Bicycle riding, also known as cycling, is a great, low-impact sport. Each day, hundreds of Floridians engage in bicycle riding, either to and from school, work, the park, or just for exercise.
While cycling is both fun and exhilarating, cyclists need to be careful, especially when they share the roads with motorists. Bicycle riders need to pay special attention to road signs and traffic patterns, and be aware of the dangers on our Florida roadways.
The Statistics
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), statistics estimate there were over 1,000 bicyclist deaths in 2015. In addition, the same source states there were nearly 467,000 bicycle-related injuries that year.[1] While these statistics are for the entire country, it’s disturbing, but important to note that Florida leads the nation with the highest number of bicycle fatalities of any state.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) website[2], “bicyclists accounted for 2 percent of all traffic deaths and 2 percent of all crash-related injuries in 2014. Bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (20%) and in urban areas (71%).” In addition, the NHTSA indicates that most of bicyclists killed were male and over 20% of them had an illegal level of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – over the limit for riding or driving.[3]
It’s clear that bicyclists face safety concerns each time they’re out on the road. But bicyclists can take measures to help protect themselves. What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones when riding your bicycle on the roads of South Florida? Click here to read about cycling safety.
Sometimes, there is a misconception that the bicyclist is to blame in bicycle – vehicle crashes, but statistics show that motorists are cited in many of these incidents.
Handling a bicycle accident case requires knowledge of traffic patterns, right-of-way laws, as well as city and state bicycling and vehicle regulations. We have experienced attorneys who have handled both bicycle and motor vehicle accidents along with nearly 3 decades of serving the state of Florida in all types of personal injury claims.
Questions about bicycle safety, motorists, and the law? Contact us at (954) 428-9333 or www.goldmandszkal.com.
Ready to hit the road? Follow the safety tips here, get outside, and enjoy the ride.
Since 1990, Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. has provided reputable legal representation to people throughout the state of Florida. The firm has helped thousands of individuals recover compensation from motor vehicle and boating accidents, slip and fall accidents, product defect and liability cases, pharmacy errors, and negligent security cases to cover medical expenses, pay bills, take care of their families, and return to work. Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. can help you get the relief you need to start living your life again after a serious injury. For a free and confidential consultation, contact Goldman & Daszkal, P.A., at (954) 428-9333.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/bicycle/
[2] https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists
[3] https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists