Bicycle Accident Archives - Ernst Law Group

Top Causes of Bike Accidents

Posted by Taylor Ernst on
May 22, 2018

It’s always better to start with good news. On that note: There are fewer accidents involving cyclists than there ever have been. Now for the bad news: The crashes that do occur involve many that could have been avoided either on the part of the cyclist or the driver.

Whether you or riding a bicycle or driving a car, knowing why these accidents are most likely to occur can help you avoid them. Here are the top five causes of bicycle accidents in San Luis Obispo and across the country.

1. Being Hit By the Front of a Car

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were more than 3,000 cyclists killed in crashes during a four-year period beginning in 2008. These accidents involved a cyclist being struck by the front end of a motor vehicle, and 74 percent of those collisions proved to be fatal. Of the accidents that weren’t fatal, vehicle drivers were responsible for 29 percent of accidents that injured cyclists.

What should be noted is that cyclists are at a great risk when it comes to sharing the road with cars. If you are driving a vehicle, be sure to keep your eyes open for cyclists, especially during warm, dry weather.

2. Being Hit in the Rear

The old rule of thumb was to ride your bike against traffic so that you could see what was coming your way. The rule of the road, however, is that your bike is a vehicle and must be treated as such. You have to ride your bicycle with traffic. Doing so does come with hazards, however. Of all the bike accidents in this study, 40 percent were caused by a vehicle rear-ending a bicycle.

3. Hit While Crossing

Cyclists are often hit by cars when they cross the street. In many cases, the accident occurs because the driver of the vehicle fails to see the cyclist. This can be due to distracted driving or other causes. Another reason for these collisions is a cyclist who doesn’t use hand signals and crosses in front of a car without warning.

4. Invisibility

Cyclists don’t have the power of invisibility, but they seem to. Most drivers are looking out for other cars and not people on bicycles. This makes them sort of invisible to drivers. The best thing a cyclist can do is to make themselves more noticeable.

Light, bright colors are better than wearing dark colors. A bike should be equipped with both lights and reflectors. As a cyclist, be sure to use hand signals so that drivers know where you intend to go. All of these things will make you stick out — that’s a good thing.

Bicycle accidents are almost always more serious for the cyclist than they are for the driver of the car. If you have found yourself in a bike accident in San Luis Obispo, you have legal rights to be aware of. Call our team today to schedule a free case evaluation and discover more about your options.

Posted by Taylor Ernst on
January 10, 2018

Commuting by bicycle is becoming more popular across the nation. While some people know exactly how to operate a bicycle safely, others don’t. Commuting means more than jumping on your bike and pedaling. It means that you’ve got to be hyper aware of the vehicles around you and practice prudent safety. If you are new to commuting or simply need a refresher, we’ve compiled a list of safety tips that should help you get where you are going in the same state you were in when you jumped on your bicycle.

1. Know the Danger Zone

Do you know what your biggest danger is while riding a bike? Car doors. It may be a bit surprising, but more cyclists are injured by running into suddenly opened car doors than anything else. When you are riding past vehicles, leave space enough between you and the line of cars so you won’t be struck if someone opens their door unexpectedly.

2. Turning Cars

Another common cause of injury is the turning vehicle. It’s not unusual for a vehicle to overtake a bicycle that is moving slower and then attempt to make a turn in front of the cyclist. Always look over your shoulders as you come to intersections, exit ramps, driveways and alleys.

3. Passing Pedestrians

If you have a need to pass a pedestrian, pass behind them. In other words, don’t cut them off. Use your words and let a pedestrian know that you are passing on the right or passing on the left. This will prevent any type of surprise on the part of the pedestrian’s part that has them jumping out of the way — directly into the path of your bike.

4. Exaggerate

When you are on your bike, don’t make little gestures. Now is not the time to be shy. Be big and be bold. If you plan on turning, use every part of your body to indicate that. Look over your shoulder, stand up on your pedals, turn with your body and use a hand signal. Do not keep your hands and arms close to your body while you are making signals. They could easily be missed.

5. Ride the Lane

You may think that you are safer riding on the curb, but you are often more safe riding in the lane if you are on a city street. It is your right to do so, and you might as well take it. Staying to the side of a quiet road is fine. When you are on a busy street, riding in with the cars is often safer for a bike rider.
You don’t want to be in an accident while you are commuting by bike. Use the safety tips above to stay as safe as you can. If your efforts fail you and you are involved in a bicycle accident in San Luis Obispo, reach out to our office. We can help you determine fault and, if applicable, help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Category Archives: Bicycle Accident