Fair Oaks Bicycle Accident Involves Juvenile
A Toyota sedan hit two cyclists on Dewey Drive in a Fair Oaks bicycle accident on May 30 at about 2:00 p.m. The cyclists have been identified as a female and a juvenile.
The crash happened in the 5000 block of Dewey just south of Madison Avenue. Southbound traffic was halted for a time as the bicycle accident was cleared and police investigated the cause. An ambulance was called to the scene to transport the injured to a local medical facility. The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene. No indication has been given as to whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2017, almost 780 cyclists were killed in a bicycle accident nationwide. This amounts to two cyclists killed each hour. The number of deaths has soared in California in the last decade in large part due to its pleasant weather. In addition, more people are using bicycles to travel to and from work as well as for leisure activities. Fatalities are highest in the 15-to 20-year-old age range. The number of injuries due to a motor vehicle/bicycle collision has also increased dramatically. However, only 10 percent of injuries are ever reported.
Common Causes of a Bicycle Accident
Here are some of the most common causes of bicycle crashes:
- Speeding: Speeding is a major factor in many types of accidents, including those involving bicycles. If the motorist is driving too fast, the risk of not being able to stop in time is higher. This can cause catastrophic injuries to the cyclist. As with pedestrian accidents, even a small increase in speed can make the difference between life and death.
- Drugs and alcohol: The use of alcohol and drugs has pervaded every aspect of society, including traffic accidents. Drunk driving is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths each year. Neither motorists nor cyclists should take to the road when impaired.
- Weather: No one can control the weather. This means that many cyclists are caught in a rainstorm or icy conditions. It’s not just inclement weather, however. The blinding sun can make it impossible to see the road at certain times of the day. This can limit a motorist’s view of cyclists, even those riding in close proximity. It can also blind a bicyclist. Wearing sunglasses is one way to prevent this from happening.
- Disobeying traffic signals: Not every driver obeys the rules when it comes to traffic lights or stop signs. Bicyclists are often injured or killed by a driver who runs a red light at intersections. If the cause is due to poor road or signal maintenance, the government entity responsible for upkeep can be held liable along with the driver.
- Reckless cyclists: Bicyclists are obliged to obey the rules of the road just as motorists are. However, many cyclists are unaware of the rules or choose not to follow them. Accidents where a cyclist randomly moves into the path of a motorist happen every day. Learning about the rules as they pertain to cyclists is an important way to stay safe.
4 Types of Bicycle Accidents
The four most common situations that occur are:
- Dooring: This type of accident occurs when a parked motorist opens their car door in the path of the bicyclist. This type of bicycle accident is more common in urban areas on streets with high traffic. This forces the cyclist to ride close to parked vehicles. Drivers are obligated to check before opening their door to make sure that a cyclist is not approaching. Unfortunately, if a cyclist tries to avoid this and moves to the left, an accident involving an oncoming vehicle can happen.
- Rear end bicycle accidents: Motorists who are distracted or riding too close to a bicycle can end up rear-ending them. While rear-end accidents are not catastrophic for a motor vehicle driver, they can be for a cyclist. This type of accident is common at intersections.
- Sideswipes: This type of accident occurs when a motorist fails to provide enough room for the cyclist. In California, the three-foot law that requires drivers to stay a distance of three feet from a cyclist helps overcome this.
- Cross accidents: This occurs when a driver turns left or right into the cyclist’s path. In many cases, the driver professes to not have seen the cyclist.
Fair Oaks Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fair Oaks bicycle accident lawyer. If you suffered injuries or a family member was killed by a negligent motorist, you have the right to compensation. An attorney can investigate the crash and build a strong case against an offending motorist. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can contact me online also.
I’ve helped many residents of Fair Oaks recover the compensation they deserve in car and pedestrian accidents as well as wrongful deaths, among others.
I belong to the following organizations:
- Million Dollar Advocates whose members have won more than $1 million for a client.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel whose members provide clients with legal excellence.
Learn more about my practice below:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_11765047_l-2015
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