Bikes are a great way to get around California but they can cause significant injuries too. Each year, more than 600 people due from bike accidents and more than 50,000 people are injured. That is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
There are many causes of bike accidents but no matter what the cause, if you were involved in a bike accident then it may be worth talking to a personal injury attorney. You can do so by contacting Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Start by learning the basics of bike safety
First and foremost, learn the rules and laws of California. When on your bike, you must obey traffic signals and signs. You must also ride in the direction as other traffic. You must ride on the side of the road near the curb but not on the sidewalk. If you do ride on the sidewalk then you risk running into an obstacle or hitting a pedestrian. While we recommend that everyone who rides a bike wears a helmet, those who are 18 and under are required to do so. There is additional gear available as well to help keep bicyclists safe.
Avoid hazards in the road
When you are biking down the road, you need to keep an eye out for other cars and bikes but you must also look at the condition of the road itself. In fact, poor road conditions are one of the most common causes of serious and even fatal bike accidents. Keep a special eye out for these road hazards:
- Potholes. Caused by weather and / or heavy traffic, potholes can throw your bike off balance and send you flying. The worst culprits are potholes filled with water because you may not initially realize how deep – and dangerous – they are.
- The shoulder of the road. If you are on a road with no bike lane then you have no choice but to ride on the shoulder. Keep an eye out for common hazards here, such as gravel and rumble strips.
- Sewer grates. On almost all roads, sewer grates are dangerous if your tires get stuck in them.
- Slippery areas. Any number of materials can cause the road to be slippery, from oil to paint and beyond. If your tires go through something slippery then you could be going through an accident.
There is no way to prevent 100% of bike accidents. That said, there are things you can do to minimize the impact if you are hurt (such as wear a helmet) and there are things to do to lessen your chance (as described above). In the event you are involved in and injured by a bike accident then you may need to turn to a personal injury attorney. You can do so easily by reaching out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for your free legal consultation.
