Broward Injury Lawyer Blog
Bicyclists are likely not at fault in most accidents, according to The Guardian.
Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorneys understand that many are quick to point the finger at bicyclists for traffic accidents. Many say they’re taking over our roadways with little concern for the traffic around them. But that’s not the case according to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).
The study concluded that the dangerous behavior of drivers is more than likely the reason for spike in the number of bicyclist fatalities. Other studies have tried to point the finger at bicyclists, saying accidents are oftentimes their fault.
The truth of the matter is that bicyclists were only at fault in about 2 percent of serious injury accidents. Only in this 2 percent were they blamed for running stop signs or disobeying traffic lights. Another 3 percent of these accidents were blamed on riders who were wearing too dark of clothing which caused them to be overlooked by passing motorists. Another 2 percent was blamed on bicyclists failing to use lights. The rest were not caused by the cyclist.
In cases where a bicyclist was killed, the accident was blamed on them more often. This may be because only the driver’s side of the story was available.
When talking about adult bicyclists, drivers were at fault for these accidents in about 70 percent of the accidents. In bicycle accidents involving children, drivers were only at fault about a quarter of the time.
This is especially important to us here in the Sunshine State because we’re continuously ranked as the worst state in the country for these kinds of accidents. Our year round sunshine is both a blessing and a curse. We don’t have to deal with snow and other wicked weather conditions, but with more people walking and biking along our streets in the tropical weather we see higher risks for accidents and ultimately more injuries and fatalities.
In the peak of snow bird and tourist season, we’re asking drivers to renew their vow to roadway safety and to remember the little guy. Keep a look out for pedestrians and bicyclists along our roadways, but especially near residential areas, schools and shopping districts.
“The main cause of crashes seems to be ‘failed to look properly’, whereas very few cyclists are injured or killed acting illegally, such as failing to use lights at night or disobeying traffic signals,” said Chris Peck, a researcher of the study.
The study adds that government officials should be focusing more no correcting drivers’ habits instead of putting their attention on the cyclists.
Travelers of all kinds, whether you’re on 2 wheels or on 4, need to be cautious and alert out there. Stay one step ahead of the traffic around you!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
More Blog Entries:
City of Fort Lauderdale Throws Party for Bicycle Safety, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, January 22, 2013
Bicyclist Fatalities on the Rise in Florida: Broward of the Worst, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, December 15, 2012
