Due to the growing number of vehicles on the road, it should not be a surprise that car accidents involving bicycles are becoming more prevalent. In 2016, one bicyclist was either injured or killed every 10.2 hours in the state of Wisconsin. Due to the large size and weight of motor vehicles, bicyclists can suffer serious injuries when struck by a car or truck. Even though a cyclist has the same rights as any other vehicle, a rider may want to consider these safety tips before hitting the road:

Obey Traffic Laws

While children who are learning to ride bikes and are being supervised by adults may ride on sidewalks, most cyclists should ride on the road and obey traffic laws. Depending on the community you are in, sidewalk riding may be illegal for certain ages and areas. Before a bicyclist begins riding in the street, it is important to know the rules that should be followed. In Wisconsin, a cyclist must:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle accidents account for about 2 percent of all traffic fatalities. Even more, bicyclists are injured. Who is at fault for these accidents, and what really causes them? Learn more about the causes and fault in bicycle accidents with help from the following information. 

A Closer Look at the Anatomy of a Bicycle Accident

While bicycle accident victims may be from any area and of any age, there are some interesting commonalities among victims. For example, children are one of the most common victims; they are also the most likely to suffer a fatality. In bicycle crashes involving adults, 83 percent are male. Also, the majority of bicycle accident deaths (68 percent) occur in urban areas, and about 22 percent occur after 9 PM.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents 

When a bicycle accident happens, people often assume it is the cyclist to blame. However, statistics indicate that over half are the fault of another motorist. However, this is a misconception. In fact, at least half are caused by the driver of another vehicle. More specifically, 18 percent occurred because a driver failed to see a cyclist. Around 22 percent are caused by a driver or passenger opening their door and hitting the cyclist. 

Thanks to environmental concerns and the scaling back of unnecessary expenses among many Americans, the number of cyclists has risen dramatically over the last decade. In fact, statistics indicate that some 66 million people now use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.

Unfortunately, the roadways are still designed for passenger vehicles, and that creates challenges and potential risks for cyclists. Add in the potential for distracted, drunk, or drugged drivers and it becomes clear that cyclists need to know how to protect themselves from the risk of serious injury if a bicycle accident occurs. Learn more, including how the assistance of a seasoned, competent lawyer can increase your chances of receiving full and fair compensation after a crash.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation indicate that some 4, 500 bicyclists experience a non-fatal injury each year. Since many of these injuries were related to the head, face, or neck area, one would think that cyclists are failing at helmet use, but this assumption could not be further from the truth. Learn the truth about bicycle accidents and helmet use, including why helmets are not always effective at preventing head injuries among victims.

Man Experiences Severe TBI in Bicycle Accident

It had been an average day for a Virginia man – he had ridden his bike to work and was on his way home to cook dinner for his sons, but then everything changed. Hit by a senior woman that had run a red light while he was riding through the intersection, the man was thrown 50 feet from his bike. The helmet he was wearing at the time may have saved his life, but it did not save him from years of painstaking recovery.

Roundabouts have become popular in America. In fact, some cities have chosen to replace dangerous intersections with new roundabouts. The Department of Transportation (DOT) says they result in fewer accidents and have decreased injuries by 75 percent. The death of bicyclists and pedestrians are said to have been reduced by 10 to 40 percent. Are these figures truly accurate, or are they inflated? Further, what can victims and their families do if they are injured or killed while traveling in a roundabout? The following explains.

Safety First?

Roundabouts save cities money – and not just on the cost of maintenance for traffic signals, but also in noise and traffic pollution. They can also provide stimulation to a downturned economy by providing a marker for businesses. Traffic also continues to move, even during power outages. Unfortunately, they may not save cities on their collision-related costs.