Fatal bicycle accidents are on the rise, according to statistics cited in a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
Research shows that 818 bicyclists died in 2015, a 12.2 percent increase compared to 2014. This was the largest year-over-year increase among all roadway user groups. Warm-weather states like California, Florida and Texas accounted for 40 percent of bicyclist deaths in 2015.
In the report, titled A Right to the Road: Understanding & Addressing Bicyclist Safety, researchers analyzed bicycle crash statistics to identify when and where crashes are occurring along with characteristics of the victims.
Researchers discovered many notable statistics from 2015 fatal crash data:
The report notes that a common factor in many fatal crashes is that the cyclist expected a driver to yield the right-of-way, and he or she is unable to avoid a crash when the car driver does not stop or yield. This demonstrates that drivers and bicyclists alike need to pay careful attention to their surroundings whenever they are out on the road.
The GHSA report also provides 30 recommendations on how states can reduce bicycle fatalities on American roadways. Some of these recommendations include:
While these recommendations are aimed at the authorities, there are several practical steps you can take when biking in Sacramento to help reduce your risk of a fatal accident, including:
Sadly, many fatal bicycle accidents are caused by driver negligence and could have been prevented. In these situations, loved ones of the victim may be entitled to compensation for the damages they have suffered.
The Sacramento auto accident lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm represent those who lost loved ones in fatal bicycle accidents. If this is your situation, contact a Sacramento personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis so we do not get paid unless there is a favorable resolution of your claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss potential legal options, by calling (916) 777-7777 .