Bicycle Accident Injuries Epidemic in Sacramento County
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. Bicycle accidents are increasing as more cyclists are taking to the road. The duty of care motorists have is offset by that of bicyclists. In order to decrease the likelihood of accidents, both groups need to practice safe roadway skills.
Bicycle Accidents Nationally
In 2015, there were 467,000 injuries due to bicycle accidents and roughly 1,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The economic loss due to such accidents in the 2010 fiscal year was reported to be about $10 billion. This covers medical costs and overall productivity losses.
2016 National Data
Data for the year 2016, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reveals a decrease in fatal accidents by 165 fewer deaths. The majority of cyclists killed were over 20 years of age. Since 1975, the number of young bicyclists (under 20) has decreased by 87 percent, while the number of older cyclists killed has increased by 300 percent. Data shows that male bicyclists are killed more often than female cyclists. The majority of fatalities (51 percent) involved cyclists without helmets. Twenty-two percent of those killed over 16 had a high blood alcohol concentration. The majority of deaths (71 percent) occurred in urban areas. Roughly over a third (36 percent) of all accidents happened at intersections. Two-thirds of accidents were on principal roadways. Those under 20 had more accidents on lesser roads.
Bicycle Accidents in Sacramento County and Elk Grove
The California Office of Traffic Safety cites 620 bicycle accidents occurring in 2015, making the county 11th when compared with 51 counties in California. Eighty of the cyclists injured or killed were under the age of 15, placing Sacramento County in the number two spot.
Thirty-one cyclists were killed or injured in Elk Grove in 2015. This made it 31st out of 57 other California cities of a similar size. Of these, 14 were under 15 years of age, making the city number one for younger cyclist deaths and injuries.
Helmets
By law, as described in California vehicle code 21212, a cyclist under 18 is not allowed to operate a bicycle on bike ways, streets or bike trails intended for public use without a helmet. This law also covers passengers in a second seat or those in a trailer attached to the bike. The helmet must be fastened and fit properly. It must also meet the American Society for Testing and Materials or The Consumer Product Safety Commision of the United States standards. Bicyclists over 18 are not required to wear helmets. Out of all fatal bicycle accidents, head injury was involved in 74 percent of them. Of all cyclists who were killed in an accident, 97 percent were not using a helmet. Helmets reduced the incidence of traumatic brain injury by 51 percent.
Wrong Way Bicycle Drivers and Intersections
Bicyclists riding in the opposite direction of traffic in an intersection are likely to get in an accident. In such cases, the cyclist is on the left side of the street, making it easy for someone turning right at the intersection to hit them. The frequency of this type of crash is enhanced by the fact that a motor vehicle driver turning right will be more inclined to look left rather than right. The take home tip is to ride with traffic and not against it.
Related Article by Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer Ed Smith ~
Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. Injury in a bicycle accident can lead to high medical bills and lost wages and in some instances death. If this has happened to you or a family member, you should have the input an experienced injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 694-0002 locally or (800) 404-5400 outside the calling area. I will give you friendly and free advice.
I’ve assisted residents of Northern California, including those in Elk Grove, over the past 35 years with pedestrian and truck accidents as well as those involving motorcycles, dog bites and wrongful deaths.
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Trial attorneys who obtain $1 million or more in settlements and verdicts are invited to join the Million Dollar Advocates. I’m a California member.
Check my settlements and verdicts page for more on prior cases I resolved.
Top Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/bicycle-riders-riding-cycling-2071825/
Final Photo Attribution: Ed Smith, personal injury lawyer Elk Grove
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