Cycling is a common enjoyable activity in Washington, popularly among people of all ages, from kids to teenagers to adults and some seniors. While cycles are safer than other vehicles, such as cars and trucks, they can be dangerous in some cases. As you must have assumed, 90% of the deaths in bike crashes are caused by collisions with motor vehicles.
If you have been injured in a bike crash with another vehicle which was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. In most cases, car drivers walk away with no injuries, while bike riders are gravely injured. Do not hesitate to reach out to Renton bike crash attorneys to exercise your rights.
Common types of bike accidents.
- Collision with a car: Collision with a car is one of the most common types of bike accidents in Washington. If a driver fails to notice a bicyclist or a driver turns on the path of an oncoming cyclist, it can lead to a collision. To avoid such accidents, wearing protective gear like a helmet and using tail lights while riding at night is highly recommended.
- Falling off the bike: Another common bicycle accident can occur if a rider falls off his bike. Losing balance or colliding with an obstacle can lead to such accidents. To minimize injuries from such accidents, always wear a helmet.
- Collision with another cyclist: A cyclist can also get involved in an accident and sustain injuries by colliding with another cyclist. Always use hand signals while turning and drive cautiously to prevent such bicycle collisions.
Common causes of bike accidents.
Bike accidents can occur for many reasons. Understanding each risk factor and riding cautiously is essential to prevent such accidents and injuries. Some common causes of bike accidents include:
- Distracted driving: When a rider fails to pay his full attention on the road and gets involved in other activities, such as using a phone or texting while riding, it can lead to a collision.
- Unsafe lane changes: not noticing any bicyclist coming their way and making sudden lane changes can result in an accident. Failure to look for blind spots or check the side mirrors can lead to severe accidents.
- Bicycling at night: Riding a bicyclist at night can increase the risk of accidents because of low vision. If a bicyclist is not using reflectors or tail lights while riding at night, it would be difficult to see them, resulting in an accident.
- Speeding: Overspeeding vehicles or bicycles can result in severe accidents. Due to overspeeding, the reaction time of the driver or rider is decreased, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
If you or your loved one were injured in a bike crash, you have rights. Hire an attorney today!
