The sad truth is that we live in a world in which bike accidents are all too common. In 2015 alone, more than 1,000 people across the country died while riding their bike. 818 of those were people who died by being hit by a car. This is a 12% increase from the previous year. In California alone, 120 people died in fatal bike accidents. That makes us the second highest in the entire country, with only Florida having more fatal bike accidents.
At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we know we can do better as a nation. Today we are going to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about bike accidents. If you have been injured in a bike accident, or have lost a loved one in a bike accident, then we urge you to contact us at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
What is the cause of so many of these bike accidents?
One of the reasons that the incidents of bike accidents is on the rise is because more people are riding their bikes, which means there are more bikes on the road. That said, this doesn’t explain the entirety of the problem. Other issues include the fact that many drivers do not understand their responsibility to share the ride with bike riders, and many cities do not have bike lanes with clearly-marked lines.
When are bike accidents most likely to happen and to whom?
One exhaustive study of the available statistics found that most fatal bike accidents happen in urban areas and between the hours of 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM on weekdays and between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM on weekends. The average age of a bike accident victim Is 45. The people injured and killed are predominantly male: 80% of those injured and 85% of those killed are male. Most women injured or killed in bike accidents are between 20 and 24 years of age.
What are the biggest risk factors leading to bike accidents with cars?
Alcohol is a common factor in many of these accidents. In fact, it was found to be a contributing factor in 37% of fatal bike accidents. In some cases the driver had been drinking and sometimes it was the bicyclist. Studies also show that reckless driving is often a contributing factor. This would include things like driving while texting or speeding.
What do I do if I am injured in a bike accident or if a loved one is killed in a bike accident?
Whether you are the victim or you have lost a family member, you deserve to know what your legal options are. The good news is that by working with The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, you are working with experienced, compassionate, and competent attorneys who are ready to fight for you. To find out more about how you can move forward from your accident, contact us at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
