Category: Bicycle Accident

People ride bikes all the time, but they may not know where they can ride. Cyclists often share the road with motorists, but not knowing if they have to follow the same rules as the motorists can lead to devastating accidents that result in injuries. Bicycle accident injuries tend to be severe because cyclists have next to nothing protecting them from the impact of a crash. These injuries can require professional medical attention and a long recovery period.

You don’t deserve to deal with this on your own—and you don’t have to. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, a Louisville bicycle accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices can help you get compensation that could cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Experts agree that infants younger than one year should not ride on bicycles, and some states even prohibit it. This has nothing to do with parents’ biking ability, but is simply a reflection of a baby’s development.

They’ve only begun to sit securely on their own at nine months. Pediatricians point out that while infants are still developing bones and muscles to sit up straight, they likely would be sitting in a slumped position in a bike seat or trailer. This would only be made worse with the weight of a bike helmet. In addition, their necks may not yet be strong enough to withstand the activity.

When your child is ready, parents should consider their biking ability in choosing a seat style to avoid a bike crash. The type of bike seat where the baby sits high and behind the rider makes the child more visible to cars, but the bike is harder to maneuver for the parent. Trailer carriers that run behind the bike on their own wheels are easier to maneuver for inexperienced cyclists, but harder for cars to see.

The number of people who bike regularly to work has jumped 40% over the last decade. If you’re considering taking advantage of this eco-friendly way to stay fit, be sure to also stay safe. Studies show that car drivers contribute to 64% of bicycle-car collisions, usually from a failure to yield to the bicyclist.

To increase your chances of a safe commute, the American Automobile Association (AAA) suggests these tips:

If you’re teaching your child how to ride without training wheels this summer, it’s also time to teach them how to wear a bike helmet. Correct fit and proper positioning are key to letting bike helmets do their work. Consider these facts:

• One study found that in a bike crash, children with ill-fitting helmets are twice as likely to incur a head injury as kids with the proper fit.
• Wearing a helmet tipped too far back leaves a child with a 52% greater risk of head injury than those wearing helmets properly centered.

Choosing a Helmet
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cautions parents that bike helmets come in different sizes, like hats – it’s not one size fits all. The first step in proper fit is to choose a helmet of the right size. The helmet should fit snugly, which can be matched in the store or online by measuring the child’s head.

Picture this: a bicyclist pulls up beside a car while both wait for a red light to change. When the light turns green, both start forward – but the car turns right, cutting in front of the bicyclist and throwing the rider to the pavement. It is an accident commonly known as the “right hook,” and it can cause serious injuries to bikers.

Summer in Kentucky can be a great time to ride a bicycle – a healthy way to travel that’s also easy on the environment and cuts down on gas bills. While a Kentucky bicycle accident attorney can help you protect your legal rights if you are injured, the best protection from injury is prevention.