More accidents

Although statistics aren’t available on the exact number of bicycle accidents that have occurred in 2008, an MSNBC article reports that the number of accidents has increased throughout the nation. However, it’s not just the greater volume of bikes on the road that causing problems. According to the article, “The problem is that so many new riders create road hazards because they don’t know the rules. Too often, inexperienced riders take traffic signs as suggestions, not commands…. New riders also aren’t fully prepared for the inconveniences they can face — the worst one, experienced riders say, being drivers who also don’t know the rules or are too frustrated to observe them.”

Scooter and motorcycle use also increases

Bicycle use isn’t the only form of cheaper transportation that’s increased. Scooter and motorcycle use has also increased. According to CNN, the demand for scooters alone has increased by over 100% in the past few months. However, you don’t really need statistics to prove that – drivers in most cities simply need to look around them.

Unfortunately, the lack of protection on a scooter, motorcycle or bicycle can cause problems of its own. Claude Wyle, a California attorney who has been practicing motorcycle law, and riding, for 25 years, says that the unique issue that riders face is that if they get knocked off their bike, they get hurt a lot worse than if they were in a car and had a fender bender. He explained:

You can have two cars come together, they can slam, get dented metal and torn plastic and you might even get some soft tissue injuries. If [someone on a bike] is hit at the same speed, they’re going to fall off their bike and something’s going to get hurt. It’s pretty rare that a [biker] gets knocked off their bike and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of bike accident, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of law. For a free consultation with an attorney near you, click here.