The warm climate that Florida has to offer makes it a perfect state for bike riding. Depending on the neighborhood that you live in or the area you are interested in traveling in, riding a bike is typically a safe activity. Though some communities have more bicyclists than others, a bicycle accident can occur in any city or town throughout Florida. When a bicyclist has an accident in Florida, it either occurs when a rider encounters some type of hazard and falls from their bicycle or the rider is hit by a motor vehicle. In both situations, there can be extensive injuries, but the most destruction occurs when a car is involved.
If a reckless party hit you while you were riding your bicycle you should retain the services of an Orlando personal injury attorney at the Vaughan Law Group for help with your personal injury claim. A bicycle crashing with a car in Orlando can lead to scrapes and cuts, bruises, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and even death. While there are actions that bicyclists can take to reduce their risk for a serious accident, there is no way to completely protect oneself from them.
Avoiding a Bicycle Crash in Florida
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are some basics for bicyclists that can make all of the difference when it comes to enhancing a safe bicycle riding experience:
- Avoid riding your bike as the sun starts to go down which is generally between the time of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is also the time that workers are leaving their jobs or night workers are going to their place of employment and the roads can be very busy. With little visibility and people generally being more tired in the evening, staying off of the road as the sun goes down decreases the chance that a driver will miss seeing you and cause you harm.
- Avoid very busy roads that are often found in urban areas and travel on less crowded roads in more rural areas. The majority of deaths from bicycle accidents take place in urban areas and these locations account for 75% of the deadly incidents that are reported every year.
- Ride sober because being intoxicated on a bicycle impairs your judgment and ability to safely operate your bike the same way it does when you drive a car. The NHTSA says that 37% of deadly bicycle crashes were related to alcohol consumption.
- Use reflectors on your bike so that others can see you more clearly. Also wearing reflective and brightly colored gear also helps you stand out.
Speak with an Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Today
These methods may be able to play a part in minimizing the risk for a Florida bicycle accident but should one happen, call the Vaughan Law Group to schedule a free consultation with the effective and strategic Orlando personal injury attorneys at (407) 648-1426. The Vaughan Law Group works on a contingency basis so you never pay a dime unless your case is won.
