Utah offers breathtaking landscapes that offer world renowned facilities for outdoor activities, making it a premier destination for hikers, skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers. From the red rock trails of Moab to the beautiful treelined alpine routes in Park City, mountain bike riders come from all around the world to experience the world class trails that Utah has to offer. With nearly 9 million people mountain biking since 2022, mountain biking has become extremely popular; however, with this popularity comes an increase in accidents and injuries.
If you or someone you know is planning on hitting these beautiful trails, it is important to understand what you can do to keep yourself safe at all times. Which is why in this article our Utah bike accident lawyers will be delving into the most common causes of mountain biking accidents. Understanding how these injuries can be caused and what you can do to avoid them, can be crucial for your safety.
Common Causes of Mountain Biking Accidents
A mountain biking accident can happen for a variety of reasons. These reasons can range quite a bit and while some accidents may be caused by rider error, many are the result of a variety of other causes.
Here are the most common causes of a mountain biking accident:
Hazardous Trail Conditions
One of the most common causes of trail conditions is improper trail maintenance. Improper maintenance can be a variety of different things, from loose rocks, erosion, unmarked hazards, or overgrown vegetation. All of these are hazards and can lead to a rider’s loss of control and serious falls. Public and private landowners can be held responsible if they fail to keep their trails safe and maintained, especially on well used or advertised routes.
How to Avoid Injury on a Hazardous Trail:
If you are riding on a new trail, make an assumption that this trail may have hazards on it. Plan on taking your first ride slower than you may normally go and scan the trail consistently to help yourself avoid any loose rocks or other hazards.
Defective or Poorly Maintained Equipment
Mechanical failures are another common cause of mountain biking accidents. A faulty brake, a snapped chain, or a tire blowout can cause all sorts of catastrophic crashes or injuries. If the failure is due to a manufacturing defect, or improper maintenance from a rental company or bike shop, then those parties may be held liable for your accident.
How to Avoid Injury from Defective or Poorly Maintained Equipment:
Before you set out on a mountain bike ride, get into the habit of inspecting your bike. Check the chain to make sure that there aren’t any cracks and that it is not loose, test the brakes to make sure they are working properly, and check your tires to ensure that they are inflated. If you are renting a bike and notice any problems, take it back into the shop and request that they fix the issue, or that they switch out your bike before you ride.
Negligent Tour Guides or Instructors
Guided mountain biking tours are popular in Utah, especially in places like Moab. However, if a guide has failed to properly assess a riders skill level, has not given proper instruction on how to approach the trail, or ensured that all of the equipment being used is safe, it can result in serious injuries. In these cases, the tour company or the guide may be held responsible for your injuries.
How to Avoid Injuries from Negligent Tour Guides or Instructors
Do a mental assessment of your abilities as a mountain bike rider, do you feel confident that you will be able to handle the ride ahead of you? If you do not feel that way, consider staying behind or possibly picking a different or easier trail. You can also help to avoid injury by doing an inspection of your equipment before you head out to make sure it fits appropriately and is working correctly.
Collisions With Other Riders or Trail Users
Sometimes a mountain bike trail may be a shared path, and not designated to solely bikers. This may mean you have to share the road with hikers or other off-road vehicles. When other users act recklessly such as making sudden stops, turning into a biker’s path, or ignoring trail etiquette then an accident may occur. In these cases liability may be unclear especially on a busy or narrow trail.
How To Avoid Collisions with Other Riders or Trail Users
The easiest way to avoid a crash with another rider or trail user is to be mindful of your surroundings at all times. Try your best to stay alert to any signs that another rider may be coming up the trail and keep to one side of the road to minimize your chances of hitting someone.
You can also maximize your safety by using callouts when passing other riders (saying things like “behind” or “on your left”), these call outs can help others understand where you are in relation to them and keep you safe from an unaware rider or hiker.
Environmental Factors
On a mountain biking trail sudden weather changes, poor visibility, or unexpected wildlife can all potentially cause an accident. These natural hazards are typically not cause for legal action if they caused an accident, but if a guide or an organization failed to properly warn you or other riders of potential environmental hazards then they may be liable for any damages.
How to Avoid Injuries From Environmental Factors
A simple way to avoid any injuries from environmental factors is to check the weather forecast for when you are planning to ride. If it is rainy or foggy consider postponing your ride until weather conditions are more ideal and there is more visibility.
What To Do If You Are Injured in a Mountain Biking Accident
An injury while mountain biking can be difficult, and your next steps are crucial to your safety. Remember to do the following:
- Assess Your Condition: Move to a spot off of the trail if possible and take a minute to evaluate yourself for injuries. Look for signs of any severe injuries like heavy bleeding, broken bones, head trauma, or difficulty breathing. If you suspect a head, neck, or spine injury, do not risk moving and call for help immediately.
- Address Immediate Medical Needs: Treat any bleeding immediately by applying pressure to any cuts or wounds with a clean cloth or a bandage. If you suspect a broken bone, try your best to keep that area stable, and make a makeshift splint if you have supplies.
- Get Help if Needed: If your injuries are severe and you are disoriented or have significant pain, call 911, or use a whistle to attract attention if you do not have cell service.
- Check Your Bike: If your injuries are not severe, check to see if your bike is functional enough to ride back to either the start of the trail or your vehicle. If it is unsafe, you may have to walk or wait for assistance.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor after a mountain biking accident you should still see a doctor. A full medical evaluation will be able to catch all of your injuries, even ones that may have gone under the radar due to adrenaline.
Should I Contact A Bike Accident Lawyer?
If you were injured in a mountain biking accident and it was caused by the negligence of someone else, then you may have grounds for a personal injury case. At LifeLaw Personal Injury, our Utah bike accident lawyers are avid outdoorsman themselves, and spend much of their time on these beautiful Utah trails, so let their experience help you.
Our team of attorneys is here to help you through every step of the legal process. Let our personal injury attorneys handle your case and get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on what is really important, your recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in a biking accident, give us a call to discuss your options at 801-206-4002.