Bicycle Safety Tips
Bicycling is a great way to get around, especially in big cities like Philadelphia. Bicycles are efficient in congested areas, easy to park, and fun to ride. However, because bicyclists are largely unprotected, they are at great risk of being severely injured if they are involved in an accident. The only padding that most cyclists have in the event of a crash are the clothes on their backs, and perhaps a helmet.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident involving a negligent driver, the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. are committed to helping you fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today at 800-876-LAWYER for more information.
Staying Safe on the Road
The best form of protection for any cyclist is prevention. Knowing how to make you visible and predictable to other people on the road is the most effective way to help prevent an accident. Some safety tips to follow include:
- Communicate with other drivers. Always use hand signals when turning, changing lanes, or slowing and stopping. Make eye contact with drivers who may turn out in front of you to make sure that they see you.
- Wear bright colors and use lights. Visibility is crucial for any cyclist’s safety. Wear brightly colored clothing while riding, and try to include clothing with reflective stripes at night. Always use a bright front and back light while riding at night.
- Ride to the right. Ride in the rightmost lane when on a street. If there is a bike lane or the lane is wide enough for cars to safely pass you, ride to the right side of the lane. If the lane is narrow or the right side of the lane is too bumpy to safely ride, take the entire lane so that cars know they should switch lanes to pass you.
- Don’t ride between parked cars or other obstructions. If the right side of the road is occupied by parked cars or is otherwise blocked, stay to the left of the right lane and always ride in a straight line. Moving to the right in between parked cars may seem like a courtesy to other traffic, but it is actually more dangerous because a motorist may not see you when you need to merge back to the left to pass a parked car.
- Keep a three-foot distance from parked cars. One of the most common accidents that lead to an injured cyclist is getting “doored.” This happens when someone opens a car door onto the street and hits an oncoming cyclist. Keeping a three-foot distance ensures that you remain safe even if someone accidentally opens a door in front of you.
Following these simple safety tips can help to minimize your chance of an accident when you’re on the road. Sometimes however, even safe, law-abiding cyclists are hit by inattentive or reckless drivers. If this has happened to you or someone you love, the negligent driver may be held responsible for the accident and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact Us
For sound legal advice and assistance with initiating a lawsuit for compensation, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 800-876-LAWYER.