Our readers in Ohio and Kentucky may have had the opportunity to get outdoors this summer and ride their bicycles, perhaps in the city or even on mountain bike trails. As much fun as that might be, bicyclists need to be aware of the dangers around them, especially those who are riding their bikes near automobile lanes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in one recent year – 2019 – nearly 850 bicyclists died in traffic collisions. It may seem obvious, but in a collision between a bicyclist and a motor vehicle, the bicyclist almost always comes out of the incident with more injuries and concern for both the short-term and long-term future. Wearing a helmet might help, but other injuries, such as broken bones, are usually common in auto-bicycle collisions.
Further NHTSA data shows that many auto-bicycle collision occur during the evening hours. So, it may be a good idea to focus on riding at other times of the day. And, more of these types of collisions occur in urban areas than in rural areas – again, the mere presence of automobiles in the vicinity of places where people ride bicycles ups the risks for a potential accident with injury.
Considering legal options
When a bicyclist is struck by a vehicle and suffers injuries as a result, that injured victim may have legal options to consider. A personal injury lawsuit may lead to the recovery of financial compensation that could help pay off the medical expenses, along with other costs, that usually arise in the aftermath of an auto-bicycle collision. For more information about how our law firm attempts to help people who find themselves in this type of situation, please visit the personal injury overview section of our website.
