. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of bicycle accidents has increased by 5% each year. The costs are expected to continue to rise because of the increased number of cyclists and motorists on the road.
Bicycle crashes involve a higher level of complexity than car collisions, making the costs of such accidents more difficult to estimate. The study team used data collected from 1997 to 2013 from various sources. These data included fatal and non-fatal crashes. The researchers used this information to estimate costs by age group. The cost per victim is strongly influenced by the severity of injuries and the amount of lost productivity. The researchers also looked at the number of lost days and productivity, and calculated the overall costs.
