When it comes to Florida, the state’s weather is perfect for a bicycle ride. While these rides can be fun, they can also lead to serious accidents if people aren’t being careful. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of an intense bicycle accident is by looking out for the major causes of them, as provided by the bicycle accident attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Law Firm. These causes can range from minor circumstances to serious accidents that can leave victims with serious injuries. By looking out for these, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can have a safe bicycle ride.
Distracted Driving: A Growing Concern
One significant contributor to bicycle accidents in Florida is distracted driving. When drivers divert their attention to phones, passengers, or other distractions, they often overlook cyclists sharing the road. Even a moment of inattention can lead to a collision, resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. This stops them from having a good reaction time in case there’s a bicyclist on the road. It’s important for drivers to be aware of these issues and to put distracting objects away when they are behind the wheel.
Failure to Yield: Sharing the Road Responsibly
Another common cause of bicycle accidents is the failure to yield the right of way. While cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles, not all drivers afford them the space and respect they deserve. It’s easy for drivers to act like they have more of the rights and will try to beat the cyclists. Failure to follow these rules can lead to serious injuries that need to be stated. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and respect the laws of the road to avoid these issues from happening.
Speeding: Putting the Brakes on Accidents
Speeding remains a significant factor in bicycle accidents across Florida. These speed limits are set up for a reason. If drivers aren’t going to follow them then there could be serious risks. When drivers exceed speed limits or travel too fast for road conditions, their ability to react to cyclists diminishes, leading to high-speed collisions and severe injuries. While cyclists need to follow the rules of the road, so do other vehicles. These signs need to be made obvious so drivers are aware of how fast they’re going to keep everyone around them safe.
Impaired Driving: A Threat to Cyclists
Impaired driving, fueled by alcohol or drugs, poses a serious risk to cyclists in Florida. This is because drivers can’t drive normally under the influence. Making it harder for them to discern when to stop before it’s too late. Implementing strict enforcement of sober driving can help lessen these issues and keep cyclists safe. Drivers need to stay aware while driving to stop these accidents from getting worse.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Navigating Challenges
Poor infrastructure and insufficient cycling facilities also contribute to bicycle accidents in Florida. There are times when cyclists can’t safely ride on the sidewalk because it isn’t maintained properly. If they are riding on the road, the designated bike lines might be too narrow for them to safely ride. This causes them to possibly collide with cars on the road. Creating big enough bike lanes not only helps cyclists when they are on the road but also keeps drivers from getting too close. Minimizing the chance of accidents and allowing everyone to get home safely.
The major causes of bicycle accidents can come down to poor maintenance and drivers not following the rules. Cyclists deserve to ride safely so these issues must start to be taken care of. If you have been a victim of a bicycle accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, then it’s in your best interest to seek out legal representation. A trusted personal injury attorney can review your case and make sure you receive the compensation you need to recover. You have a right to fight for yourself and make sure you’re covered if you are a victim of a bicycle accident.
