5 Tips for Preventing Wisconsin Bicycle Accident Injuries

 Posted on August 18, 2020 in Bicycle Accidents

With the COVID-19 pandemic making indoor exercise difficult, outdoor alternatives like bike-riding have become a common way for people to get their desired daily physical activity. If you find yourself riding your bicycle more often, it is important that you take the necessary safety precautions, especially considering that a larger number of bicycle fatalities typically occur during the summer months. While many bicycle accidents are caused by drivers of other vehicles, there is plenty you can do to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident or to lower your injury risk if an accident does occur, including:

1. Wear a helmet. Although most cities in Wisconsin do not legally require bicyclists to wear a helmet, making the personal choice to do so is the best way to minimize the risk of a severe head injury or traumatic brain injury if you are involved in an accident.
2. Use lights and reflectors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bicyclist fatalities are much more likely to occur between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight. If you are biking at night, wearing reflective clothing and equipping the front and rear of your bike with lights can greatly increase your visibility to other drivers and reduce your chances of being hit.
3. Follow regular traffic laws. Bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as other motorists. This means that when riding a bike, you should always travel on the same side of the road and in the same direction as motor vehicles. You should also obey traffic signs and lane markings, signal when turning, stop at traffic lights and stop signs, and avoid distractions that remove your attention from the road.
4. Know your abilities. If you are an inexperienced or out-of-practice bicyclist, you should practice riding your bike in safe areas free from traffic before taking to the road. Planning your routes to avoid dangerous, high-traffic areas whenever possible can also reduce your risk of injury.
5. Supervise your children. While 60% of adult bicycle accidents are the fault of another motorist, 90% of child bicycle accidents are caused by the child’s error. Young children require close supervision whenever riding a bike, and they are safer in residential areas than on the open road. You should be absolutely confident in your children’s abilities before allowing them to bike in traffic without supervision.

If you are in a bicycle accident, you should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries and try to collect any evidence you can from the accident, including photographs and witness statements. Even if your actions partially contributed to the accident, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries under Wisconsin law. 

Contact a Milwaukee Personal Injury Attorney Today

Even with your best efforts, you may find yourself suffering from injuries in a bicycle accident. When this is the case, you need a Milwaukee, Wisconsin bicycle accident lawyer who can help you seek compensation and find relief. Call Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, at 414-271-1440 to find out how we can serve you.

Sources:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/bike/crash.aspx