Now more than ever people are using bicycles as a common mode of transportation. With urban life creating the convenience of being able to live close to where one works, get groceries, and meet friends, cycling is becoming a more reasonable way to get where they are going. However, with increasing numbers of cyclists on the roads, there are also more crashes happening involving them. In these cases, Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys can help provide legal support and direction.

Understanding Sacramento Bike Riding Laws

Just as it is important for anyone with a driver’s license to understand the laws that govern the roads, it is also important for cyclists to understand the laws that apply to them and protect them. Cyclists are at a higher risk of injury when riding on the road than someone in a vehicle would be. A collision between a bicycle and a car has the potential to leave the cyclist harmed in a far more damaging and permanent way than the driver of the car.

Whether an individual is driving a car, riding a bike, skateboarding, walking, or running, if they are doing so on the road, it is their responsibility to do what they can to ensure their safety and that of those around them.

For those riding bicycles, this includes taking precautions, such as wearing bright clothing, wearing protective gear such as a helmet, padding, and gloves, using appropriate signals to make others aware of their movements, and even using reflectors on their clothing and bicycles.

Just because something is legal in California, such as not wearing a helmet when you are over the age of eighteen, doesn’t mean that doing so would be the safest option.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

The most common type of accident involving bicycles is accidents with moving vehicles. These collisions sometimes contribute to fatalities or serious injuries of the cyclists. It is sometimes difficult for someone in a car traveling at a fast speed, to notice someone on a bicycle. Other conditions, such as the weather and time of day, can contribute to such accidents.

The location of where a cyclist is riding often contributes greatly to the probability of an accident happening. If someone is riding in a city where many construction projects are going on, they may be more likely to run into debris or equipment on the road. If a cyclist is riding in a rural area, there may be a possibility for wildlife to run in their path and cause them to fall.

Failure to maintain a properly working bicycle can affect the possibility of crashes as well. Tires with low air, rusty chains, brake mishaps, and other technical-related issues can cause big problems.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents

There are some common mistakes that both cyclists and drivers make when they meet on the road. Some of these include:

• Right cross collisions or right hooks: These types of accidents occur when a car is behind a bicycle on the road and needs to make a right turn. Sometimes, the car passes the cyclist and then turns right, cutting off the cyclist and causing them to crash. Other times, the cyclist may pass a slow car and cause the car to run into them.
• Left cross collisions: These types of accidents typically happen at an intersection in which the cyclist is going straight, and a car is attempting to turn left. Sometimes, the car simply does not see the cyclist, or perhaps they thought they had more time to turn before the cyclist got to the intersection than they really did.
• Door accidents: These types of accidents happen when someone in a parked car opens their door without realizing that a cyclist is approaching. The cyclist, not having time to stop, collides with the car door.

FAQs

Q: How Many Accidents Are Caused by Bicycles?

A: On average, the state of California experiences around 9,000 accidents per year that are directly related to or caused by bicycles. These happen for a variety of reasons, including negligence on behalf of the driver or biker, failing to wear proper bright clothing, cars and bicycles driving or riding in the wrong lane, and failure to wear safety gear, such as a helmet.

Q: Where Are Bike Crashes Most Common?

A: Bike crashes are most common in urban areas where there is a lot of traffic and distractions to both bikers and drivers. While biking accidents do happen in rural areas, most occur within a city. This could be because more people in a city use a bicycle as a mode of transportation whereas those who live in rural areas tend to use their car more often.

Q: What Is the Number One Cause of Bike Crashes?

A: The number one cause of bike crashes is collisions with moving vehicles on the road. These types of crashes can result in serious injuries because of how fast cars are usually going. What causes a moving car to collide with a bicycle varies from anything from lack of attention to low visibility to absence of proper clothing and safety gear.

Q: What Is the Percentage of Bike Riders Who Crash?

A: Cyclists do not always report collisions, especially if the severity of the crash is low. However, crash fatalities are documented with precision. The percentage of fatalities due to bicycle crashes has been rising since 2010, with large increases in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Many factors influence a cyclist’s chance of crashing, including the environment in which they ride and the steps they take to protect themselves while riding.

While you want to take every step possible in order to avoid having a cycling accident, accidents do happen. When they do, having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make all the difference. At Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, we specifically use our skills and resources to help those who have been injured. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help and support you after your accident.