Statistics, Causes, and Prevention of Bicycle Accidents in the U.S

1. Statistics, Causes, and Prevention of Bicycle Accidents in the U.S

2. Despite bicyclists being cautious and vigilant, they may not be able to control the driving behavior of the other road users. Driving negligently or riding a defective bicycle are risk factors for accidents resulting in serious injuries or death. Bicyclists risk cuts, fractures, internal injuries, and more when riding without safety gear. After an accident, bicyclists may be unaware of many things, including their rights, the legal options for such legal situations, whether they can file a claim for their injuries, and much more. It’s advisable to involve a Bakersfield bicycle accident attorney who will advise you and help you make an informed decision. Statistics and Causes of Bicycle Accidents in the U.S.A Data sourced from the Department of Transportation indicate that over 8,000 people have lost their lives to bicycle- related accidents in a period of ten years. 700,00 others suffered severe injuries. Hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities across the U.S treat over 500,000 victims of bicycle accidents annually, with most occurring in urban places. The common causes of bicycle-related accidents include but are not limited to the following:

3. 1. Negligence A bicycle accident can be caused by the negligence of the bicyclist or other road users, particularly car drivers. Negligence can be in the form of ignoring road signs, overspeeding, engaging in other activities while driving, and much more. The faulting party is liable if it’s established that the accident would have been avoided had they not been negligent. 2. Faulty Bicycles Riding faulty bicycles increase the chances of accidents on the part of cyclists. Supposing a cyclist rides along a highway on a bicycle with braking issues, they would be risking their lives if a vehicle suddenly brakes ahead of them. 3. Riding in Prohibited Places Most jurisdictions have designated paths for bicyclists, and cycling in undesignated areas can attract hefty fines. You cannot be compensated if you’re injured while riding in an undesignated area. If you cause an accident while riding in the wrong place, you should pay the injured person. Residential areas should also have cycling areas for the sake of children.

4. 4. Bad Roads You may be the most cautious bicyclist around and be involved in an accident due to the poor state of the road. A bicyclist can cause an accident when avoiding a damaged section of the road or a pothole. If you’re a rider, ensure you’re familiar with the road terrain before embarking on your journey. 5. Disobeying Bicycle Safety Guidelines Bicycle laws are meant to protect bicyclists since they’re at more risk when an accident involving a car and a bicycle happens. In simple terms, cyclists suffer most in the event of an accident. You may be in a hurry, but your safety is more important when riding in busy places and highways, and complying with the bicycle safety guidelines is the surest way of ensuring you’re safe on the road.

5. Bicycle Safety and Avoiding Bicycle Accidents Bicycles have become a preferred means of commuting besides being used for exercising by many Americans, but they can also cause untold miseries when accidents happen. Did you know that bicyclists share the same privileges as car drivers? The NHTSA’s road initiatives equip road users, particularly car drivers and bicyclists, with skills to help them make safer choices, reducing the number of bicycle-related deaths and injuries on American roads. The following are some of the proposed safety guidelines. Using Safety Riding Gear Most bicyclists often ignore wearing safety gear, but it can be the difference between death and life when an accident happens. Unfortunately, even those who cycle in safety gear are never severe. They’ll often wear oversize or loose helmets that wouldn’t protect them against accident injuries. Besides helmets, ensure your clothes are bright. The bicycle is fitted with reflectors for increased visibility of the other road users, especially at night or when riding in dark areas. Avoiding Crashes

6. Common crashes are falls and car-related crashes, and protection is the game’s name in both situations. The following are some facts that can help bicyclists mitigate the risk of crash accidents. • Most accidents occur between 6 and 9 PM. • Urban places are prone to bicycle accidents compared to rural places. • Bicycle fatalities are 6 times more in males than females. Ample Preparation Preparing yourself for cycling can help reduce the risks of accidents on the part of a bicyclist, and it involves: • Riding a bicycle of the right size, bigger or smaller bicycles are hard to ride, increasing the risk of an accident. • Riding road-worthy bicycles.

7. Safety involves wearing appropriate riding gear. Strap your items on your back to avoid distractions when you tie them on the saddle bar. Tuck the trousers in your socks to avoid interfering with your bike’s chain. • • • Bicycle accidents can get complicated, resulting in missed compensations. However, a Bakersfield bicycle accident attorney can help victims of such accidents recover damages for injuries and property.

8. SOURCE URL https://bioneerslive.org/2022/01/statistics-causes-and- prevention-of-bicycle-accidents-in-the-u-s.html