Huntington Beach Bike Accidents and How to Prevent Them
Huntington Beach bike accidents have many causes, and an ounce of prevention may be worth a couple of days in a hospital. The Hicks Law Firm will discuss common bike accident causes and ways to try to avoid accidents and injuries. We know these situations well because our bicycle accident lawyers help bike accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one are injured in a Huntington Beach bicycle accident, get the medical attention you need, then contact Aaron Hicks at the bicycle accident Hicks Law Firm to protect your rights to compensation. He can be reached at (949) 541-9944.
What Causes Bike Accidents?
Warmer weather, when there are more motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists around, increases the chances of an accident, reports Bike Hacks. About three-quarters of US biking fatalities happen in urban areas with heavy traffic.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates nearly three-quarters of all fatal bike accidents are caused by someone’s mistakes and negligence. This can include the following:
- A motorist, pedestrian, or other cyclist fails to see you and causes a collision
- You had the right of way, but the other party ignores that and strikes you
- Another person misjudges your speed or distance away from them
- A driver forces you out of a bike lane or squeezes you into another vehicle
- A driver doesn’t see you because you’re in a blind spot
- A vehicle occupant opens a door in your path without seeing if it’s safe to do so
- Poor rider judgment when changing lanes or crossing a street
Other crash causes may include:
- Poor bike maintenance, causing tire or equipment failure
- Poor road and weather conditions
- The bike doesn’t properly fit you, causing distractions like fatigue, discomfort, or pain
- Aggressive bicycling, including running red lights or stop signs and not yielding to pedestrians
Bike crashes aren’t always accidents. In September 2023, Huntington Beach was the scene of two bicyclist injuries and the death of another the same evening. The cause was a motorist who intentionally sideswiped them within about 30 minutes, according to CBS News. The teenage hit-and-run driver was arrested later that night and charged with one count of homicide and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
How Might Huntington Beach Bike Accidents Be Prevented?
Motorists could accept that they’re not the only ones using the city’s streets. They could:
- Pay attention to bicyclists and give them enough room so their vehicles can safely pass them or stop at intersections
- Not speed and maintain better control over their vehicles
- Stay focused and not be distracted
- Stay out of bike lanes
- Not drive while fatigued, intoxicated, or under the influence of drugs
- Look behind them before opening vehicle doors
Bicyclists can also take steps to try to stay safe, including the following:
- Wear bright colors, use reflectors and lights if you drive in low-light conditions, and increase visibility
- Not bike in bad weather or darkness
- Bike in less trafficked areas
- Not assume what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do
- Stay off sidewalks
- Try to avoid bad road surfaces, grates, and potholes, which, if you hit them, can cause a loss of control
- Not bike while distracted, intoxicated, or while using drugs
- Check the bike before riding to ensure the brakes work properly and tires are inflated
- Regularly maintain the bike and replace worn components before they fail
- Ride in a group so you’re more visible, and more people are watching out for vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists
- Use a smartphone or GPS device so you’ll know where you are and how to reach your destination so you can avoid the distractions that come with riding while lost. You may also avoid routes where traffic is heavy and vehicles travel at high speeds
- Use a helmet
- Do not antagonize or swear at drivers, even those acting irresponsibly, to avoid a road rage incident
Being careful and sensible are not only common sense precautions that may prevent severe and potentially fatal injuries; by using reasonable care, with the help of a bicycle accident attorney, you may increase the compensation you receive by not being at fault for the accident.
Contact Hicks Law Firm Today
Bicycle accidents have many causes, including driver negligence. Motorists and bicyclists can both take steps to prevent these potentially deadly crashes.
If you or a loved one are injured in a Huntington Beach bicycle accident, the earlier you contact one of our bicycle accident attorneys and retain our services, the quicker we can investigate the accident. The bicycle accident Hicks Law Firm provides free initial consultations. Our bicycle accident lawyers talk to potential clients, discuss what happened, how California law may apply, and the best options moving forward.
We can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call the bicycle accident Hicks Law Firm at (949) 541-9944 or fill out our online contact form today and schedule your free consultation.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
