Houston and the surrounding areas are becoming more bicycle-friendly as increased numbers of people use bicycles for recreation, running errands, or everyday commuting. While many ride for the health benefits, bicyclists account for a disproportionate share of injuries and deaths when involved in an accident with a vehicle. This is unsurprising given the vulnerability of bicyclists when involved in a collision with a much larger and heavier vehicle. It is important for vehicle drivers and bicyclists to know the leading causes of accidents so that they can both work to avoid dangerous situations. It is also important to seek out an experienced attorney if you have been injured in a bicycle accident in order to pursue compensation for medical bills, time missed from work, and pain and suffering.
Statistics and Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Every year in the United States, almost 1,000 bicyclists are killed and over 130,000 are injured in accidents on our roads. The total annual costs from these injuries and deaths are estimated at over $23 billion from health care costs, lost work productivity, lost quality of life, and the lives that are lost. Here are the leading causes of bicycle-vehicle accidents:
Speeding – The top cause of accidents involving a vehicle and a bicycle is speed. Drivers are less able to stop or take action to avoid a bicyclist if they are traveling too fast. Speed-related accidents can also contribute to more severe injuries and a higher likelihood of wrongful death. Perhaps surprisingly, 63% of fatal bicycle accidents happen away from intersections, mostly on more open stretches of road.
Distracted Driving – If the driver of a car, truck, or other vehicle isn’t paying attention to the road, it makes them more likely to miss seeing an approaching bicyclist.
Driving Too Close – If a vehicle is too close to a bicycle while passing, it is more likely to lead to an accident if either has to deviate from their route. While many states have adopted a law mandating that vehicles maintain a 3-foot distance from a bicycle while passing a bicycle, Texas has not formalized a specific distance yet.
Careless Lane Changes – A dangerous sideswipe accident can occur when a vehicle quickly decides to change lanes without checking for a bicyclist first.
Contact a Harris County Injured Bicycle Rider Attorney
If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident that caused injuries, call a Houston bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyer at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec. We have experience in these types of accidents and will fight for you to receive the compensation that you deserve. Call us at 281-643-2000 to schedule your free consultation today.
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html
https://www.bikehouston.org/about
https://biketoworkday.us/most-common-causes-of-bike-crashes/
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