In a lot of ways, California is known as the driving capital of America, if not the world. Where else are so many people absolutely defined by their vehicles, their routes to work, and even their carbon footprint for transportation? The state requires some of the most stringent emission requirements across the nation and is even eyeing all-electric engines for the future.
If you are a bike rider, you are already ahead of the curve when it comes to the environment and your personal responsibility for the climate. But where does this leave you in terms of your own safety on the road?
Every year in California over 10,000 bike riders are injured and over 100 are killed. And these were the people riding around, just like you, trying to reach their jobs or their loved ones at home. When bike riders are struck down, it is a relatively subtle event on the road. There is far more focus on truck and car drivers and even pedestrians than on cyclists. But it is an event that will have a huge impact on your life.
That is why we want to take a moment here and focus on the vulnerable commuters out there; those who bike. There are things to keep in mind to avoid trouble, and the resources out there to help you in the event of an accident.
Safety for Bike Riders
Respect Traffic Guidelines
Use bike lanes whenever possible, there is a wealth of them in California. If that is not an option, make sure you can follow the normal rules of traffic. You should be stopping at red lights and stop signs. Try not to be overly hesitant, but stay defensive. Cars are less likely to see you than other drivers on the road.
Stay Safe and Visible
Wearing flashing lights, reflective tape or a combination of these markings on your bicycle is a great start, especially at night. You may want to also wear a neon or light-up vest. Wearing a helmet is not required by law in California for those under 18. The best advice is to wear one anyway. Going without a helmet is a fast way to turn an accident into a fatality. Invest in a model with good coverage that has a high safety rating.
Keep your Bike Well-Maintained
It’s less obvious than when you own a car, but a bike must be kept running, oiled, and in good repair. Have your brakes tested at your first sign of any slipping, and look out for any degradation of the handlebars, especially if you rest your weight on them. For your own convenience, you may want to travel with a tire repair kit. That way you won’t find yourself stranded, especially at night.
Dealing with Accidents
If the worst does occur, and you do find yourself in an accident, make sure to seek medical attention immediately. Ask someone for help if you are unable to make a call on your own. If you are able, note any details of the other bikers or drivers and ask for any contact information from witnesses around you. You should also get in touch with a trusted attorney to go over your rights and best interests.
blogs
How Truck Accidents are Different from Car Crashes
Even though all types of auto accident are dangerous and have the potential to cause life-altering injuries, truck accidents are nearly, if not always catastrophic or fatal. Unfortunately, they’re becoming quite common. According to the Truck Safety Coalition, about 5,000 people died in truck crashes last year, marking a 46% increase in truck crash deaths […]
Car Airbag Injuries: What You Need to Know
Car airbags are designed to save lives in the event of a car crash. They are among the most innovative, auto-safety features of recent decades, and have even been proven effective in reducing driver mortality. However, even though efficient, airbags are sometimes the reason behind fatalities. We explore various airbag defects, the type of injuries […]
Commercial Truck Accidents
While it may not seem like it, there are bigger differences when dealing with a truck accident than just the size of the vehicle. Although they are well insured, companies with commercial trucks will fire back at you with a whole legal team to avoid paying out for damage, injury, or even death. This is […]
Personal Injury Claims: When Do you Need a Lawyer?
In cases where there are severe injuries, toxic exposure, or malpractice, you will need a personal injury lawyer. However, there are also instances when you don’t need a lawyer. Although you might need a lawyer to represent you in court if there are complex legal issues that need to be handled, other injury claims might […]
Personal Injury – Why You Should Never Wait
We’ve all been told to “walk it off” before. Whether it’s for a pain, injury or just not feeling well, a lot of people will be there to tell you it’s probably nothing. And while it is important to keep a positive mindset, you should also pay attention to your body and not push yourself […]
Clearing Up Workers Compensation Misconceptions
If we hear the term “workers comp,” we probably feel like we understand the basics – if you get hurt on the job, you file for workers comp, you get time off to heal and hopefully a little extra something along with your salary to make it all easier. In an ideal world, sure, it […]
Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents
Whether you’re driving in a place where the environment is a little more driver-friendly, or if you’re somewhere where the weather poses a driving hazard, you can’t go wrong having a working knowledge of how best to avoid accidents. In 2020 alone, there were nearly 36,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Those […]
Car Accident Compensation Laws in California
Every year, careless and reckless drivers cause many accidents leading to severe injuries and death countrywide. In California, car accidents are due to the state’s large population and a high number of vehicles. On numerous occasions, irresponsible drivers always get away with their mistakes. Luckily, there are compensation laws in California aimed to hold at-fault […]
The Most Unsafe Era for Pedestrians in 40 Years
Pedestrian safety is of utmost importance right now, and not just because pedestrians legally have the right of way in most places in the United States. Being asafer pedestrian is always key to avoiding injuries by being aware of ones surroundings and avoiding distractions, but as it stands, North Americans are not stemming the tide […]
Car Crashes and Pedestrians in LA
Every year, we check over grim statistics about car accidents, fatalities, damages, and injuries. We always hope that the number will go down, that we will have learned something from the previous years. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case. But that doesn’t mean that it is not worth it to try. Just knowing […]
contact form
