Posted on February 27, 2018

Bicycle accidents happen in every state across the country, for many reasons. Many of these accidents take place due to the negligence of other drivers who share the roadways, but not every accident. Bicycle accidents at intersections can be especially terrifying because, at an intersection, many motor vehicles are passing through and there is a greater chance of serious injuries. Today we will focus on these serious, unfortunately common accidents and how you can avoid them.

Bicycle Accidents at Intersections: The Many Types

bicycle accidents at intersections Left Cross: These accidents take place when drivers and cyclists are approaching an intersection from opposing sides and the driver turns left. The cyclist has nowhere to go, and they are usually hit head-on if they can’t get out of the way. If the intersection is full of traffic, you are likely to sustain a variety of life-threatening injuries as a cyclist. 

Right Hook: If a bicycle and driver are traveling on the same side of the road and the driver turns right, they could crash into the cyclist. These take place in about 15% of accidents involving both cyclists and drivers. 

Failure to Yield: A driver does not wait for a cyclist to make their moves or fails to stop at a stop sign or red light, and a cyclist pays the price as an accident results.

Open Door: If a car is parallel parked on the side of the road and somebody opens their door at the wrong moment, a bicyclist could run into the door and be thrown from the bike, even into traffic in the worst cases.

Avoiding Vehicle-on-Bicycle Accidents

There are many ways that these horrific accidents can be prevented at intersections. Drivers must constantly be on the lookout for bicycle riders but, because we know that bikers are sometimes pushed to the background, not every accident will be preventable. We can do our best to try to reduce the number of accidents that take place in this fashion. Here are some ways to do so:

  • Increasing the visibility of the cyclist by using methods like lamps, reflective clothing, and more
  • Being on the constant lookout for bicycle riders
  • Riding as defensively as possible when you take your bike to many places
  • Bicycle riders learning how to execute emergency maneuvers to prevent accidents

Sometimes, cyclists can be blamed for accidents that occur. For instance, what happens if a bicyclist comes to what is called an “almost stop?” This means that the cyclist will be barred from any recovery, even if the motorist was actually responsible for the accident. This is due to the fact that the bicyclist did not abide by the rules of the road. This is why both cyclists and motorists should always do whatever it takes to drive as safely as possible and share the roadways.

At the Accident Law Group, we want to help you fight for your rights if you have been injured in a bicycle accident. Many bike-related accidents take place at intersections every year, each one as devastating as the next. Let us help you every step of the way on your claim. Call us today for more information at 602-262-4254.

Sources

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/bike-accidents-collisions-with-cars-29549-2.html