Bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale and across Florida are a major concern for parents in the summer. While children relish the freedom of warm summer afternoons for bicycle rides, parents know that bikes can lead to head injuries and Fort Lauderdale hospital stays. Before summer starts, it is a good idea to review bicycle safety with your children. You can do this by:
1) Visiting a bicycle shop to review safety gear. A helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury significantly if your child is in a traffic accident in Fort Lauderdale or another community. Lights and reflective stickers on the bicycle as well as reflective clothing can make your child more visible, making a collision less likely. Your child may be more enthusiastic about safety gear if it is new and if they get to choose. Browsing the options can also help teach your child about the importance of safety.
2) Checking your child’s bicycle. Is the bicycle in good condition and still appropriate for your child’s height? If not, it may be time to replace or repair the bike.
3) Talking with your child about bicycle safety. It is important to review safety issues with your child often, so that they understand the importance of bicycling safely. Make sure your child knows what to do to avoid a bicycle accident in Fort Lauderdale or another community. Review traffic rules, bicycle rules, and best practices.
4) Taking a bicycle ride with your children. This allows you to see whether your children have any bad habits that can lead to an accident. It also allows you to see whether your children have the skills needed to bicycle alone or with friends. A bicycle ride together can be fun and allows your children to build their skills while also reviewing possible safe routes for biking.
5) Setting rules. Set rules for your children about bicycling. Depending on your children’s age and bicycling experience, this may mean no biking in specific areas or late at night. For all children, this should mean rules about helmet use and rules to avoid distracted bicycling. Write the rules up together and make sure that there are consequences if the rules are not followed.
6) Having others talk to your children about bicycle safety. Have your child review websites about bicycle safety or have an older sibling or trusted family friend discuss bicycle safety with your child. Hearing the same message from different sources can help ensure that the information gets through.
If your child has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone’s recklessness, you may be eligible to file a legal claim to pursue compensation. This compensation can help pay for quality medical care for your child as well as other expenses to ensure that your child gets the best help possible as they recover. To find out more about how the law affects your specific case, contact the Flaxman Law Group to review your case with a personal injury attorney in a free accident consultation.