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Bicycles are a synonym for convenience. They are economical and give your legs a great workout. The small size means you can easily carry them wherever you go. Also, they are a great investment as they need very little maintenance. But a single con nullifies all these pros. Bicycle accident injuries are rarely minor.
2021 was a bad year for bicyclists. An IIHS report states that there were 961 fatalities in bicycle accidents in 2021. What’s worse is that this is the highest number of fatalities since 1980.
There is an imminent need for awareness when it comes to safety and best driving practices. This is because other drivers are equally responsible for bicycle accidents. A good chunk of victims don’t know what to do after a bicycle accident. Awareness of bicycle accidents solves this issue.
There are numerous ways one can get injured on a bicycle. This article lists four of the most common ones.
Intersection Accidents
Intersections are dangerous, no matter what vehicle you drive. There’s a lot of decision-making involved in crossing an intersection. Smaller vehicles like motorcycles and bicycles need extra care in such circumstances.
One instance of an intersection accident is when a cyclist runs a stop sign and lands in front of a car that has the right of way. In this case, the bicyclist is the at-fault party.
The inverse of the above-mentioned scenario can happen as well, i.e., a car running a stop sign and crashing into a cyclist at an intersection. The car driver is the at-fault party in this accident. The cyclist may share liability if they were moving against the traffic.
Accidents Due to Road Hazards
Not all car accidents are caused by other drivers. Bicyclists run the risk of injury if they ride on roads with potholes or cracks. Rail or trolley tracks also pose a danger to bicyclists. The rail or trolley tracks, positioned facing the direction of the traffic or crossing the road at an angle, hold the bicycle wheels when they attempt to cross it.
Sewer grates are another problem for cyclists. Bicyclists tend to get their wheels stuck in sewer grate bars that face the same direction as the flow of traffic.
Right-Turn Accidents
Car drivers making a right turn while distracted is a cause for concern, especially for bicyclists. One scenario of a right-turn accident is when a car driver suddenly cuts off a cyclist at an intersection.
Another instance is when a bicycle passes a slow car and the car suddenly turns right, hitting the bicycle.
The third example of a right-turn accident happens at a red light. A distracted driver may turn right without noticing the bicyclist standing next to them.
In all three instances, the car driver is the at-fault party.
Left-Turn Accidents
Although this type of accident is pretty common at intersections, there are chances that it may happen on ordinary streets as well. In left-turn accidents, a car crashes into a bicyclist who’s coming from the opposite direction. The car not noticing the bicyclist or underestimating the bicyclist’s speed are two reasons why left-turn accidents happen.
Bicycle accidents have the ability to cause serious injuries. It may even cause death in severe cases. It is the responsibility of bicyclists to wear protective gear when they head out and strictly adhere to road rules. In the event that you are injured in a bicycle accident, you must consult an experienced bicycle attorney. They will help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
