Jonesboro Personal Injury Lawyer - Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle Safety Tips and Resources to Avoid Serious Injury

Margaret Embry — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:55:30 GMT

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

In 2007, 698 pedalcyclists were killed and an additional 44,000 were injured in traffic crashes. Pedalcyclist deaths accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities, and pedalcyclists made up 2 percent of all the people injured in traffic crashes during the year.

Pedalcyclist fatalities occurred more frequently in urban areas (72%), at non-intersection locations (64%), between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m. (26%), and during the months of June (11%) and September (11%).

In order to avoid serious injury or death while riding a bicycle, it is important to take a look at safety guidelines for cycling. The NHTSA provides educational information on how to bike safely, called the 10 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, is also a great resource for learning more about bicycle safety.

The PBIC also has a Bikeability Checklist on their website which allows a biker to evaluate their neighborhood's bikeability. In addition to the questions, the Checklist provides both immediate answers and long-term solutions to a neighborhood's potential problems.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Margaret Embry

Wearing a Bicycle Helmet May Save Your Life if You are in a Bicycle Accident

Paul Ford — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:06:19 GMT

I have been an avid cyclist for years and look forward to Daylight Savings time so that the days are longer and I can get in a bike ride after work. Already this year I have seen many others heading out for a ride in the afternoon now that we have had a few warm days as well. Yet sadly, I notice many are not wearing a helmet.

Having had numerous crashes, I know well how important it is to wear a helmet. Over 10 years ago I had a bad wreck that broke my collarbone and wrist. And that was after I broke my fall with my head. But for my helmet, I have no doubt that I would have been killed.

"It is so important that everyone who rides a bicycle wears a helmet," said Sara Snelling, a physical therapist at HealthSouth Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital. "The risk of brain injury from a bicycle accident could be reduced by almost 90 percent if a helmet is worn."

The next great mistake that is made is by cyclist who think they are too experienced to wear a helmet. I myself made that mistake one day. I missed being hit by a car at highway speeds by less than 100 feet. I have worn one everytime since. And don't think it cannot happen to you. The infamous Lance Armstrong was recently involved in a wreck. No one cam claim more expereience than that!

Armstrong reportedly remains hospitalized in Spain following a crash this morning. The seven-time Tour de France champ was participating in his first professional race on European soil since winning his last yellow jersey when he got caught up in a massive pile-up involving dozens of other riders.

Reports say Armstrong went down about 12.5 miles from the finish line during the first stage of the 5-day race. Sources say the star athlete broke his collarbone. Some reports say the father of three young children (and one more on the way) appeared to be in considerable pain as he was rushed by ambulance to the Rio Carrion hospital in Palencia. Other reports say Armstrong has withdrawn from the race and will be flying back to the United States to seek advanced medical care

So when you head out on your bike for a little exercise, wear that helmet. It may just save your life. And after you follow safety tip #1, make sure you obey all safety and traffic laws.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Ford

How to Exercise Safely and Avoid Bicycle Accidents

Paul Ford — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:13:13 GMT

This past summer saw two tragic incidents invloving pedestrians/cyclists and automobiles. To make matters worse, both tragedies could have been avoided by the pedestrian/cyclist taking appropriate measures for their own safety. Having been an avid cyclist for nearly 20 years, as well as completing two Ironman competitions, I understand the safety issues involved and hope to share some insight to avoid yet another tragedy.

Always obey the traffic laws when riding your bike. The law in Arkansas treats cyclists and motorists the same. Cyclist must obey all traffic signals/signs and yeild the right of way just as if they were driving their car. If riding before or near sunrise/sunset, you should always have a flashing red light. You can get one at any bike shop and they are inexpensive. One of the tragedies I spoke of involved a cyclist riding on a busy highway near major factories right before sunrise. He was not using a light of any kind and was hit by a truck. It nearly cost him his life. A simple plan could have prevented this.

1. Get a headlight. If you're riding at night, you should absolutely use a front headlight. It's required by law, anyway. Even for daytime riding, a bright white light that has a flashing mode can make you more visible to motorists who might otherwise Right Cross you. Look for the new LED headlights which last ten times as long on a set of batteries as old-style lights. And helmet- or head-mounted lights are the best, because then you can look directly at the driver to make sure they see your light.

A second recommendation is to avoid major highways, particularly during heavy traffic times. If you must use a major highway, use the shoulder of the road. If there is not a shoulder, simply avoid the highway....period. And above all, use a flashing red light.

The second tragedy did result in the death of an experienced runner who was struck by a car. Sad to say, but this could have been avoided by simply following a couple of simple rules. When running, and/or walking, the runner should go against traffic....or in other words, in the opposite direction. This allows you to see oncoming traffic. And if it appears that they don't see you, be prepared to simply take a step or two to the left to get out of the way. And this method is only necessary if there is no sidewalk available. By all means, if a sidewalk is available, use it!

To conclude, use common sense safety. Use a light. Use the sidewalk. Choose the route and time of day you excercise taking into consideration the amount of traffic and available lighting, whether by sunlight or artificial light. In the early morning or in the evening, consider the impact of the rising or setting sun on the driver's ability to see. For example, don't ride directly into the rising sun as a driver may be blinded by the sun and not see you on the road. And last but not least, when on your bike, wear a helmet.....More on that subject to come!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Ford