United States Bicycle Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, cycling accidents are incredibly common in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 49,000 cyclists are injured or killed in reported road accidents. A large portion of these accidents cause the victim to incur serious medical costs in addition to lost wages, and damaged property. Here are some statistics about bike accidents in the United States.
Where Do Most Accidents Occur?
The majority of cycling accidents happen in urban areas, where biking is most likely to take place. Two thirds of cyclists that were killed or seriously injured were involved in car-on-bike accidents located in an intersection. The higher the speed limit, the more likely a cyclist was to suffer a more severe injury. Country or rural roads are the most dangerous, where half of accidents ended in a fatality.
When Do Most Accidents Occur?
Surprisingly, 80% of cycling accidents occur in broad daylight between the hours of 8:00am-9:00am and 3:00pm-6:00pm. This coincides with work traffic, so it may be best to stay off the roads if you can during that time. Accidents that occurred at night were more likely to be fatal.
What Are Common Injuries?
The majority of cyclists that are involved in an accident have limb, chest, or head injuries. Your risk for a serious head injury depends heavily on the use of a helmet. Catastrophic head injuries were the cause of 70% of deaths from cycling accidents. Always be safe and ride with a quality helmet.
What if I Get in a Bike Accident?
If you have been involved in an accident, the first thing is to make sure a medical professional checks you out right away. Then talk to an attorney that focuses on bike accidents. An experienced attorney will be able to walk you through the legal process for receiving compensation for your damages.
If you have suffered a personal injury while riding your bike, contact us at Cyclist at Law at 800-844-6188.