Bicycle Accident
Traveling by bicycle is great exercise and is a wonderful way to enjoy natural beauty. However, those who ride bicycles are vulnerable because they do not have the safety features or outer protection of an automobile. A bicycle has no seat belts, airbags or windshield to protect the rider from the road, and if there is a collision with a vehicle, the person riding the bicycle is likely to have more severe injuries than the driver of the car. If you've been hurt in a bicycle accident, consulting with an attorney is the smart thing to do. This attorney can help you to get the compensation you need for your injuries.
Bias Against Bicyclists
It is unfortunate but true that many drivers of motor vehicles as well as law enforcement personnel harbor a bias against those who ride bicycles. Drivers of automobiles may feel that bicyclists have no right to be on the same road with them and that they clog up traffic and make navigating the road more difficult. However, the same traffic rules that apply to drivers of cars also apply to those who ride bicycles, along with the same rights. If you're in an accident as a bicyclist, it is important to make sure that the police report reflects the facts surrounding the accident objectively.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
One of the most common causes of bike accidents is the failure of the driver of the motor vehicle to yield the right of way to the bicyclist. A bicyclist may collide with a vehicle if the vehicle suddenly pulls out of a driveway or parking spot on the right side of the cyclist as he approaches. A driver may also open a car door suddenly just as a bicyclist is passing by, causing the cyclist to collide with the car door. A driver who makes a left turn in front of a bicyclist can also cause an accident if he does not yield the right of way to the cyclist. Drivers of motor vehicles must be watchful for those on bicycles at all times.