With more than 10 million COVID-19 cases on record, Americans continue to seek solace in simple activities they can enjoy while physically distancing – and one of these is biking.
The ongoing bicycling boom has brought both seasoned and neophyte cyclists into the streets, which has also led to an unwelcome spike: the number of bike accidents. And while experienced cyclists are well aware of the perils of biking and trained to avoid accidents, the sudden flood of inexperienced cyclists has led to more bike collision incidents.
Bicycling accidents in the U.S. and California
Even before COVID-19, bicycling fatality statistics had been increasing. In October 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shared a report summarizing key statistics regarding fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2018. Among its major findings is that although most vehicle occupant fatalities decreased from 2017, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths increased.
Based on the report, the number of cyclist deaths increased by 6.3 percent from 2017 to 2018, even as the total motor vehicle accident deaths decreased by 2.4 percent within the same period. The cyclist fatalities in 2018 totaling 857 is the highest in nearly 30 years, since the time 859 cyclist deaths were reported in 1990.
In California, bicycle fatalities increased by 6.89 percent, from 145 deaths reported in 2017 to 155 in 2018.
As California and the rest of the country attempt to balance the need to spur economic activity to a certain extent and ensure the safety and health of residents, more vehicles, bicycles included, are now back on the streets.
The closure of gyms and recreation centers has also encouraged more youth to engage in what are considered to be safer forms of physical activity. This has fueled the demand for more bicycles and appropriate facilities to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists.
However, not all places, counties, or neighborhoods have substantial bike lanes to accommodate the surging number of cyclists. This has driven cyclists to use highways and undifferentiated streets as well, thereby increasing their risk of injury.
Aside from injuries and deaths arising from crashes between bicycles and other vehicles, bike-on-bike collisions have also been reported. Even these types of accidents can be dangerous without the appropriate protective gear. In fact, some accidents involving fellow cyclists have resulted in fatalities.
Common types of cycling injuries
Riding a bike is a relaxing, enjoyable, challenging, and physically exhilarating activity. Whether you do it for exercise, transportation, or both, cycling is a healthy activity that helps to improve fitness and endurance.
However, the problem with cycling, especially in undifferentiated roads and highways, is that it exposes you to the dangers of crashing into motor vehicles or objects that can lead to terrible injuries, excruciating pain, and even death.
Since most bicycle accidents involve cyclists crashing into larger vehicles like cars, motorbikes, and trucks, the injuries sustained by cyclists can be serious, debilitating, and emotionally scarring.
Below is a list of the most common injuries arising from cycling accidents:
1. Head trauma injury
The nature of cycling and the normal position required to ride a bike sets up cyclists for different types of head injuries. These injuries may come in the form of damage to the skull, scalp, or brain due to trauma. Of course, cyclists are required to wear the necessary protective gear, including helmets. However, helmets cannot provide adequate protection, especially in the worst collisions that lead to the helmet cracking or getting thrown off.
When this happens, head injuries tend to be severe, particularly if the cyclist incurs a head fracture, contusion, concussion, or intracranial bleeding. Some have suffered from brain injury that leads to memory problems, confusion, and cognitive issues.
2. Traumatic amputation or mutilation
Bicycle accidents can lead to loss of nails, fingers, toes, or other body parts. Most of these amputations are more or less permanent and may require surgery, therapy, and training to compensate for the lost limb or body part.
3. Facial injury and trauma
Since head injuries are common among cyclists, it follows that cycling accidents can lead to injuries on the face or facial soft tissues. These include maxillofacial trauma, facial bone fractures, and other forms of damage to soft tissues.
The eyes are particularly susceptible to injury as they are the most sensitive organs of the body. So, even if you don’t think you sustained any eye injury from an accident, make sure to get your eyes checked immediately after the collision.
4. Skin and soft tissue injuries
You can suffer from cuts, lacerations, and bruises after a cycling accident. If your bicycle hits a moving vehicle such as a car, for example, it can lead you to lose control and balance, thereby causing you to fall or skid on the surface. When this happens, the dragging force can lead to soft tissue damage.
5. Bone fractures
Cyclists are advised to wear protective gear, which typically includes elbow and knee padding, as well as body armor for injury protection. However, even these cannot protect you if you figure in a major traffic collision. Such accidents can cause fractures to the jaw, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, clavicles, hips, etc. You may be required to undergo surgery and therapy for rehabilitation and proper recovery.
6. Abdominal and chest injuries
Most abdominal and chest injuries involving the ribs cause damage to vital organs, such as the lungs, heart, and pancreas. These areas tend to get hit because of the force of impact, which can then lead to breathing difficulties and require surgery.
7. Musculoskeletal injury
Again, due to inadequate protective gear and depending on the severity of the crash, you can experience various types of injuries to the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. You can suffer from fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocated joints, too. The most common musculoskeletal injuries involve the wrist and elbow as people instinctively use these parts to balance or shield the body from impact.
8. Dental injuries
When the maxilla features or the jaws are hit, broken, or cracked, you can lose or chip your teeth in the process and experience other dental issues.
9. Psychological trauma
The emotional scar brought on by a serious cycling accident can last forever, which is why some cyclists find it difficult to go back to riding a bike even if they are physically able.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common form of emotional damage experienced by cyclists after bicycle accidents. If the accident is serious or fatal, they can experience sleeping problems, insomnia, guilt, mental anguish, anxiety, nightmares, etc.
If you experience these problems, you’ll need to undergo counseling and may need therapy as well as medication depending on the severity of your case.
10. Fatalities
Although bicycles generally do not pose a major physical threat to other vehicles, injuries that can arise from cycling accidents can lead to severe tissue damage and untimely death. Some cyclists end up comatose and eventually expire, possibly causing their loved ones to experience trauma and long-term financial troubles.
The Most Dangerous States For Cyclists In The United States
In the U.S., a report revealed that the top 20 most dangerous cities for cyclists are as follows:
No. 1: Cape Coral, Florida
Number of bike commuters: 75
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 4
No. 2: Abilene, Texas
Number of bike commuters: 112
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 5
No. 3: San Bernardino, California
Number of bike commuters: 303
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 7
No. 4: Dayton, Ohio
Number of bike commuters: 218
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 4
No. 5: Pompano Beach, Florida
Number of bike commuters: 420
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 7
No. 6: Chula Vista, California
Number of bike commuters: 349
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 5
No. 7: Stockton, California
Number of bike commuters: 688
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 9
No. 8: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Number of bike commuters: 627
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 8
No. 9: Memphis, Tennessee
Number of bike commuters: 567
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 7
No. 10: Lakeland, Florida
Number of bike commuters: 335
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 4
No. 11: Bakersfield, California
Number of bike commuters: 768
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 9
No. 12: Charlotte, North Carolina
Number of bike commuters: 843
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 9
No. 13: Arlington, Texas
Number of bike commuters: 382
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 4
No. 14: Lafayette, Louisiana
Number of bike commuters: 696
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 7
No. 15: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Number of bike commuters: 601
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 6
No. 16: San Antonio, Texas
Number of bike commuters: 1,340
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 13
No. 17: Modesto, California
Number of bike commuters: 419
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 4
No. 18: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Number of bike commuters: 1,225
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 10
No. 19: Phoenix, Arizona
Number of bike commuters: 5,090
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 41
No. 20: Miami, Florida
Number of bike commuters: 2,073
Total bike fatalities in the last four years: 16
Among all the cities in the country, San Francisco is considered the best place for cyclists, having high road safety and accessibility throughout its many neighborhoods. However, no matter how safe a city is, the need to observe and enforce safe bicycling practices remains.
Tips For Safer Bicycling In California
As more people embark on a cycling regimen for exercise, leisure, and even for their daily commute, it is now more important than ever to practice the following tips to keep the roads and streets safe for everyone.
- Observe safety measures. Put on a helmet. Wearing a helmet doesn’t protect you 100 percent from accidents, but it’s one safety measure you shouldn’t omit. Invest in protective gear such as vests that use air bag technology, rear view mirrors, reflector lights (front and rear lights), etc. Always bring a patch kit for your tires. Don’t rush. Look out for any loose gravel, liquid, puddles, sharp objects, ice, and other road hazards. Slowing down can help you survey a road better and ensure your safety and that of others’ behind you.
- Be alert and trust your eyes. Even with all the required safety gear, you always need to be on the alert, and use your sight to check your surroundings wherever you are. Learn how to ride defensively and be on the alert for the behavior of other drivers.
- Be aware of and follow all traffic rules. Whether you’re riding intra- or interstate, make sure you know the state traffic rules and regulations and follow them. Be aware when the traffic light is about to turn red and be on the lookout for red-light-runners before proceeding. Always slow down before a railroad track and cross with caution. Use proper hand signals that all drivers understand, not just cyclists. Observe road courtesy and ride cautiously. Stay on the safest side of the road – which means the right side of the road for cyclists.
- Ensure you are visible. Wearing bright colored, reflective or fluorescent clothing is essential for your and other people’s safety. It’ll keep you visible any time of the day, especially at night and during low-visibility conditions.
- Monitor the weather. Knowing whether there’s a chance of rain, fog, or snow ensures you bring the required gear to handle weather challenges.
- Put on sun protection. Wear the appropriate eye wear to keep the glare out and see the road ahead. Keep yourself safe from harmful UV radiation by layering on some sunscreen and wearing breathable, protective cycling clothes.
- Have a cycling partner. Physical distancing guidelines discourage riding in sizeable groups. However, having a riding buddy or cycling as a small group helps to improve your visibility to other drivers. This means that they can’t help but notice you and others in your group, so cycling with others helps to ensure your safety on the road.
- Choose your routes wisely. There may be times when you would want or need to venture out into highways. However, exercise extreme caution. Whenever possible, choose roads that are wide, low-traffic, or have dedicated bike lanes for safety. Also, try to time your cycling activities when there are fewer people out, or limit your cycling to less crowded places.
- Bring your cellphone, some cash, and ID. Always carry proper identification, some cash, and your cellphone for emergencies or for communicating with your cycling buddies in case you get separated or lost.
- Hydrate. Water is essential for any aerobic activity you’ll be doing outside. It is especially important if you’re going trail riding or for longer rides.
But in case you get involved in a cycling collision even after observing all these cycling safety tips and you need to pursue a bike accident claim, please don’t hesitate to come to us.
Contact Quirk Reed to get the legal assistance you need from leading experts in bike accidents.