personal injury attorney seattle washington
personal injury attorney seattle washington
Top 5 Bicycle accident prevention tips from a Seattle personal injury lawyer
Summer is finally in full force, meaning it is time to take the bike around the shops and have a nice walk in the sun. For many of us, the bike often includes shipping through the streets of the city, so I compiled a list of some tips to help minimize the risks aa a bicycle accident. As a personal injury lawyer Seattle and Washington State car accident lawyer, I fought for clients involved in these accidents, and I learned all too well the dangers of cycling in a city can be.
In 2008, bicycle accidents to 716 lives across the country and wounded more than 52,000 people. bike safety is often neglected ignored because it represents only 2% of all deaths related to the car, but yet it is something that precautions can be reduced much further. Walk bike through the crowded streets in neighborhoods can be very difficult, and as a lawyer in Seattle, Washington, I know first hand. So without further ado, here is my list of 5 tips that can greatly reduce your risk of a bicycle accident:
1. Stay on the sidewalk: It is always tempting to avoid the traffic driving on the sidewalk, especially when there is no bike path. But whatever the circumstances, it is legal and much safer to travel in the street. As a cyclist, the speed can be easily hidden if you're on the sidewalk, because drivers have tend to wait and watch for pedestrians. A bike accident common can occur when a cyclist is happening on the sidewalk when a driver across the street made a left turn at an intersection. Imagine you are the driver. You look for oncoming traffic to see if it is clear to go, then quickly check the crosswalk for pedestrians. A cyclist crosses the sidewalk to the crosswalk are virtually invisible to you, and it really an accident waiting to happen. 64% of bicycle accidents occur at intersections, and this is one reason why. Stay on the street, because it is the oncoming traffic can see.
2. This may look like your mother, but wear a helmet! 22 states currently have some type of helmet laws Cycling for children and adolescents. Although no state has a law requiring adults to wear helmets, many cities and counties do. It for good reason. As attorney injury, I saw first hand what difference with the medical implications may be between a person wearing a helmet, and someone who is not. Recent studies show that 85% of head injuries from bicycle accidents can be reduced by using a headset. As humans, accidents happen, so you better prepare for the worst and protect yourself just in case.
3. Ride with traffic, but it may be convenient or more comfortable for you, riding against traffic is always a very bad idea. In short, reaction time is reduced dramatically when a car and approach the other. Riding with traffic means that cars coming at you from behind, they are given time to adjust to you if necessary. Once again, the problems this can cause at intersections. A motorcycle accident is very common that happens when a cyclist in the wrong, and a car turning right onto a street. Turn right onto the street, many drivers do not look left for traffic in the opposite direction to find an opening to enter. If you go against the traffic coming from the other side and the driver probably will not even look to see if they were there. In a race to quickly turn the street, an accident is very likely if you are crossing the intersection at the same time.
4. Get both a beacon and a flashing backlight: In most states, it is illegal to cycle at night without a light background and flashing lights. This law is absolutely common sense and can save lives if they continue. Even if you night vision goggles and can see very well, the cars on the road can not. Driving at night is more risky in itself, but if cyclists on the road without lights, the risk increases exponentially. Try to be as visible as possible to help people avoid hitting the cars.
5. Walk slowly and avoid Blind Spot: It's pretty obvious, but it's something that you can escape if you lose focus. Riding slowly through the streets of the city is just smart because there are potholes and debris that must be avoided. It is also important because it can slow the cars on the road cycling more than one occasion to see and turn back if necessary. Avoid blind spots on a bike is also very important, because no one wants to bike in your corner death. Before moving on, most cars will have a quick review of another vehicle in your blind spot and if you see something remarkable, then they go. Try to stay ahead of and behind the cars, especially at traffic lights and blind spots can avoid collisions.
About the Author
Jason Epstein is an personal injury attorney in Seattle, Washington. He is the founder of
Straight Talk Law
and the author of
several books
including The Truth About Washington Auto Accidents. More information can be found at StraightTalkLaw.com
Seattle personal injury Washington attorney Lawyer Matt Dubin