Cycling is both a good way to stay in shape and an environmentally-friendly alternative to driving. Unfortunately, California has recently seen a rise in fatal bike crashes. Between 2016 and 2018, more cyclists were killed than in any other three-year time frame in the last two-and-a-half decades.
Common causes of injuries
There are several reasons why bicyclists are injured in crashes in California. Some of the most common causes include:
- Drivers not yielding to bikes properly
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers
- Distracted driving mistakes
- Drivers who drift into the bike lane
- Drivers who make tight turns without looking into the bike lane to avoid cyclists
All of these issues make riding around motor vehicles dangerous for cyclists. Fortunately, drivers can make changes to address these common crash causes and prevent them in the future.
How drivers can help
Some of the things that drivers can do to help keep cyclists safer include:
- Looking into the bike lane before attempting to make a right-hand turn
- Putting down devices that are distracting and paying close attention to the road
- Never getting behind the wheel while intoxicated
- Always yielding to cyclists
- Giving cyclists at least three feet of space when passing or driving nearby
It is important for cyclists to be cautious, but it’s even more vital that drivers are aware of cyclists’ rights to be on the road. Bicycles are vehicles, and cyclists do have a right to use the roadways.
If a distracted or intoxicated driver collides with you while you’re biking, consider pursuing a personal injury claim to help you cover your financial losses and hold the irresponsible driver accountable.
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