Riding a bicycle can be hazardous when traveling near moving vehicles. Unfortunately, accidents may happen even when bicyclists exercise extreme care while pedaling in a Maryland bike lane. Reckless or inattentive drivers might not see the bike and hit the person riding it. Severe injuries may result when these collisions happen.
Dangers for bicyclists
Bicycle enthusiasts should take note of a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that revealed 966 cyclists died in traffic accidents in 2021. In 2021, cyclist deaths were the highest since 1975.
The increases were not limited to metropolitan areas, as rural locations also experienced a rise in fatal accidents. A bicycle’s lack of protection – such as a vehicle’s frame – leaves the cyclist at risk for life-threatening injuries. For that reason, bicyclists must be careful when cycling in any environment. A common element in many accidents involving motor vehicles is negligence.
Reasons for bicycle accidents
Several actions lead to bicycle and pedestrian accidents, with many such incidents occurring at intersections. Drivers might not look when they turn and don’t notice a bicyclist or pedestrian until it is too late. Of course, such accidents can happen at other locations besides intersections, including parking lots and driveways.
Negligence takes many forms, including common distracting behaviors like texting while driving. Even a momentary distraction may result in a fatal collision. Reckless driving plays a recurring role in many accidents. Drunk drivers and those committing moving violations often cannot stop their vehicles in time to avoid collisions.
Accident victims could file a lawsuit or an insurance claim to recover their losses. Any compensation received from a claim may cover the losses the victim incurs.
