Accidents involving a bicycle and a vehicle often lead to traumatic injuries—especially for the bicyclist, who doesn’t have nearly as much protection as the motorist. Anyone who rides a bicycle should learn about how these accidents occur so they know how to protect themselves on the road. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of bike accidents:
Collisions At Stop Signs
Many bicycle accidents occur when both a bicyclist and a motorist are trying to pass through an intersection. The motorist often has a stop sign at the intersection, giving he bicyclist the right-of-way. In this case, the motorist would likely be at fault for the accident. But, if the bicyclist had a stop sign and the motorist did not, the bicyclist could be to blame in the event of an accident.
“The Right Hook”
Another common type of bicycle accident is referred to as “the right hook.” This occurs when a motorist passes a bicyclist that is traveling on the right side of the vehicle. Soon after passing the bike, the motorist makes a right turn while either forgetting the bicyclist is there or assuming that he is far behind his vehicle. If the bicyclist is still traveling alongside the vehicle, this could lead to a dangerous collision.
Open Door Accidents
People who are sitting in parked cars must look to see if the coast is clear before opening their car door. Why? Bicyclists don’t have time to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision if someone opens a car door right in front of them. As a result, failing to check for oncoming traffic before opening a car door could seriously injure a bicyclist.
Rear End Accidents
Rear end accidents occur when a vehicle collides with a bicyclist from behind. Although these accidents can occur at any time, many of them occur when it is dark outside since bicyclists are far less visible after the sun sets. To prevent these accidents, bicyclists should always wear reflective gear and put lights on their bicycle so other drivers do not have trouble seeing them on the road.
Have you been injured in a bicycle accident? If so, contact Reisch Law Firm today. Our personal injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to hold the negligent driver responsible for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
