Riding a bicycle can be a great way to get around town. Whether one is looking to get to and from work, or simply enjoy the city, many Phoenix residents ride their bikes on a regular basis. As enjoyable as this activity can be, though, it can also put an unsuspecting individual at risk of harm, particularly when motorists who are operating their vehicles near bicyclists act negligently. Far too often in these instances, bicycle accidents occur. The aftermath can be quite serious, leaving victims with serious or fatal injuries.
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents are quite common, too. According to one study that looked at data from 2015, nearly 1,000 people were killed in bicycle accidents. This is a six percent increase over the last decade. The year 2015 alone saw more than a 12 percent jump in these fatalities. Although the injuries suffered in these wrecks increased from an estimated 50,000 to 45,000 in 2014, the truth of the matter is that these accidents continue to occur at a surprising frequency.
A number of these crashes can be caused by negligent motorists. A negligent or distracted driver can fail to lane share with bicyclists, and he or she may fail to yield to a bicyclist that is crossing the street. Sadly, when innocent individuals are harmed in these accidents, they can be left with significant damages, including physical pain and suffering, emotional turmoil, medical expenses and lost wages, just to name a few.
So how can we go about decreasing bicycle accidents caused by negligent drivers? Although public safety initiatives seem to be doing their part, legal action can play a role, too. Negligent drivers who are held accountable through a personal injury lawsuit may be deterred from driving negligently in the future, and their case can serve as a lesson to others. Therefore, those who are hurt in a bicycle accident may want to consider their legal options to not only recover compensation, but also shed light on this ever-growing problem.
