How to Avoid a Bike Accident

 Posted on March 14,2019 in Bicycle Accidents

With winter on its way out, bicyclists are starting to ride again throughout the greater Chicago area. Bicycling can be a good form of exercise and way to commute to and from work. Unfortunately, bicyclists are much more susceptible to serious injury than car occupants. Around 467,000 Americans are injured in bicycle accidents each year. The most severe bicycle injuries occur in collisions involving cars. If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycle accident due to driver negligence, contact a trusted personal injury legal team as soon as possible. 

How to Prevent Bike Accidents 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,000 Americans were fatally injured in bicycle crashes during a recent 12-month study. While many bicycle accidents are unpreventable because of car driver error or damaged pavement, there are a few steps you can take to increase your safety, as you hop back onto your bike this spring. 

Wear Your Bike Helmet 

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), helmet use can reduce the probability of a head injury by approximately 50 percent. Despite the overwhelming evidence that helmet use is an effective safety measure, many bicyclists elect not to wear them. An estimated 74 percent of bicycle fatalities are related to severe brain trauma, so no matter how far you intend to ride, always wear a helmet.

Avoid Night Bike Rides 

Bicycle riding when it is dark outside can be a dangerous proposition. Car drivers have more difficulty spotting bicyclists when visibility is limited. It can also be difficult for bicyclists to spot objects on the road when riding at night. If you decide to ride your bicycle at night, wear bright clothing, and make sure you equip your bicycle with a headlight for the front and flashing light in the back.

Follow Traffic Laws 

When riding your bike, it is important to follow all traffic laws. Some accidents are caused by cyclist error. While riding your bike, you are required to adhere to traffic lights and traffic lanes. A large number of bicycle-car collisions occur when a bicyclist is traveling the wrong way down a one-way street. Alcohol use is also a factor, as around 1 out of every 5 bicyclists killed have a blood-alcohol content over .08.  

Contact a Waukegan Bicycle Accident Lawyer 

At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our legal team is dedicated to helping you and your family in the event of a serious injury. Even when a bicyclist wears their helmet, impact injuries can be severe. In many instances in which a bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle, the car driver is driving negligently. Your family should not have to pay for injuries suffered due to the recklessness of another party. Our team has helped thousands of Illinois clients secure the injury compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a Lake County personal injury attorney, call our team today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources: 

https://www.helmets.org/stats.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/bicycle/index.html

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/data/factsheet_crash.cfm