Auto - Bicycle Accident*
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Representing the Injured in New York
41,000 cyclists were injured and 725 were killed in 2004. New York state ranked 4th in the total number of cyclists killed and was home to 1,493 traffic fatalities that year alone. The prevalence of New York bicycle accident injuries and fatalities can be largely attributed to the narrow, busy streets in many of its cities and the long, winding roads of upstate New York, where many drivers may pay less attention to their surroundings.
In many accidents involving vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and trucks, the cyclist is often not at fault. Time and time again the accident is the result of the driver not paying due attention to the road or traveling the roadways in an unsafe manner. Almost 40% of bicycle accidents occur at intersections, mainly because of drivers not giving cyclists enough room to maneuver, cutting them off at turns, and not heeding the cyclists’ hand signals.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration’s 2004 data, cyclist fatalities occurred mostly in urban areas (66%), at nonintersections (67%), between the hours of 5 pm and 9 pm (30%), and during the months of June, July, and August (36%). 19% of these fatalities were children between the ages of 5 and 15.
Cyclists under the age of 16 accounted for 21% of all cyclists killed in 2004 and 32% of all bicycle-related injuries. This is due largely to the fact that children under the age of 16 are not legally allowed to drive and thus do not have access to their own automobiles for transportation. Additionally, younger cyclists lack the experience of older riders and may be more prone to panicking and making grave mistakes when faced with dangerous situations. Children are more apt to rush through intersections or quickly pull out of driveways than adults and are more reluctant to wear safety gear. Parents must teach their children necessary cycling safety tips and strongly encourage the use of protective gear such as helmets to help prevent serious New York bicycle accidents.
Bicycling Laws in New York
According to the New York State Department of Transportation:
- Bicyclists must drive with traffic, as bicycling against traffic is a leading cause of accidents.
- Bicyclists are to be treated as fellow motorists, and ‘due care’ must be exercised to avoid colliding with cyclists.
- Bicyclists must wear a helmet if under the age of 13. Some areas of New York require a helmet regardless of age, but it is a good idea to wear a helmet no matter what when cycling.
- Motorists must yield the right-of-way to the cyclist, just as they would to another vehicle.
Be sure to obey all local laws and exercise caution when bicycling. It could save your life.
Bicycle Safety Tips
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following 10 steps be observed when bicycling:
- Wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet can reduce the chance of serious injury by up to 85%.
- Make sure your bicycle is adjusted properly so your handlebars are firmly attached to the frame and you are able to turn smoothly.
- Always check your brakes before riding. If you are unable to stop quickly, adjust your brakes so that the pads are 1/8th of an inch from the rim.
- Wear highly visible colors. Bright, neon, or fluorescent colors are recommended.
- Try to avoid biking at night. If you must, be sure to have reflectors and the brightest lights possible on both the front and the rear of the bike. Assume you are not seen by other drivers and try to avoid biking in areas you are unfamiliar with.
- Stay alert. Be on guard for potholes, cracks, or irregularities in the road – anything that could make you fall or place you in danger.
- Always travel on the right-hand side of the road. Be sure to ride in a predictable manner and do not make sudden turns. Travel as far to the right side of the road as possible while still allowing yourself room to maneuver.
- Check for traffic. Always be aware of the vehicles on the road around you and what they are doing. A majority of bicycle accidents occur at intersections. Check left-right-left before proceeding through intersections, and watch out for traffic turning left or right.
- Learn the rules of the road and obey traffic laws. Bicyclists are considered motorists and you must act accordingly.
- Make sure your wheels are securely fastened. Check them before any ride, after any fall, and after you transport your bicycle.
Unfortunately, some accidents are unavoidable regardless of how much caution you exercise. If your bicycle accident was caused by an irresponsible motorist or was the result of unsafe conditions on the road, come to the law firm of William Mattar for help with your case. If you can’t come to us, we can come to you. Call 1-800-7-MATTAR today or fill out one of our consultation forms. We will do what we can to help you when you’ve been seriously injured in New York.
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If you’ve been injured while riding a bicycle in New York, contact William Mattar, a New York bicycle accident lawyer focusing on car, bus, truck, and motorcycle crashes. William Mattar’s main office is in Williamsville, but he has successfully advocated for clients across New York state, including Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Corning, Elmira, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Plattsburgh, Schenectady, Troy, Utica, and Watertown. Fill out a Free Online Consultation Form or call 1-800-7-MATTAR for a free consultation today!
*All facts and figures from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the New York state Department of Transportation.
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