Preventing Cycling Accidents

More than half a million cycle riders in UK suffer from cycling accidents every year that require visits to hospital and around 15% of them go with injuries in the head.

Types of accidents involving cycles:

Falls: More than 50% cycle crashes are the results of common falls and collisions that commonly take place when the front wheel of the cycle suddenly stops to move when it falls into a defect on the road such as a drain grate or a crack or the rider applies the front brakes very hard, or when the back wheel slides out while turning on sand, gravel, ice or a metal or a slippery surface. After falling, the rider hits into some other stationary objects like trees or buildings that account about 75-80% of the cycling accidents. Car-cycle crash: Most of such accidents take place when either the motorist or the cyclist is crossing or turning at a driveway or an intersection. Cycle injuries are most common to limbs and include abrasions, lacerations and fractures. Other injuries may include facial injuries, brain injuries and disabling injuries.

Some safety tips helpful in preventing cycling accidents:

• The rider should wear a helmet every time while riding on the cycle, even for the shortest trip. Unsurprisingly, helmets are able to protect head injuries including upper facial injuries and brain injuries. According to the studies, 75% of the bicyclists who got severely injured in the head were not wearing their helmets. In order to provide advanced protection, make sure that the helmet is fitting correctly.
• The rider must use reflective gear or wear bright coloured clothes even in the day time.
• Check for traffic before entering any intersection, street or while crossing a driveway.
• Always remember to ring the bell or call out while passing other people on the road who may not be aware that you are behind them.
• Always ride on the right hand side of the road, remember to stop at red lights and stop signs and use headlight during night.
• Do not stop at a car’s blind spot at the red light, because you can get hit if the car turns right.
• Use mirror for viewing the traffic behind especially while approaching the intersections.
• Avoid riding on the side-walks.
• Avoid going on the busy streets especially if you are a novice rider.

Even if you are following all the rules and tips for preventing cycling accident and you get hit by a car because of none of your fault, you have all the legal and civil right to claim for compensation, for which an experienced lawyer will be a great help.