Whether you ride your bike on a daily basis or enjoy cycling from time to time, it is vital to understand the risks you face. Every year, many people lose their lives and sustain serious injuries as a result of traffic accidents involving bicycles. From poor road conditions to reckless drivers, these accidents occur for a host of reasons.
Some bicyclists do not realize how prevalent fatal bike accidents are. Reviewing statistics on these accidents can help shed light on how often they occur and draw attention to risks that increase the likelihood of a devastating bicycle accident.
Data on fatal bicycle accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 846 bicyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents during 2019. A majority of these fatal accidents took place in urban locations (78%) and six times as many male bicyclists lost their lives in comparison to female bicyclists. Throughout the year, most fatal bicycle accidents took place between 6 PM and 9 PM.
Preventing fatal bike accidents
There are different strategies to reduce the likelihood of a fatal bike accident. As a bicyclist, you can wear protective equipment and reflective clothing. Carefully plan ahead and try to avoid chaotic roads with fast vehicles, if possible. Drivers should always remain vigilant, drive responsibly and yield to bicyclists.
Unfortunately, even the most cautious bicyclists cannot always avoid an accident. If a serious bike accident caused by a negligent driver has turned your life upside down or claimed the life of a loved one, do not hesitate to explore your options and hold the driver accountable.