Bicycle Accidents Spike During Summer

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A morning bike ride took a tragic turn earlier this week when a 60-year-old woman was fatally struck by a trash truck while she was riding her bike in the vicinity of Central Avenue near Oak Lane. While the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to investigate the details of this case, it brings attention to the growing number of bicycle accidents in Maryland that occur in the summertime. As the days become sunnier, warmer, and longer, more people tend to reach for their bicycles for exercise, recreation, or as a mode of transportation to work. Unfortunately, this also means that there are more bicycle accidents during the summer months, many of which are fatal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the following statistics for July 2014:

  • Eight-eight percent of bicyclists injured or killed were male.
  • Sixty-nine percent of all fatal bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas.
  • Twenty-four percent of fatal bicycles accidents victims were between the ages of 45 and 54.
  • Forty-eight percent of fatal bicycle accidents happened between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and midnight.

While the rise in bike accidents during the months of July, August, and September are due to the fact that there are significantly more people riding their bikes during this time, there are some common mistakes that motorists make that also contribute to these serious, sometimes fatal accidents. These include instances when a driver:

  • Turns in front of a cyclist instead of yielding to them;
  • Fails to look for bicyclists at places like stop signs and intersections;
  • Turns right at a red light, failing to look for bicyclists;
  • Exceeds the speed limit, endangering bicyclists who are sharing the road;
  • Passes too close to the bicyclist.

Riding your bike is a great way to get some exercise, protect the environment, and enjoy the outdoors, but only if you are taking the right safety precautions. Be alert and aware of other vehicles on the road, and always wear a helmet, regardless of how long your bike ride is going to be.

Baltimore Bicycle Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Maximum Compensation for Victims of Bicycle Accidents

If you are seriously injured in a bicycle accident this summer, contact the Baltimore bicycle accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible so that we can take the necessary steps to determine who is responsible for your injuries and secure the financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a complementary consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent injured accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.