Bicycle Accidents and Distracted Driving

Our personal injury attorneys have seen our fair share of devastating bicycle accidents caused by distracted driving. In Washington DC and across the country, distracted driving is a growing issue that is putting more and more cyclists at risk of serious injury or death.

What is distracted driving?

Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”

The consequences of distracted driving can be tragic. In fact, Bike Adviser reports that while bicycle accident injuries are decreasing, fatalities are actually on the rise. In 2020:

• 425,910 bicyclists were injured
• 938 cyclists were killed
• 58% of bike accidents involved a distracted driver
• 78% of bike accidents occurred in urban areas

Bike Adviser also notes:

In 2020, the majority of bike fatalities, about 314 (30%) occurred during summer months, specifically from June to August.

As we can see, rush hour is the deadliest time to be on the road, but dusk and sundown may also be deadly for two-wheeled riders.

How does distracted driving cause bike accidents?

Distracted driving can often cause a driver to fail to see a cyclist on the road. For example, if a driver is focused on their phone or otherwise distracted, they may not be paying attention to the road or traffic conditions around them. Therefore, they may not see bicyclists with whom they’re sharing the roadway, causing a collision.

Another way distracted driving can cause a bike accident is if a driver makes an unexpected or sudden maneuver. Distracted drivers may be unable to react quickly to changes in traffic patterns or road conditions. Sudden swerves or braking can catch a bicyclist off guard and cause an accident.

Lastly, a distracted driver may misjudge their speed or distance from everyone else on the road. And, this can be specifically dangerous to bicyclists, as a driver may not understand how close they are to a bike until it is much too late.

What types of injuries result from bicycle accidents?

The consequences of a bicycle accident can range from severe to catastrophic. Cyclists struck by distracted drivers may suffer from injuries including:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns and road rash
• Limb loss
• Facial and dental injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Wrongful death

If you’re injured by a distracted driver, a personal injury attorney can help you hold them liable and recover compensation for your injuries. This involves tasks like gathering evidence regarding the accident, working with your doctors to determine the full extent of your injuries, and then negotiating with insurance companies to secure the full compensation necessary to cover your losses.

In the event the insurance company refuses to cooperate, an attorney will take your case to court and fight on your behalf for a successful outcome.

How much is my bike accident case worth?

No two cases are unique, so it’s impossible to state a value without knowing the specifics of your accident. However, most personal injury claims have the same damages in common:

• Medical expenses, past and future
• Lost wages, past and future
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

In the event you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, you may claim funeral and burial expenses, as well as other losses.

Tips on preventing bicycle accidents

It is crucial that distracted drivers are held accountable for their actions, and a lawyer can certainly help with that. However, it is also important to understand how to prevent these types of accidents from happening in the first place. This requires a four-step approach:

• Bicyclists and drivers alike should be educated about the dangers of distracted driving and how it can cause accidents. This type of education should prioritize the importance of staying alert and focused on the road at all times, avoiding distractions like texting and cell phones.
• Police should be consistent and vigilant about enforcing distracting driving laws – meaning issuing tickets to drivers caught texting or engaging in other distracting activities. This creates what’s called a “culture of accountability” and helps discourage other drivers from engaging in similar behaviors.
• Infrastructure improvements, like dedicated bike lanes, can help reduce the number of bicycle accidents caused by distracted drivers. These lanes can safely separate cyclists from motor vehicle traffic, which decreases the risk of accidents. It can also help encourage more people to start using bicycles for transportation.
• Drivers and cyclists need to take responsibility for both their safety and the safety of others. This means they must avoid distractions while operating either a car or a bicycle and follow all traffic signs and signals, as well as stay aware of all other people and vehicles on the road.

Per Bike Adviser:

While it is impossible for bike riders to avert deadly crashes on their own, safe practices, adequate lane control and equipment, and most importantly awareness of roadway conditions and context are key to reduce risks. Investing in infrastructure, education and other transportation operations can also significantly influence traffic safety.

Please contact Paulson & Nace, PLLC by calling our office or by filling out this contact form.