What Causes Bicycle Accidents in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area?
There are many things that can be attributed to bicycle accidents in our community. I personally believe that being aware of many of the situations that cause bicycle wrecks will help prevent you from being in a bicycle accident.
Here are a few of the common causes of bike crashes:
•Drivers who are unaware of bicyclists: Make sure that if you are biking on a road that is shared with vehicles that you keep a safe distance from all of the cars around you. It is often difficult for drivers to see where you are if you are not far enough away from their car to see you clearly in their mirrors.
•U-Turns: Be particularly aware of cars that are about to make a u-turn or are in the process of making a u-turn. There is a lot going on that the vehicle driver should be paying attention to when making a u-turn, so keeping your distance from cars that are u-turning. This is a preventative measure to make sure you are not in a bike accident because a driver does not see you when making a u-turn.
•Car Doors: When biking near parked cars, keep enough distance so that if a car door suddenly opens, you would not run into the door with your bicycle.
•Alcohol: In 37% of bicycle accidents either the driver of the car or the bicyclist was driving under the influence. Bottom line: do not drink and drive whether you are driving a car, bike, or any other form of transportation.
I hope being aware of several of the common causes of bike accidents will help you be better prepared next time you are riding to work, working out, or just simply enjoying the outdoors. Almost 700 bicyclists are killed each year. I hope that taking precautionary measures by being aware of possible causes of bike wrecks will help keep you and your family safe.
This information is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a bicycle accident, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
