Warmer Weather Can Bring More Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents
Bucks County is a beautiful place to live, bike, and motorcycle. As the weather improves, residents are getting back on two wheels, and many people from outside the county spend their leisure time exploring the area on bicycles and motorcycles. When there are vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles sharing narrow Bucks County roads while people are enjoying the scenery, accidents can happen.
Obviously, motorcyclists and bicyclists don’t have the protection of a vehicle around them in the event of an accident. Depending on the circumstances, they can suffer severe and fatal injuries. Broken bones, internal organ injuries, and spinal injuries are all possible. Helmets may prevent head injuries, but the force of striking an object may cause injury to the neck, back and other parts of the body.
Bicyclists and Motorcyclists Have Common Risks
Riding a bicycle and riding a motorcycle are very different, but both have common risks. A bicycle may weigh 20 to 30 pounds, while a full-dress Harley Davidson motorcycle may be more than 900 pounds. A bicyclist may sprint at 20 miles an hour. Some motorcycles can go well more than a hundred. The two share common dangers that arise from other vehicle drivers on the road:
- Left-turn crashes: The driver doesn’t notice or misjudges an oncoming motorcycle or bicycle and turns left into its path. The rider is often thrown from the bicycle or motorcycle, hitting the vehicle, maybe an object like a telephone pole or guardrail then lands on the pavement. The worst-case scenario is the rider also being run over or struck by another vehicle.
- Dooring: The driver parks the vehicle on the side of the road and without looking back, opens the door. The rider is either too close to avoid contact, or is so close that sharp, evasive maneuvers cause the rider to lose balance and hit the pavement.
Bicycle Accidents Are Often Caused By Vehicles That Dangerously Pass Riders
A hazard more common with bicyclists is an “overtake” crash. Bicyclists, unless they’re taking a left turn, should be on the far right of the road, riding with traffic. By Pennsylvania law drivers of motor vehicles should give bicyclists enough room when they pass. When this rule is not followed, it increases risk that a driver may, among other things:
- Rear-end the bicycle and rider.
- Inflict a glancing blow, knocking the rider off the bike.
- Force the rider, who sees the vehicle coming, to engage in a dangerous maneuver to get out of its way. This could cause a crash into an object, into another vehicle, or a dangerous fall off the bike.
If You’re Injured in an Accident, Get the Legal Help You Need From an Attorney You Can Trust
If you are injured because of the negligence of another driver, you may need to bring a lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries and harm caused by the accident.
Some examples of negligence in a motor vehicle accident include:
- Unlawful turns
- Careless lane changes
- Tailgating
- Excessive speeding
- Electronic device use
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
After a serious accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you through legal options and helping recover the compensation you are entitled to receive.
If you need an experienced attorney you can trust to guide you through an auto accident or personal injury matter, Attorney Newman is ready to help. Contact The Law Office of Neal E. Newman, Esquire today to schedule a consultation. Call 215-355-7260 or 267-566-0173 or fill out our contact form.