Bicycle accidents are a very common form of injury in the United States. They have been on the rise for decades and show no sign of plateauing anytime soon. In fact, cycling is currently one of the most dangerous sports or activities that an individual can participate in, especially if they are not wearing a helmet. Despite this high-risk factor, bicycles remain popular, and it doesn’t appear that they will ever be going out of style any time soon. Most Americans own bikes of some kind, and these numbers are increasing every day.

There are a number of different ways that accidents can take place. Whether an individual is hit by a car or is injured as a result of a collision, the effects and costs associated with this type of incident can be very high, especially if surgery is necessary. The higher the injury, the greater the likelihood that someone will be left with long-term health problems due to damage to internal organs.

What Can Cause a Bicycle Accident?

Bicycle accidents may be attributed to many different factors, but there are some statistics that center around the most common causes. First of all, it is important to note that the majority of all accidents involve non-bicyclists who crash their cars into the bike or otherwise cause some kind of accident to occur. These collisions are usually caused by inattentive drivers who may not be paying attention or who may not realize that a cyclist is present on the road. There are also certain sections of the country where incidents tend to happen quite frequently, and they tend to be higher in areas where there are fewer cyclists.

As far as the types of bicycle accidents go, the majority of these incidents occur when the cyclist is traveling at low speeds and hits an object in the road, such as a pothole or manhole cover. These crashes are usually not severe, but they can lead to serious injuries if the individual hits their head on the ground or pavement.

Statistics for Bicycle Accidents

There are a number of different statistics that are associated with bicycle accidents. Some of these pertain to the number of bicycles that are sold each year, while others show us how many people are injured and even killed as a result of a crash. A number of studies have been done to determine the rate of accidents and how they relate to several different factors. These include the type of surface that those accidents happen on, the cyclist’s speed and how they were traveling, and of course, the age and experience level of the cyclist.

There is a strong correlation between bicycle accidents and the level of traffic that someone is traveling through. The higher the traffic, the more likely that cyclists will be involved in a crash. According to a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), children who were hit by cars were four times more likely to be killed when they were riding their bikes on roadways with higher levels of traffic than those where there was much less traffic overall.

Should I Wear a Helmet?

In addition to the level of traffic and the age and experience of the cyclist, there is one more factor that can greatly increase the chance that an individual will be involved in a bicycle accident. This factor is very much related to safety for both the rider and their passenger, as well as for other people on the road. It is important to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle because this increases both their protection from injury and also their chances of making it home safely if they are involved in an accident.

Safety is an important part of the decision to wear a helmet, but it is also important that they are comfortable. Many new helmets can be made with these kinds of features built right into them so that they are easier to use while on the road and also appear more stylish at the same time. In many states, bicycle helmets are required by law for cyclists who want to ride their bikes on public roadways.

How Can I Decrease My Risk of Crashes?

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and you are suffering from an injury or other medical problem due to the impact of the ground, it is very important that you see a medical professional. Even if you are not sure who caused the accident, you may want to speak with an attorney about your rights after the event. This can help to protect your rights and also help to ensure that you receive the medical treatment needed during recovery. An accident is often one of the most frightening situations that a person can be in, but it doesn’t have to be the end of their life. There are things that they can do to help them overcome this event and move on with their lives.

Conclusion

The number of bicycle accidents continues to rise each year, and there are a number of reasons why this happens. Many drivers are distracted and may not notice the presence of an individual on the road. There are also a number of other ways that these accidents can take place. Whether or not you have been involved in a bicycle accident, it is important that you seek medical assistance right away if you need it in order to be healthy and live the best life possible now and in the future.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, refer to this link to set up a consultation with an accident attorney that understands the laws relating to personal injuries.