Common Bicycle Accident Causes
While motorists may say that a cyclist is responsible for an accident in some cases, the most common bicycle accident causes around Fair Oaks are due to a negligent driver. It has been shown that driver error causes 94 percent of all traffic collisions, and this pertains to crashes with bicyclists too. When a bicyclist in Fair Oaks becomes injured due to a negligent motorist, they are entitled to recover fair compensation for their injuries. Understanding common bicycle accident causes can help a rider be more active in their own safety while riding defensively.
Driver Error as a Cause of Bicycle Accidents
Most of the common bicycle accident causes can be eliminated by the motorists who share the road with riders. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 840 bicyclists were killed in traffic collisions in 2016. Following are some of the ways in which motorists are negligent:
- Distracted driving: Both motorists and bicycle riders are guilty of distraction at times, and this can lead to an accident. Texting and talking on a cell phone is the major cause of distractions.
- Speeding: Drivers who go above the speed limit have a shorter period of time to react, and this is one of the common bicycle accident causes.
- Alcohol and drugs: Drunk driving is a major cause of all varieties of car accidents. Certain drugs, including illegal ones and over-the-counter and prescription medications, can also affect a motorist’s ability to drive safely.
- Failure to stop: Disobeying traffic signs and signals is a major cause of bicycle accidents as well as other traffic collisions. Around 40 percent of all crashes occur at intersections, and running a red light is a major cause.
- Weather and time of day: Most bicyclists try to avoid going out in bad weather, however, the time of day can impact whether they are seen by a motorist. The glare of the late afternoon sun makes it more difficult for a motorist to spot a rider. A bicyclist out in the rain is also less visible.
Obtaining Compensation Following a Bicycle Accident
Contacting a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation is a good idea when your bicycle accident was caused by a negligent driver. The attorney can assist by reviewing the police report for inaccuracies, interviewing witnesses, performing accident reconstruction and using other methods to build a strong case. In this way, the injured bicyclist can recover the personal injury damages needed to pay for their medical costs, time lost at work and the pain and suffering they have endured.
Fair Oaks Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fair Oaks bicycle accident lawyer. While cities and towns around Fair Oaks are becoming more bicycle friendly, accidents still happen. If you are injured, you can face high medical bills and other costs that should be the responsibility of the negligent driver. For free and friendly advice, please call (916) 921-6400 locally, (800) 404-5400 elsewhere, or at AutoAccident.com use an online form to contact me.
Learning about a law practice is a good way to decide whom to call for advice and help. Below, you will find reviews and comments left by my former clients as well as information on some of our prior cases and how they resolved:
The National Association of Distinguished Counsel recognizes fewer than one percent of lawyers nationwide who they feel uphold the highest standards in the legal profession. I am a member of California. The Million Dollar Forum allows only those trial attorneys to join who have won in excess of one million dollars for a former client, and I am a proud member of this group.
In my 37 years as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve helped many Fair Oaks residents, along with other Northern Californians, to obtain fair compensation in all types of car accidents, cases involving wrongful death and traumatic injuries.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_187521286_l-2015
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