Bicycles are a relatively safe and healthy way to travel around, but there is still always a chance of getting into an accident with a motor vehicle. Often, these accidents would not happen if not for the carelessness of drivers, particularly when there are other external factors. Here are five risk factors that can contribute to the likelihood of bicycle accidents:
- Poor visibility
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- One of the most common issues seen in bicycle accidents is, quite simply, that drivers do not see the bikes in time to avoid the accident. Sometimes this is due to inattentiveness, but it can also be due to issues such as poor weather or driving at night. Parked vehicles can also obstruct drivers’ vision, preventing them from seeing bikes until it is too late.
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- Lack of bike lanes
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- When cities have dedicated bike lanes, it dramatically reduces the chances of bicycle accidents. However, many cities and towns do not have these lanes, and often do not even have a sidewalk for pedestrians or bicyclists. When motorists and bicyclists are forced to share the same parts of the road, accidents become much more likely.
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- Distracted driving
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- Distracted driving is often associated with texting and driving, but encompasses any situation where people do things other than focusing on driving while behind the wheel. This includes trying to eat, drink, shave, read, or otherwise multitask when they should be focused on driving their vehicle. This can lead to delayed reaction times, or potentially missing the fact that bicyclists are in front of them until it is too late to avoid an accident.
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- Fatigued driving
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- People should always be attentive when behind the wheel, but that can be difficult when physically or mentally exhausted. Fatigue can cause inattentiveness, delayed reaction times, and can even cause people to fall asleep behind the wheel. While this can be an issue at any time of the day, it can be especially problematic at night, where fatigue combined with poor visibility can dramatically increase the chances of bicycle accidents.
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- Driving under the influence (DUI)
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- People who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road, whether bicyclists or otherwise. They can be erratic, unpredictable, and may completely lose control of their vehicle depending on their level of intoxication. This, in turn, can significantly increase the chances of a potentially fatal accident.
For more than 50 years, the New York lawyers at Elovich and Adell have represented clients like you in real estate cases. Our attorneys, conveniently located in Long Beach, handle personal injury, real estate, commercial transactions, criminal defense, and labor and employment claims all across New York State. For a consultation, please call us at 516-432-6263 or visit our contact page for more information.
