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Bicyclists are at a higher risk of injury than other drivers on the road, especially in urban areas, where 93% of all fatal bike accidents in Florida occur. Even when not fatal, bicycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that can take months or years to recover from and impact a bicyclist’s ability to earn a living and care for themselves daily.

One of the most common causes of bicycle accidents is speeding by other drivers. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 64% of bicycle accidents occur on sections of road that are not near intersections since motorists are driving faster in these areas . The drivers may not have time to slow down or change lanes if they see a bicyclist. If a car or truck driver hits a bicyclist while driving at a high speed, the bicyclist will likely have severe injuries or die.

Impaired drivers are another threat to bicyclists. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may misjudge the distance between themselves and the bicyclist, have a slower reaction time if they see a bike on the road, or may not even realize the bicyclist is there. Impaired drivers are a hazard to all vehicles on the road, but they are especially dangerous for bicyclists due to the lack of protection that a bike offers compared to a car.

A threat similar to impaired driving is distracted driving. A driver in a car may be distracted by texting, changing radio stations, or focusing too much on the passengers in the car and too little on the road. An inattentive driver is a dangerous driver, especially to cyclists.

Fatal bicycle accidents are more likely to occur at night. In 2021 in Florida, 59% of all bicycle accidents happened at nighttime. Bad weather also increases risk for bicyclists. In addition to the road being slick, rain and fog decreases visibility, so drivers may not even see the bicyclist before colliding. To help minimize the risk of these types of accidents, it’s best to avoid bicycling in inclement weather and at night. If you have no choice but to ride your bicycle in these conditions, make sure to wear reflective clothing and outfit your bike with front lights and rear red lights to make your presence known to drivers.

Regardless of the weather or time of day, the most important step you can take to stay safe while bicycling is to wear a helmet. This one step may save your life if you are in an accident.

If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, contact the law office of Rader Law Group. We have helped thousands of accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. We will fight vigorously until you receive the justice that you deserve.

Rader Law Group, LLC

With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

References Used:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov)). Accessed April 9, 2023.
CDC. Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC. Accessed April 9, 2023.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov)). Accessed April 9, 2023.

Cycling, an environmentally-friendly and heart-healthy way to travel, has significant safety risks – more than 130,000 bicyclists are injured each year in the United States . Unlike a car accident, where the car provides some protection, in a bike accident your body takes the full brunt of the impact, leading to catastrophic injuries that can change your entire life in a split second.

Road Rash

While the name sounds benign, the condition is far from it. Road rash occurs when a bicyclist is thrown off their bike and skids or is dragged on the ground. This breaks the rider’s skin where they land and can embed dirt, glass shards, insects, or anything else on the ground into the rider’s skin. This can occur on any body part that hits the ground, and is commonly found on the face, hands, arms, and legs. The victim may need to have items surgically extricated from their skin and body at the hospital. Depending on the severity of the road rash, this can cause permanent scarring, disfiguration, and infection. In some cases, skin grafts and reconstructive surgery are necessary.

Head Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that “bicycling leads to the highest number of sport and recreation–related emergency department (ED) visits for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the United States” . TBIs occur when the bicyclist’s head violently hits the ground or another object, injuring the brain. TBIs range in severity from mild, which can cause headaches, to severe, which can cause a coma or seizures. Even a mild TBI can impact a person’s ability to work and participate in daily activities for months until the brain heals.

Another common type of head injury is a skull or facial fracture. If the skull breaks, the bicyclist may need surgery to repair it to prevent damage to their brain or bleeding. If a bone in the cyclist’s face breaks, they may need reconstructive surgery to repair the damage.

The best way to prevent a head injury while biking is to wear a helmet. According to a study cited by the National Safety Council, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a head injury by 60% and of a brain injury by 58%.

Broken Bones

In addition to facial fractures, a bicyclist could break their arms, legs, or any other bones. They could even lose teeth, causing them to need dental implants. These injuries can cause pain and make it difficult or impossible to work for months.

If you are in a bicycle accident, seek medical attention immediately. Once your condition is stable, contact the attorneys at Rader Law Group to learn your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.

Rader Law Group, LLC

With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

References Used:
CDC. Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC. Accessed March 7, 2023.
CDC. Emergency Department Visits for Bicycle-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children and Adults — United States, 2009–2018 | MMWR (cdc.gov). Accessed March 7, 2023.
NSC. Bicycle Deaths – Injury Facts (nsc.org). Accessed March 7, 2023.