Articles Posted in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycles have been growing in popularity over the past few years. In fact, statistics show that worldwide, there are three times as many new bicycles as there are new cars. Over the past two decades, bicycle sales worldwide have grown more quickly than car sales. Many bicycle enthusiasts love the environmentally conscious option of bicycles and plenty of bicycle enthusiasts are active people who want to get in shape.

While bicycling can mean a greener mode of transport and better health, however, it can also mean bicycle accidents. In Florida, bicycle accidents claim many lives each year and cause serious injuries. In fact, many Florida spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries each year are caused by bicycle accidents in Hollywood, Miami, and other Florida cities and towns.

Florida brain injuries are a common injury sustained in bicycle accidents. According to researchers, about 80% of all bicycle accident fatalities are caused by brain injuries. In p to two-thirds of patients admitted to hospital after a bicycle accident, the cause of injury is a brain injury. Patients admitted to hospital with brain injuries following a bicycle accident are 20 times more likely to die when compared with bicycle accident victims who have sustained other types of injuries.

As the weather improves and becomes warmer, many people take their bicycles out of storage after a long winter. Bicycling in the springtime is a wonderful way to get exercise and some fresh air, but it does pose some dangers. Bicycling accidents are more common in the springtime as more people head outside on their bicycles. Many drivers are not used to sharing the road with bicycles in the winter and may not be prepared to yield. You can help prevent bicycle accidents and personal injuries with a few tips:

1) Tune up your bicycles. After a long winter, your bicycle tires, brakes, and wheels may be affected. Now is the time to make sure that your bicycle is working safely and well. Check the chains, wheels, tires, and brakes to make sure that they are working well or take your bicycle to a bicycle shop for a tune-up. Make sure that all your bicycles are ready to go for the warm weather. Be especially vigilant about children’s bicycles. Bicycle accidents are a leading cause of injuries to children and minors.

2) Review bicycle safety. If you have children, now is a great time to contact their school about having a bicycle safety demonstration or presentation in school. Many local police authorities offer such services for free. All your school has to do is phone and request the service. You can also review bicycle safety with your children by yourself. Even adults who have not been bicycling for a while should consider reviewing bicycle safety and hands signaling rules to ensure that they are ready for bicycling. You can forget a lot about bicycling in a few winter months.

If you are bicycling through or near construction sites, you face a number of added obstacles and hazards. Construction sites may have uneven ground which can lead you to fall off your bicycle and sustain a head injury or a broken bone. Construction sites may also cause you to collide with workers or pieces of equipment. Here are some ways you can help prevent this type of accident and the personal injuries it can cause:

1) Plan ahead. Read about construction projects in your area online or in the newspaper. Your State Department of Transportation website may also list construction sites. Consider planning a route which does not take you past a construction site. This is often your safest option.

2) If you drive past a construction site, take stock. If you cannot avoid a construction site, evaluate the situation as you approach. Is there a detour for bicycle? Is there a “Road Closed to Bicycles” sign? Respect all signs and detours. If there are no detours or signs prohibiting bicycles, you may pass through the site, using some extra caution.

Recently, there has been a great deal of information in the news about distracted driving. A number of news stories have reported on the dangers of driving while texting or talking on cell phones. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured distracted driving in a bid to send the message that texting and cell phone use while driving causes car accidents and other accidents. There are even groups calling for new legislation which would ban mobile device use in cars across the country.

There is no doubt that distracted driving is a major danger on our streets and can also lead to pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. Distracted drivers don’t just hit inanimate objects and other cars. In some cases, they hit pedestrians and bicyclists. Since bicyclists are not protected by a layer of metal and glass, the way drivers are, they are more likely to sustain serious head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries which may prove permanent or fatal. When distracted drivers collide with bicyclists, the results are often deadly.

While much has been said and written about distracted driving, however, less has been said about distracted bicyclists. While drivers need to avoid distracted driving to keep themselves, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers safe, bicyclists also have a responsibility to keep themselves safe by not getting distracted when riding. Unfortunately, the message about distracted bicyclists is not being made as forcefully.

Today, many people are choosing to commute to work on bicycle. Bicycles save on car costs significantly and can provide a great source of exercise as well. However, trying to maneuver a bike through rush-hour traffic early in the morning can also cause bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious personal injuries. Here’s how to arrive at work safely:

1) Choose the right route. The route you take to work via car is likely not the route you want to take on your bicycle. Trying to weave around rush-hour traffic early in the morning is dangerous. Consider taking bike paths (which will likely get you to your destination sooner, thanks to minimal traffic) or less congested streets.

2) Build your bicycle know-how. If you haven’t taken your bike out for years, hone your skills with several afternoon rides before you try to make it to work. Consider taking a refresher course in bicycle safety. Get ready for your commute.

A few additional accessories can help you prevent a bicycle accident and injury. These items can make a big difference and can ensure that your bicycle is safer:

1) A bicycle helmet. You should never hop on your bicycle without a helmet. A helmet is inexpensive and helps protect you from one of the most common injuries associated with bicycle accidents. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, helmets can prevent up to 85% of head injuries caused by bicycle accidents. Since 75% of all bicycle accident fatalities are linked to brain injury, the helmet is the most important piece of safety gear for all bicyclists.

2) Lights. You should have a red read light and a white front light. These can be clipped onto your back, handlebars, and seat and are essential to ensure that drivers and pedestrians see you coming. For your front light, opt for a white LED light that will help improve your visibility, too.

Many people assume that bicycle accidents are “too small” to require an attorney. This is, in fact, incorrect. Bicycle accidents cause fatalities each year as well as serious injuries, including brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries. Even minor accidents can severely affect a bicyclist’s life. If you have been in a bicycle accident, a qualified Florida personal injury attorney can:

1) Help you understand your legal rights. Many bicyclists do not fully understand their rights if they have been struck by a car. Unfortunately, many motorists and some authorities blame bicyclists for accidents involving cars, even when a driver was at fault. An attorney can ensure that you are not blamed for an accident that was not your fault.

2) Help you get the assistance you are entitled to under the law. Even if you have been in a relatively minor accident, you may have to pay many costs stemming from the incident. You may have hospital and doctor bills, you may have lost income, and you may need to replace your bicycle and other personal property. If you have been in a serious accident, you may need surgery, physiotherapy, and additional assistance. Without legal help, you might have to pay many of these costs out of pocket. An attorney can ensure that you get help to pay for these costs.

While most bicyclists know the importance of wearing a helmet and following the rules of the road, there are some minor details which can help avoid accidents. Car-bicyclist accidents can cause serious brain damage, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other personal injury. In some cases, these accidents lead to fatalities, so it is important to pay attention to the little things that can affect your safety when you ride:

1) Wear goggles, a face shield, or plastic lenses as well as your helmet. Dirt, pebbles, wind, and insects can fly into your face and eyes when you bicycle, injuring you and causing you to veer of the road. Wearing proper eye protection ensures good visibility and protects your eyes.

2) Wear the right shoes. Do not bike with flip-flops, sandals, or laced shoes that can get caught up in your bike chain. Look for flat and thin-soled shoes with good treads so that your feet will not slip off the pedals. Wear shoes that wear well, and comfortable, and will not easily fall off your feet.

In addition to exercising caution on the roads and following road rules, bicyclists can help prevent accidents and serious personal injury by keeping their bicycles in good condition. Proper maintenance ensures that a bicycle is safe to ride and responds well in an emergency. A poorly-maintained bicycle can break down and even cause an accident. Tips for property bicycle maintenance include:

1) Keep your handle bars well aligned. This can help you keep control of your bicycle. If your bike is not steering or responding well, take a look at the handle bars. Also, make sure that the bicycle – and handle bars – are suited for your height. Get a professional to help you if you are not sure if your bike is adjusted for you correctly.

2) Check your chains before you ride. If your chains fall off, you could fall off your bike – something that can be quite serious on a busy street. Check for signs of looseness, rust, and other problems.

Bicycle accidents are often caused by vehicles or, more specifically, by driver inattention. However, bicyclists also have a responsibility to stay safe on the road. Some bicyclists do take unnecessary risks, even though a car-bicyclist collision is far more likely to seriously harm the bicyclist rather than the driver. There are several things that bicyclists can do to stay safer:

1) Watch out for more than cars. Although most serious spinal cord injuries, broken bones, fatalities, and brain injuries occur when bicyclists are in collisions with cars, bicyclists can also be serious injured when they fall off their bike or encounter an obstacle. Keep an eye out for uneven terrain and for animals as well as other potential problems on the road.

2) Get to know your bicycle routes. It pays to hike your routes before you bicycle them. That way, you can spot potential dangers as well as lights, stop signs, and other things you need to be aware of.