The Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

When it comes to bicycle accidents, there are many different actions or incidents that can cause them. Most of these involve a lack of awareness or understanding on the part of either the bicyclist or other drivers. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents and how they can be avoided.

Lack of Visibility

Bicyclists can often be difficult to see in traffic due to their small size and low profile. This means that drivers may not be able to spot them in time to avoid a collision.

To increase your visibility, make sure you wear bright clothing and use appropriate bike lights and reflectors when riding in low-light conditions. You should also be aware of your surroundings at all times, as this will help you anticipate potential hazards and take the necessary measures to avoid them.

Failure to Follow Traffic Laws

Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as all other vehicles on the road. This includes coming to a complete stop at stop signs, using hand signals when turning, staying in designated bike lanes whenever possible, and yielding the right-of-way when required. Failing to do so puts bicyclists at greater risk for an accident. It is important for bicyclists to understand their rights and responsibilities while riding on public roads.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents—and it’s no different when it comes to bicycle accidents. Drivers who are distracted by their phones or other external stimuli are more likely to miss seeing cyclists in their blind spots or fail to notice them in time before making a turn or merging into traffic.

To prevent this from happening, motorists should always keep their eyes on the road while driving and refrain from using their phones while behind the wheel. Cyclists can also distance themselves from vehicles if they notice the driver seems distracted or the vehicle engaging in reckless practices.

Dooring

Dooring is another major cause of bicycle accidents that occurs when a motorist opens their door without checking for any incoming traffic first. This often happens in cities where motorists park next to bike lanes or in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

As cyclists pass by parked cars, they can get doored if someone inside suddenly opens their door without looking first. An unsuspecting cyclist may not have enough time to react in time and can end up colliding with an open car door which could result in broken bones or other serious injuries for bicyclists involved in such accidents. To avoid a dooring accident, consider riding slowly past parked cars.

Inadequate Infrastructure

Aside from other motorists on the road, inadequate infrastructure can also increase the risk of bicycle accidents as well as serious injuries that occur from such accidents due to poor design features like inadequate lighting, blind corners and curves, narrow roads without shoulders or bike lanes, steep grades and hills, lack of signage warning motorists about upcoming turns or curves, inadequate drainage systems leading to slippery surfaces during wet weather conditions etc.. It is important for both bicyclists and motorist alike to be aware of these potential hazards while navigating through certain areas so that they can stay safe while traveling on busy roads and highways.

Consult with Our Attorneys

At Zayas Law Firm, our attorneys have seen first-hand just how devastating these types of accidents can be for both cyclists and motorists alike. That’s why it is so important for everyone—cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike—to understand what causes these types of accidents so that everyone can do their part in avoiding them altogether. By following traffic laws, increasing visibility when needed, and remaining alert while driving, we can all do our part in reducing bicycle accident rates across our communities.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, our firm is here to help. You can schedule an initial consultation with our attorneys, and we can advise you on what your legal rights and options are.

Learn more about how we can help you by calling (860) 854-9156 today!