Drivers must always be aware of many different things while they are driving along the road so that they do not have an accident. There are many different types of automobile accidents, from accidents involving other passenger vehicles, to accidents involving motorcycles, animals, stationary objects, pedestrians, and people on bicycles. All of these people and things can be found on or near any roadway at any time, so driving safely requires maintaining a constant awareness of one’s surroundings. Unfortunately, a split second of inattention is all it takes for an accident to occur.
When an automobile collides with a bicycle, the bicyclist is often killed or seriously injured. The reason for this is obvious – people on bicycles are not surrounded by anything that can protect them from the direct force of the impact, and a bicycle helmet, if the person is wearing one, only protects the head. Fortunately, many motor vehicle collisions with bicycle riders can be prevented, if drivers and riders each work to decrease the risk of accident.
Overall, the risk of accident can be dramatically reduced by avoiding distractions like cell phone use while driving. Abiding by the posted speed limits is another way to greatly reduce the risk of an automobile-bicycle collision. State and local laws regarding how to drive when sharing the road with bicycles vary from place to place, but each set of rules is designed to promote safe road sharing. Both drivers and people who ride bicycles on roads can reduce the likelihood of an accident just by knowing what to do in specific situations, which includes using proper turn signals and being visible at night. Accordingly, people who ride bicycles on or near roads can protect themselves by wearing brightly colored clothing and using lights for riding at dawn or dusk, or after dark, so that drivers can see them easily. As an additional safety measure, rear view mirrors can be mounted on a bike or on a pair of glasses to enable bicycle riders to see vehicles and other bicycles as they approach from the rear. While a bicycle helmet will not prevent a collision, it is essential that people who ride bicycles on or near roadways wear a properly-fitting helmet at all times to protect their heads in the event of a fall or a collision.
Barrett Law PLLC: Superior Legal Representation for Mississippi Car Accident Victims
Accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles often result in serious injury or death. If you have been injured, or if you have lost a loved one in a Mississippi automobile accident, the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. You deserve the very best in legal representation, and we are dedicated to pursuing the results that our clients deserve. Call the knowledgeable Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.