In the blink of an eye the driver of an automobile can cause serious injury or death to a bicyclist. For instance, each year California alone has over 130 bicycle deaths and 11,000 injuries to bicyclists. While many states are working hard to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths the dismal statistics will only be lessened through the implementation of stricter bicycle safety laws and increasing awareness among drivers of vehicles.
Although bicyclists fall under the same laws and protections as motor vehicle drivers, the fact remains that it is not safe in many situations to bike alongside a big truck or car. Quite often drivers of passenger vehicles are either unaware of a bicyclist or simply don’t treat them like they would treat other vehicles on the road. Large trucks may not ever see a bicyclist until they have collided with them due to the size of the truck and the blind spots which can occur directly behind or on the side.
Primary Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, driver negligence has been documented as the primary cause of injuries and death to bicyclists. Auto drivers may pull out of a driveway or parking lot directly in front of a bicyclist, causing a serious accident. Many times drivers also fail to yield to a bicyclist, or turn into the bicycle rider. Automobile drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be the cause of a bicycle accident. Further causes of bicycle accidents can be bad weather, inattentive drivers, overly aggressive drivers or drowsy drivers.
Bicycle Safety Codes
Most states operate under certain bicycle codes such as how a bicycle should be equipped during daylight hours as well as what lights and reflectors must be present when a bicyclist rides after dark. The laws spell out the fact that a biker must ride in the bike lane when one is present, as well as when it is legal to leave the bike lane. However, bicycle safety codes can only go so far in preventing accidents and fatalities—motor vehicle drivers must take seriously the fact that they don’t own the road and are bound under law to share it with bicyclists.
Driver Negligence
Many times a bicyclist may be waiting at an intersection and an impatient driver will turn in front of the bicycle. A right hand turn can knock the bicyclist over while a left hand turn can cause the bicyclist to collide with the vehicle. Other times a passing driver will fail to give a bicyclist enough space, either forcing him off the road or sideswiping him with the car’s mirror. Many auto drivers fail to recognize that bicyclists have the same rights and right of way as other drivers and may even use the biking lane as a shortcut. Drivers are also guilty of opening their car doors without looking, knocking a bicyclist over and of believing bicycle brakes are as effective as car brakes. Auto drivers should never assume a bicyclist can stop as suddenly as the car is able to.
Getting Help
If you are a serious cyclist, you run the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash as some point. Even if you are extremely safety-conscious, obeying all traffic laws, being fully aware of your surroundings and taking all safety precautions, an unsafe auto driver can still cause you to be seriously injured. If you were injured in a biking accident due to a driver’s negligence, it’s important that you get legal representation as soon as possible following your accident in order to obtain the most favorable outcome. Make sure your bicycle is kept safely until it has been examined to help provide evidence regarding your accident. There is a statute of limitations on personal injury claims such as this, so don’t be left holding a bag full of medical bills, unable to work and support your family.
Call and speak with an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer from Barrett Law, PLLC. Be sure to visit our web blog for more helpful information about your case or call us for a free consultation to answer your important questions.
The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC serve people throughout Mississippi including: North Mississippi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.