A woman who was riding her mountain bike through Quiet Waters Park is now getting close to $18,000 from the Broward County Commission, according to the Sun Sentinel. What happened was she flew over the handlebars of her bike and nearly landed head-first on the trail below, seriously injuring her spine.
The woman now has to pay more than $80,000 in medical bills because she fractured a cervical vertebrae in the accident. Officials are saying that they’re not dishing out the total costs because the woman was trespassing at the time of the accident. They add that she didn’t sign the proper waiver or watch the safety video before going out riding.
Our Broward County bicycle accident lawyers understand that there are trails for riders of all experience levels. There are some for more experienced riders, and those like the DNA trail for beginners. We also understand the popularity of biking in the area. Flat locale has been the dominate way for most of these cyclists to travel in recent years, but the trends seems to be shifting to path riding, with close to 23,000 riders registering for these paths in the last 2 years.
In many cases, the dangers occur when a path or trail (whether paved, or unpaved), intersects a road, railroad crossing, or other traffic point.
When riding on a mountain bike or riding along a trail, there are a few simple rules you should follow to help ensure that you have an enjoyable trip. Please review these tips and share them with your fellow riders to make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable ride!
Trail Biking Safety Tips:
-Only ride trails that meet your skill level. Never ride on a trail that’s too advanced for you. This is going to largely determine your risks for an accident!
-Only ride on open trails. Trails can close from time to time. If you’re ever uncertain of a trail’s status, ask a land manager. Avoid the risks and do not trespass on private land.
-Don’t leave a trace. Be aware of the dirt you’re riding on. If the trails are muddy and wet, you might want to give up on biking that day. These conditions also make it more dangerous for you to ride!
-Keep your bicycle under control. Inattention can put you and the cyclists around you in danger. Make sure you’re riding a bicycle that you’re familiar with and one that meets your skill level.
-Yield when necessary. Let your fellow bikers know when you’re coming. Try to anticipate other riders as you ride around corners. Make yourself as visible as possible!
-Always plan ahead. Know your equipment. Know where you’re riding. Know your schedule. Know what to do in the event of a weather change or an emergency.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 for a free initial consultation.
Additional Resources:
Injured mountain biker seeks to collect from county, by Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel
More Blog Entries:
Bicycling Safety in South Florida – Good Luck with That!, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, September 30, 2012
Broward Cycling Safety: New Campaign Working to Protect Riders, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, August 15, 2012