Bicycles have become an increasingly popular form of exercise and transportation, especially in New York. As popular as they may be, bicycles are also one of the leading sports that result in injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, you have 
certain legal rights. It is best to hire an attorney who specifically handles these types of cases to protect your legal rights and help you get the full extent of the monetary damages that you are entitled to.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), each year about 2 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents involve bicyclists. In 2013, approximately 740 bicyclists were fatally injured in accidents with motor vehicles. This accounts for a 2 percent increase from 2012.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that, New York is one of five states that make up 54 percent of cycling traffic deaths. Moreover, according to the GHSA, there has been a 16 percent increase in the number of bicyclists killed in automobile accidents.
Serious Injuries Suffered by Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicycle accidents often involve catastrophic injuries because they provide riders no real protection when involved in accidents. Unlike motor vehicles, bicyclists do not benefit from the safety of seatbelts, airbags or steel frames. Serious injuries suffered by bicycle accident victims include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
5 Steps That May Help You Avoid a Serious Bike Accident
You may not be able to completely avoid getting into an accident, but you can take certain steps to reduce the likelihood of a serious accident while riding your bike. Five important safety steps are discussed below:
- Make sure your bicycle is safe. The first step in avoiding accidents while riding your bicycle is to make sure it is in a safe condition before riding. Check your brakes, make sure the tires are adequately inflated and adjust your seat to your height.
- Be seen by motorists on the road. Bicyclists are often not seen by motorists on the road. To help remedy this situation, you should wear bright clothing and reflectors, especially if riding at night.
- Avoid road hazards. Be cautious of any dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, oil spills, dead animals, or broken branches.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals. As a bicyclist, you need to follow all rules of the road. This means you need to stop at stop signs and red lights, use hand signals when turning, and ride in bike lanes, if provided.
- Do not go against the flow of traffic. Go with the flow of traffic. It is best to always ride your bicycle with the flow of traffic, NOT against it.
Call Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, we can help. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York bicycle accident attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.