Finding ways to reduce the risks of bicycle accidents

With summer underway, many avid cyclists in Delaware may be eager to break out their bicycles and head out on the open road. Whether you are new to cycling or have some level of experience, you may also be excited to enjoy the various benefits of a similar mode of transportation. 

However, with less in the way of protective barriers to shield you from harm, it may be understandable to have concerns about your safety as a cyclist. Knowing some of the most prevalent causes of bicycle accidents could help you better prepare for the journey by shining a light on hazards to watch out for. 

The causes 

Accidents involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle can have disastrous results, and as such, taking steps to reduce the odds of a crash may prove integral to protecting your well-being. Some of the hazards you might face as a cyclist may include: 

• Excessive speeding: Excessive speeding continues to be a leading cause of collisions, and cyclists who encounter such negligence might not always find it possible to react quickly enough to escape to safety. 
• Failure to yield: Another common cause of bicycle crashes pertains to a scenario in which a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a cyclist, especially at intersections and roundabouts. 
• Lack of spacing: Drivers who do not allow sufficient spacing may run a greater risk of rear-ending a cyclist, and even at lesser speeds, such an incident could prove hazardous. 
• Dangerous maneuvers: Dangerous driving maneuvers, such as sudden lane changes, can also pose a significant threat to your health, as the driver might not even see you before entering your lane. 

Crossing paths with a distracted or impaired driver can also be exceedingly dangerous, and there might be little you can do to react quickly enough to avoid such negligence. 

The outcome 

Regardless of how it happens, a bicycle-related crash risks placing your health in jeopardy. The fallout of your crash could affect various aspects of your life by leaving you with severe or permanent injuries and a long road to recovery. The costs of medical care and trials of missing out on wages during recovery could prompt substantial financial hurdles and leave you with questions about your options and the next steps to take to safeguard your future.