Although there are people who enjoy riding their bicycles year-round, many wait until the summer months to really get involved.

From suburban roadways to downtown corridors, bicycles are everywhere. For this reason, there is always the chance of a bicyclist being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle.

Important Safety Tips for Summer Bike Riding

The summer weather brings an increase in both bicyclists and motor vehicles on the road, which can lead to an increase in accidents.

Here are four summer bike safety tips to follow:

  1. Wear a helmet at all times. It does not matter where you are riding or how far you are traveling, you should always wear a helmet. This can help prevent serious injury or save your life in the event of an accident. It can also be helpful to wear other types of protective bicycle equipment, like elbow and knee pads, which can protect your bones.
  2. Be seen. From dawn to dusk, do whatever you can to be seen by others. This typically means wearing bright clothing and adding reflectors to your bicycle. When others can see you, there is a lesser chance of being involved in an accident. It can also be helpful to add a noisemaker, or type of horn, to notify other drivers of your presence.
  3. Check your bike before jumping in the saddle. Do the brakes work? Are your tires properly inflated? If you find something wrong with your equipment, take care of the problem before riding.
  4. Know the bicycle laws. Different cities throughout the state have different bicycle laws and knowing where it is safe, versus unsafe to bike, is important. Always follow the rules of the road, and know where the local bike paths are when navigating new locations by bike.

With these summer bike safety tips in mind, you can better enjoy yourself while also preventing an accident. It is also helpful to be aware of your surroundings when bicycling. Both bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers need to be aware of others.

Common Bicycle Injuries

Unfortunately, when a bicyclist is involved in an accident with a vehicle, the outcome is often painful injuries. The bicyclist could break a bone, or experience internal bleeding. Many of the most common injuries can lead to time in the hospital,  or prevent the injured person from returning to work, which can put them in a difficult place financially. Knowing your legal rights can help you evaluate the best steps to take following an accident.

If a driver, or any other individual,  is responsible for your injuries, they may also be responsible for your medical costs, rehabilitative costs, lost wages, and even your pain and suffering. These costs can quickly add up, so it is important to find out your options as soon as possible. The state also has time limits on how long you can file a lawsuit in a bicycle accident, so you will want to take action soon.

If you are injured in a bicycle accident this summer, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information regarding your legal rights.