Cyclists in the South Florida area strapped on their helmets and set out on a 7-mile ride of honor of a fallen cyclists and a father of two who died in a recent hit-and-run accident, according to Local 10.
Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents are common in the entire state. As a matter of fact, we’re one of the leading areas in the country for bicycle accidents. Each year, there are hundreds killed in bicycle accidents in Broward and elsewhere.
“‘Share the road’ is not a slogan; it’s actually a way of behaving that saves people’s lives,” said one of the witnesses to the fatal accident. The witness was injured in the hit-and-run accident and suffered from a fractured ankle.
Our Greenacres bicycle accident lawyers understand that there are serious risks for fatal biking accidents throughout the summer. As we’ve previously discussed, Florida is one of the most dangerous states for these kinds of accidents. The new statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that nothing has changed. In 2010, there were nearly 620 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2010 across the country. There were nearly 55,000 bicyclists injured in these accidents, too. With Florida’s beautiful weather, we’ve got year round risks for these kinds of accidents. For that reason, cyclists and safe driving advocates spend much of their working to help to raise awareness in drivers about these vulnerable travelers on our roadway.
In Florida, there were nearly 85 people who were killed in bicycle accidents in 2010. Only the state of California tallied more fatalities, and that’s no surprise considering they’ve got nearly double the population that we do.
Men are especially at risk for these kinds of accidents. In 2010, about 85 percent of the victims of these fatal accidents were in fact men. About 75 percent of those who were injured in these accidents were males as well.
In 2010, about 25 percent of the victims in these accidents were betterment the ages of 45- and 54-year-old. Another 20 percent of the fatal accidents involved bicyclists who were between the ages of 25- and 35-years-old.
Bicyclists are also cautioned in urban areas. In 2010, more than 70 percent of the bicyclists who were killed in 2010 were killed in accidents that happened in urban areas.
While we continue to warn bicyclists about the dangers they face along our roadways, it’s important to discuss these risks with drivers, too. Driver attention and courtesy is one of the key issues in preventing these kinds of accidents. Drivers are asked to allow bicyclists plenty of room on our roadways. Be sure to always check your vehicle’s blind spots and to be extra cautious when reversing or making turns. Your awareness can help to save lives.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bicycling accident in Greenacres, Stuart City, Royal Palm Beach, or elsewhere in the area, contact the personal injury attorneys of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Ride held to raise cyclist safety awareness, by Ben Kennedy, Local 10
More Blog Entries:
Bicycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale Send Off 1,500 Mile Ride, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, May 31, 2012
Accidents in Stuart City and Elsewhere Land Sunshine State as 18th Most Dangerous, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, May 15, 2012