How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents at Intersections

Most bicycle accidents involve only the person riding the bicycle.  In fact, according to Nolo.com, only 11% of bicycle accidents occur with an automobile.  Of these collisions, however, nearly half happen at an intersection, making these traffic areas particularly hazardous for people on bikes.

Why are traffic intersections so dangerous for cyclists?   Cars may not come to a complete stop at the traffic signal, or drivers may only be looking for oncoming cars and trucks before proceeding through a turn.   Traffic intersections are usually busy, with many cars traveling in different directions.  This alone increases the chances of a bicycle-car collision.

When approaching a traffic intersection, cyclists should proceed with caution.  In all 50 states, bicycles are vehicles, and they must follow the rules of the road. This means following the same traffic laws as automobiles.  Cyclists should come to a complete stop at stop lights and stop signs.  They should not run through yellow lights.  They should wait for a green light before proceeding through an intersection and look both ways to ensure that no traffic is barreling toward them.

Cyclists must also follow traffic laws that apply to intersections without a traffic signal.  If a bicycle and an automobile arrive at such an intersection, then the vehicle that arrived first has the right of way.  If a bicycle and the automobile arrive at the same time, then the vehicle to the right has the right of way.

Carefully follow intersection traffic laws, and you will decrease your chances of being involved in a bicycle-automobile collision.   Yet accidents do happen.  If you are a cyclist and have been in a car collision that was not your fault, then contact us.  We are the Law Office of Gary Brustin and are here to protect your cyclist rights.

Bicycle Safety Includes a Proper Fit, Position and Core Strength

If you’re a cyclist, then most likely you’ve suffered from shoulder and neck pain and stiffness. Many assume that the pain is the result of the position your body takes on while riding a bike. But that is not necessarily true. The pain could be the result of your core strength, the position you assume, or your body’s fit in the seat of your bike. Because bicycle safety is more than just following the rules of the road, we’d like to provide you with some tips on how to correct the issues that could be causing you pain.

Improper Bike Fit

To determine if the result of your pain is improper bike fit, we suggest you visit your local bike shop. Subtle adjustments can be difficult, and some bike shops have software that can automatically adjust your fit.

Riding Position and Core Strength

In order to have the core strength needed for cycling, you have to pay attention to your overall health and fitness. Bicycling.com has a great article on how to train your core muscles for cycling. Also, paying attention to your muscle fatigue is extremely important when cycling. Your body does a great job of telling you when it’s tired, so listen to it.

As for the proper position, again, your local bike shop can help you determine the proper frame for your size, handlebar position and more. If you’re not riding in the correct position, your body is only going to get sorer and sorer with each ride.

We want you to stay safe while riding, and proper fit, position and core strength is key. If you’ve been injured while cycling, please reach out to our experienced team today.

Bicycle Accidents are Sometimes Caused by Dangerous Road Conditions

vehicles around you. But, unfortunately, it may seem that the favor is not returned, at least in the way of road maintenance. If you find yourself injured due to a crack in the road, you may find that the municipality tells you they’re not responsible for keeping the road safe for bicycles, only for automobiles.

Sometimes Accidents are Unavoidable

You’ve probably been riding around from time to time and encountered these dangerous cracks or breaks in the road. Sometimes, you’re able to navigate around them, but other times, you find yourself in a situation where hitting the crack is unavoidable, whether that be because of road conditions, road debris or traffic. When this happens, you may find yourself holding your breath and praying you survive this bicycle accident.

Serious Injury

Cracks in the road can cause serious injury to riders, and what makes matters worse is that these cracks seem to be present in the shoulder of the road, where bicyclists are expected to ride. Road maintenance crews are more interested in keeping the main part of the roadway safe for vehicles, but they tend to neglect the shoulder areas to keep things safe for bicyclists as well.

If you’re been injured due to dangerous road conditions, whether that condition was on the shoulder or in another area of the road, reach out to our experienced team.

Three Fatal Bicycle Accidents in 24-Hour Period Stun the Bay Area

In just 24 hours, three separate and fatal bicycle accidents left the Bay Area reeling. San Francisco police officials indicated that two of the accidents were of the hit-and-run variety.

These accidents were the result of speeding and negligent driver actions, providing a sobering reminder of how far San Francisco must go to achieve its Vision Zero goals. Vision Zero, for reference, is San Francisco’s plan to eliminate traffic deaths in the city by 2024.

Additionally, it also provides a sobering reminder to bicyclists that bicycle safety is not entirely up to the bicyclist. When a bicyclist is injured by a negligent driver, the injured victim may be entitled to legal compensation.

Bicycle Accident Injuries 

Bicycle accidents may not be avoidable, but you can receive justice if you have been the victim of a driver’s negligent and reckless behavior.

Common bicycle accident injuries include:

  • Rear-end accidents caused by a passing vehicle
  • Side-swipe collisions caused by a passing vehicle
  • Being struck by a door on either the driver or passenger side
  • Left turning and right turning vehicles
  • Dog attacks
  • And more

If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, contact a California bicycle accident attorney without delay. Waiting to receive justice can lead to the loss of evidence or could harm future negotiations with the driver and/or the driver’s insurance company.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a bicycle accident, contact us for a legal consultation. We protect the legal rights of injured cyclists just like you and fight for your right to receive deserved compensation.