There are a number of common causes of bike accidents. A recent study demonstrates the following behavior most often leads to a bicyclist’s death: exiting a driveway in front of an on-coming vehicle; turning left in front of a passing vehicle; traveling on the wrong side of the road; and turning right in front of a vehicle; losing control and swerving into the path of a car or truck; and turning left while unaware of approaching traffic.
Sadly, most of these fatal bike accidents can be prevented. It is important for both the bicyclist and driver to recognize the mutual obligations each possess. Like motorists, bike riders have certain obligations when traveling on streets and roadways. Unfortunately, it seems many riders fail to consider their obligations as well as their surroundings. The result is needless dangers.
Fortunately, both voluntary use and laws requiring protective headwear have dramatically increased over the past years. While any crash involving a car, truck or suv may cause serious injury or death, the use of helmets can minimize head trauma and save lives. This is especially true in low speed and glancing collisions. By providing head protection, the incidence of brain injury can be diminished. Certainly, this is a simple measure to provide an extra degree of safety for both adults and children.
As Orlando injury lawyers, we have found that lack of road maintenance too often contributes to unnecessary harm. Potholes, broken road surfaces and uneven sewer grates can cause terrible mishaps. These road defects too often turn a fun ride into a disaster.
One legal battle against a municipality resulted in a significant award for a bike rider after finding that a pothole created a trap that the city should have addressed. Another legal claim involved a woman who was paralyzed after her wheel got caught in a sewer grate. Neither occurred on a designated bike path, which highlights the danger that bicyclists face riding on streets and roads.
Examples of Orlando road dangers include large cracks in the pavement like those around Colonial Drive and Orange Avenue. There are sewer covers which lying below the grade of the road surface as well. Yet, little appears to be done to correct these situations. Obviously, municipal, county and state budget concerns cause politicians to dismiss potential dangers when there is not a great out cry of support for a maintenance project. Sadly, we continue to find dangers on our roads, especially at night, which could easily cause an individual to be thrown.
When an individual chooses to ride for environmental reasons or health or recreation, there should be safe paths along our roads and streets. We are in need of safer paths with adequate buffer zones to eliminate or reduce dangers. Certainly, this would include protection around construction zones and other areas where vehicular traffic presents hazards.
To obtain more information, please feel free to contact us. If you or someone you know has been involved in a bike accident and has questions, we would like to help. Holding people accountable for their wrongdoing can make a difference. There is no excuse for endangering the life of a child or adult rider.
