Riding your bicycle can be great fun, until you’re part of an accident with a motor vehicle. If that happens, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself dealing with a variety of injuries.
Fortunately, there are several tips you can follow to avoid a bicycle-car accident. Here are four that you never want to forget:
Watch for opening doors: Moving cars are dangerous, but so are those that are parked. A door that opens into your path can cause a head-on, high-speed collision.
Beware of turning vehicles: When a driver makes a turn, they don’t always look to see if there’s a bicyclist next to them. Take extra caution as you approach intersections.
Make eye contact with drivers: Do whatever you can to make eye contact with drivers in close proximity to you, as this is one of the better ways to show them what you’re doing and thinking.
Use the bicycle lane: If available, spend the majority of your time driving in the bicycle lane. This keeps you away from vehicles, all the while giving you the space you need to maintain your safety.
These are the types of tips that can go a long way in helping you avoid trouble on your bicycle.
If you’re still part of a bicycle-car accident, you shouldn’t wait to call for help. You could be suffering from a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Only after you receive treatment should you learn more about your legal rights, review the police report and determine how to best hold the negligent party responsible.