This year has not been a good one for cyclists in Kansas. At least seven people have been killed so far in 2014 while riding their bicycles on Kansas roads. The causes of the fatal accidents have been varied – one cyclist was hit by a train, another died from a medical condition, and five were struck by vehicles. Of the cyclists who were hit by vehicles in accidents where details have been made available regarding crash details, one was hit by a drunk driver, one was involved in a head-on collision with a motorist who was passing illegally, and two were hit by vehicles that were approaching them from behind.
Accidents involving cyclists often involve serious injuries or death. While bicycle helmets do prevent injuries that a cyclist would sustain during a fall, they are often not enough to prevent injury or death in a collision involving a motor vehicle. Since cyclists and motorists share the roads, it is important that they take precautions to do so safely.
The most important thing that drivers can do to avoid collisions with cyclists is to be aware of their surroundings. Driving within the speed limit enables drivers to have time to see what is around them, and to avoid collisions. Avoiding cell phone use and other distractions shifts a driver’s focus from what is going on inside their vehicle to what is happening around it. If you come upon a cyclist who is riding on your side of the road and you wish to pass them, be sure to pass slowly and give them at least three feet of space as you go by.
When cyclists take steps to make themselves visible, they increase the likelihood that motorists will see them. Cyclists can increase their visibility by wearing brightly colored clothing during both daytime and evening hours. If you ride after dark, mount lights on the front and rear of your bike so that motorists can more easily see you. There are also rear view mirrors, which can be mounted on your handlebars or on your glasses. Using these mirrors can help you to see vehicles that are approaching you from behind. If you are riding with a group, it is important to ride single file, for your safety. Always wear a bicycle helmet, in order to reduce the risk of injury from a fall, and to increase your chance of survival in a collision.
If you were injured or someone that you live was killed as the result of an accident involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle, it is essential that you speak with an attorney right away so that your rights can be protected. A Kansas Personal Injury Attorney can help you with every step of the recovery process, so that you can focus on healing. Your attorney will deal with communicating with the insurance company, and they will help you to analyze any settlement offers that are proposed. To learn more about how a Kansas Personal Injury Attorney can help you to obtain the settlement that you deserve, please call our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.
