When the Covid 19 pandemic started in March of 2020 society as we know it went through a fundamental change. Due to lockdowns and social distancing the ebb and flow of everyday life was completely taken away. Daily activities that we once thought monotonous, like grocery shopping and socializing with others, turned out to be at the core of our lives. These societal changes took a toll on the majority of Americans, and when lockdowns were lifted millions took action to not take our everyday lives for granted. With a new found desire to experience more of life American’s started to adventure more, and one way to savor their freedom was to ride a bike.
Cycling has been around for centuries, dating back to the creation of the bicycle in 1818. These vehicles have always played a role in our society, typically as a means of transportation for children and teenagers, but they have begun to step into the limelight recently. In 2019 48.9 million Americans actively used their bikes, now as of 2022 nearly 55 million people are taking to the roads on their bicycles.
While this rekindled love of cycling is fantastic, the rise in popularity has also led to a dramatic increase in bike related accidents. Here at LifeLaw Personal Injury we love riding our bikes and we understand the importance of safety while on a bicycle. Our Salt Lake City bike accident lawyers believe that it is critical to understand how these recent statistics and trends can affect you, as well as what you can do to keep yourself safe.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
National Data
According to the US Department of Transportation (US DOT), in 2022 there were 1,105 fatalities caused by bike accidents. This is nearly doubling the amount of deaths since 2010 where there was a record low of 621 deaths in the U.S due to bike accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 49,000 cyclists were injured in traffic accidents in 2023 as well.
Urban Vs. Rural Areas
Urban areas are the most prominent places for a bike accident to occur, with 70% of bicyclist fatalities happening in our nation’s cities. This is typically caused by the dense traffic in these areas making your interactions with motor vehicles much more frequent.
Time of Day
Accidents are much more likely to occur from the hours of 6pm to 9pm. This period of time usually has reduced visibility due to the loss of daylight as well as an increased amount of traffic, these combine for a perfect storm of getting into a bike accident. Nighttime riding also poses additional risks for accidents as the lack of visibility leads to a high risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
What Do These Statistics Mean For You?
As we can see from the statistics above, it is safe to say that cycling has become more dangerous than before. This rise in danger is partly due to more cyclists on the road, but it is also due to an increase in distracted driving caused by cell phones. Before you set off on your next ride try to consider the statistics above, perhaps try to plan your trip before 6-9 pm as that is when you are most likely to get into a bike accident. Or if you are planning on riding your bike through a city, remind yourself of the potential dangers of your surroundings and try to ride as safely as possible. While these statistics can help you in a general sense, what can you as an individual do to keep yourself safe?
Safety Tips for Cyclists
Wear a Helmet
The number one way that you can keep yourself safe while riding a bike is by wearing a helmet. A helmet is the key to preventing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well as any severe head trauma. Helmets can reduce your risk of sustaining a TBI by 60%, a standard head injury by 58%, and can decrease your chances of getting into a fatal accident by a whopping 73%. It is safe to say that you should always put a helmet on before you set off on your next ride.
Follow Traffic Laws
When you are riding a bicycle it can often feel like you are a pedestrian. Even though you are a fraction of the size and weight of the other motor vehicles on the road, that does not give you the right to ignore traffic laws. In fact, here in Utah, the driving code states that a bicycle is considered a motor vehicle, meaning that you must follow all the same traffic laws and codes as any other motor vehicle.
These laws are meant to keep you safe which makes following them pivotal to avoiding any potential accidents. Our Salt Lake City bike accident lawyers urge you to obey all traffic signs, utilize bike lanes when they are available, use bicycle hand turn signals, and follow all lane markings. Your participation in these laws will help you to stay safe on the road.
Be Visible
Being seen on your bicycle is one of the keys to staying safe while riding. As a bike, you are typically the smallest vehicle on the road, which can make you practically invisible to drivers. This is why you need to take steps to ensure that you are seen by everyone.
While you are on your bicycle consider the clothing that you are wearing, is it dark and or hard to see? If you are riding at night, having dark clothing can make it nearly impossible to be seen. Try your best to wear bright or reflective clothing when you are on a ride, and try to keep your bike equipped with both front and rear lights and reflectors. Taking these steps can help you be more noticeable to everyone on the road, in turn, keeping you out of harm’s way.
Stay Alert
Being distracted while you are on a bike can be a death wish. A bicycle offers essentially zero protection to the rider if you are involved in an accident, making it essential to stay alert at all time. Small hazards such as potholes, debris, or parked cars can be extremely hazardous if you are not paying attention. In order to keep yourself focused on the road try to avoid any outside distractions like listening to music or using your phone.
Ride Defensively
When you are on your bike it is best to ride defensively. What does this mean? To put it simply, it is to assume that any and all drivers can not see you and that you are prepared and able to make an evasive maneuver in an instant. In order to ride defensively, try to make eye contact with drivers when entering an intersection, this ensures that a driver has noticed you and will hopefully be mindful of you on your journey.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Bike Accident
Even if you have taken every precaution possible, an accident can still happen. The best thing you can do in the case of an accident is to be prepared, as being caught off guard and not knowing what to do next can be detrimental to your case. Our Salt Lake City bike accident lawyers suggest taking the following steps in the aftermath of a bicycle accident.
Seek Medical Attention
After an accident you may be disoriented and not sure what to do next. Your first course of action should always prioritize your health and safety. It is vital that you seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you do not feel injured.
In an accident your body releases adrenaline and endorphins into your bloodstream that are meant to mask the pain you may feel from your injuries so that you can act, however this can lead you to believe that you may not actually be injured. It is always important to get a full medical evaluation after you have been in an accident as this ensures that no injuries will go under the radar, and that there is a medical record of your injuries. Seeking medical treatment promptly after your accident is one of the best things you can do for your case as your treatment plan and road to recovery will be established and you will be able to work on yourself right away.
Report the Accident
Reporting your accident can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially if your accident was terrible, but here in Utah reporting your accident is required by law. After your crash has occurred be sure to call the police to the scene of the accident. The police will create a police report of the accident, containing an unbiased and objective description of what happened in the accident, as well as the contact information from all parties involved and their insurance information. This document is critical to your case as it is what most insurance companies will use as their basis for determining who is responsible for the accident.
Collect Evidence and Information
Evidence is another aspect of your personal injury case, and the majority of your evidence can be gathered at the scene of the accident. If your injuries are not too severe try your best to gather photos and videos of the accident. Make sure your photos include: your bike, the other vehicle involved, any visible injuries you sustained, the conditions of the road or path where the accident occurred, and any weather conditions that may have affected your accident. If you are unable to gather these due to your injuries, have a family member or friend document the scene.
Witness statements can also add evidence to your case. If there were people who witnessed the accident, gather their contact information and their statements of what happened at the accident. Having anyone who can help corroborate your story can help clear up any issues in determining who is responsible for an accident.
Preserving Evidence
You may want to throw out your bike or have it repaired after the accident, but do not do that! Your damaged bike as well as any other damaged gear can be used as evidence to show the severity of your accident. Do not throw out or repair any items involved in your accident until the insurance company has thoroughly inspected it.
Consult With a Salt Lake City Bike Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies try their hardest to make your case difficult to handle on your own. These companies utilize stalling tactics and a general lack of knowledge to their advantage to try and give you the lowest settlement possible for your case. This is where an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. Your Salt Lake City bike accident lawyer will work tirelessly to help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and help you get the compensation that you deserve for all of your injuries.
With cycling at the most popular it has been in decades, understanding it is key to understand what you can do to stay safe. By staying informed on statistics and remaining vigilant while you ride your bike you will be able to greatly reduce your chances of getting into a bike accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, make sure to seek out the best help you can receive with LifeLaw Personal Injury. Here at LifeLaw we love bikes, in fact one of our attorneys David Francis was a part of the U.S Men’s Cycling team with teammates Lance Armstrong and Jonathan Vaughters among others. This specialized knowledge of cycling allows us to navigate your bike accident case with the care and attention that it deserves. Contact us today to get the compensation you deserve, and to discuss your options further