Bicycle transportation may be less common than driving, but the chilling truth known to the Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Kline & Specter, PC, in Philadelphia is that bicyclists are far more likely to be in a serious accident.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2010 that bicycle-vehicle accidents accounted for 515,000 emergency room visits that year, and that cyclists often incur a lifetime of medical expenses as a result of their injuries.
If you love to ride a bike, either for recreation or transportation, here are three things you can do to avoid an accident from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
Bicycle Accident Prevention Tip No. 1: "Drive" your bike defensively. Follow the rules of the road, including safety signage. Stay alert. Ride with the flow of traffic. Use hand signals, eye contact and body language to communicate with nearby drivers.
Bicycle Accident Prevention Tip No. 2: Dress for safety. During the day, florescent clothing will make you more visible to drivers. At night, riding with reflective gear on a bike with active lighting is a must.
Bicycle Accident Prevention Tip No. 3: Always wear a helmet. If you are in a bike accident and are wearing a helmet, you're significantly less likely to sustain a head or brain injury.
Know that if you are in a serious bicycle accident, the Philadelphia-based personal injury lawyers at Kline & Specter can help with cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and nationwide. Call us at 215-772-1000.