Bicycle Accidents in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto bicycle accident lawyer. Bicycling is popular for its health benefits, leisure, and means of transportation in California. Whether you ride your bike around the block with friends and family or use it to commute to work, it is crucial to understand why bicycle accidents happen and how to avoid them to ensure your safety.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
Reading national statistics surrounding the incidence of bicycle accidents can be useful to know when cycling on the street.
- Helmet use has been found to reduce the chances of face and throat injuries by 33 percent and the likelihood of head trauma by 50 percent (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Accidents involving bicyclists were found to have more traumatic injuries over all age groups compared to other sports. Approximately 488,123 cyclists received emergency room treatment in 2015 after sustaining injuries while riding (according to the National Safety Council)
- About 840 bicyclists lost their lives in auto accidents in 2016. Of this number, roughly 84 percent were male within the average age range of 55 to 59 years (according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
- Bicycle accidents causing non-fatal and fatal injuries to riders resulted in productivity losses and lifetime medical care expenses of $10 billion in 2010, the year for which comprehensive data is available (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Watch YouTube Video – New Tests Show Some Bicycle Helmets Protect Heads Better Than Others
The following video illustrates how new tests have shown that some bicycle helmets are more effective in reducing the occurrence of concussion-type injuries in an accident than others.
9 Tips to Avoid Bicycle Accidents
Since bicyclists share the road with motor vehicles, they must exercise additional caution when they ride. Check out our favorite 9 tips a rider should consider to avoid a bicycle accident:
- Avoid riding a bike that is too big for you as it may be more difficult for you to control on the road
- Be aware and alert of your surroundings. Be a defensive bicyclist. Expect that the motorist doesn’t see you
- Follow the rules of the road by riding with the flow of traffic along the right hand side of the street
- Inspect your bike brakes and tires frequently
- Install equipment such as a red rear light, white front light, and reflectors on your bicycle so you are visible at night and other times
- Never go out for a ride without a properly fitted helmet. Protect your head
- Ride defensively in the event of a distracted, reckless, or drunk driver on the road
- Stay focused while cycling and avoid wearing earphones as they may impair your ability to hear oncoming traffic
- Wear clothing that makes you more visible to approaching motorists such as reflective gear and bright clothing
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
When a bicyclist is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, the rider is often left with severe trauma requiring an extended period of emergency medical care and rehabilitation as well as time lost from work. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney in Modesto is crucial in understanding what your rights to compensation may be.
Modesto Bicycle Accident & Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto bicycle accident lawyer. Many accidents still occur on a regular basis despite statewide efforts to improve bicycle safety. If you or a family member were injured in an accident caused by the negligent actions of a driver, I can offer you free, friendly legal advice on your situation. Please feel free to call me anytime at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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Image Credit: By “zhivko” via Pixabay under CC0 Creative Commons
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