Bicycle accidents are one of the most common causes of death for people under the age of 18. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of bicycle accidents involve failure to yield when turning or stopping at intersections. Many factors can lead to a bicyclist being involved in an accident, such as riding on sidewalks, riding while intoxicated, failing to obey traffic laws, etc. The most common cause is not following traffic laws.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and injured, then you should consider hiring a bicycle accident attorney from the Law Office of James T. Ponton, LLC. Bicycle accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injuries, and they can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Let us now see into the main causes of bicycle accidents in Atlanta.
1. Not Using Proper Turn Signals
In many cases, bicycle accidents occur when the cyclist involved does not use proper turn signals. This is especially dangerous in intersections. If you are using proper turn signals, it can lead to a motorist thinking that the cyclist is going to turn a different way. The driver may not be looking in the direction of the cyclist and can hit them if they are not careful.
2. Not Using Proper Lanes
Another common cause of bicycle accidents is cyclists not using proper lanes. This can occur at busy intersections when vehicles may not see a cyclist at the last minute, and they may hit them. If you are a cyclist and going to cross an intersection, then you should walk your bike on the sidewalk.
3. Speeding Or Tailgating
Speeding and tailgating are both dangerous. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, then it is important to find out whether the other person was speeding or tailgating. A bicycle accident attorney will be able to explore all of the evidence and will be in a better position to give you an answer regarding the cause of your accident.
4. Distracted Riding
Distracted riding is one of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Atlanta. Due to different reasons, a cyclist may not be able to use proper signals or they may not be able to pay attention. A distracted rider can also cause a motorist to run into an intersection.
5. Riding Under The Influence
According to Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol causes most bicycle accidents in the United States. If a cyclist is riding while under the influence, then the injury is likely to be more severe, and the chances of survival are lower.