Personal Injury Risk is Higher For Bicyclists, but Legal Penalties for Drivers Remain Low

The Centers for Disease Control notes that bicyclists are more at risk of injury and death than drivers of motor vehicles. In 2013 alone, bike accidents sent 494,000 people to the emergency room. The cost of bike accidents in the U.S. is immense. Research shows that personal injuries and deaths from bike accidents cost individuals and their families an estimated $10 billion in life-long medical expenses and lost productivity. Those who are most at risk of getting injured in bike accidents, tend to be younger. When they are seriously injured, they lose more productive years of life and work.

Bike injuries can also be life-altering. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and serious internal injuries are more common with bike accidents than auto accidents. Bikers are more likely to get thrown from their bike, and, if the biker is not wearing his or her helmet, he or she is more likely to suffer serious brain injury.

The New York Times reports that more U.S. cities are working to find better ways to accommodate bikers. Despite these changes, few cities are putting tougher penalties in place for drivers who hit bikers. The New York Times reports that drivers seldom receive tickets or citations, even when the accidents are fatal. Despite the fact that 40 states require drivers to stay at least 3 feet away from any bicyclist, few states support these laws with strict penalties for violators. While families and victims are fighting for tougher enforcement of bike safety laws, often the only way for families to seek justice is after an accident has already happened.

If drivers can get away with hitting or killing a bicyclist with only a ticket or minor citation, there is little incentive for drivers to use added caution around bikers who are one of the most vulnerable road users. The only way for families and victims to receive justice, in this case, is through civil litigation and through the civil courts. Families can often recover money for their lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation fees, and pain and suffering. These recoveries not only allow families to pay for the burden that these accidents cause, but they also send an important message to drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also offers some tips for how bikers can keep themselves safe. Here are some things you can do:

·         Wear a helmet.

·         Make sure your bike is properly fitted to your height.

·         Double check that your tires are inflated properly and that your brakes work.

·         Wear neon, florescent, and use reflective tape when biking.

·         Use a headlight.

·         Obey traffic laws.

·         Avoid night biking.

Safe biking is everyone’s responsibility. However, in many accidents, bikers were following the law and doing everything right. Drivers often make careless or fatal errors. When a biker is involved—the bicyclist often pays the highest price. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a bike accident, a personal injury lawyer in Pittsburgh or Washington, Pennsylvania may be able to help you and your family get the justice you deserve. Visit the website of Goodrich & Associates, P.C. or call 412-261-4663 today.