Summer is nearly upon us, and many people take their bikes to the roads during these warmer months. An increased amount of bikers on the road means an increased chance for bicycle accidents. Get informed on startling safety statistics related to bicycle accidents and learn what you can do to protect yourself.
What Are the Major Trends?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), deaths among bicyclists aged 20 and older have tripled since 1975. Interestingly, the increase in deaths has only occurred among bikers who are older than 20; bicyclist deaths for those younger than 20 have actually decreased substantially since 1975, which could be due to increased awareness of children’s biking safety. In terms of when and how most bicyclist deaths occur, the data shows that:- Bicycle-related deaths increase in the summer months, with the most deaths occurring in August.
- Of the 1,089 bicyclist deaths in 2019, 712 died in motor vehicle crashes. This accounted for 65% of bicyclist deaths that year.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
While motorists must treat bikers like any other vehicle on the road, they do not always do so. Therefore, it is important for you to know how to protect yourself as a bicyclist. The best way to prevent serious head injury and death is to wear a helmet. Research has shown that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58%. Additionally, it’s smart to wear brightly colored clothing and install lights on your bike so motorists have a much better chance of seeing you, even in bad weather or at night. Still, taking all of these measures will not prevent every bicycle accident, particularly since most bicycle accidents involve collisions with motor vehicles. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, our Kansas City and Topeka personal injury attorneys are here to help. We have helped countless clients across these two states recover the compensation they need and deserve after serious accidents. Learn how we may help you, too.Call DiPasquale Moore at (816) 888-7500 to schedule a free consultation.