Articles Posted in Bicycle Accidents

Downtown Fort Lauderdale recently threw a block party for safety awareness. We like it!

It was dubbed “Alert today, alive tomorrow” and helped to raise awareness about bicyclists in our area. According to the Examiner, it was all a part of safety efforts from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The logo for this event couldn’t have been more fitting either. It was of a pedestrian crossing a “dangerous” intersection, facing an aggressive car. It’s so fitting because it’s a scene we see here in South Florida all too often.

As our Vero Beach bicycle accident lawyers have recently discussed, Florida has been deemed the most dangerous state in the country for bicycle safety time and time again. According to a recent report from Transportation for America, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area is ranked as the fourth most dangerous metro area in the entire U.S. As a matter of fact, the state of Florida holds all spots for the top 4 most dangerous areas in the country for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The U.S. Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Transportation recently conducted a study to further their findings regarding these dangerous trends. The study looked at lifestyles of more than 55 million people around the country. More than 25 percent of residents over the age of 15 say that they ride bicycles for exercise, more than 40 percent say they ride them for their health reasons and more than 35 percent say they riding for recreational purposes.

With all of these riders, we’re seeing an increase in accidents. Gas prices are remaining stagnantly high and residents are looking for a way to travel without breaking the bank. That’s where bicycles are coming in.

What many drivers aren’t aware of is a little known rule that requires motor vehicles to remain at least 3 feet away from bicyclists and pedestrians along our roadways.

Although motor vehicles may no longer be king of the road, seemingly outnumbered in some areas by bicycles, they still overpower us with their size, weight and strength. It’s time for bicyclists to reclaim the roadways and make the fight for safety. That’s where the recent “Alert today, alive tomorrow” came in to play. Motorists are asked to keep an eye out for these travelers while bicyclists are asked to make their presence known and reclaim their rights!

Pedestrians are fighting this same battle, too!

From 2000 to 2009, there were close to 500 people killed while walking through Broward County. In this area, more than 21 percent of all total traffic fatalities recorded during this time were of pedestrians.

Drivers are asked to be on the lookout. Keep an eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians. They’ve got a right to travel safely. Let’s work together, raise awareness and work to preserve these rights.
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A series of recent bicycle and pedestrian accidents in the South Florida area has resulted in a number of fatalities that were just added to the Sunshine State’s already high number of non-motorist traffic deaths.

Mike Lasche, the executive director of Florida Walks & Bikes is just downright frustrated.

As it’s been for years now, Florida has some of the highest pedestrian and bicycle accident fatality rates in the country. This has a lot to do with the warm year around weather, the growing population, the rising costs of gas and a growing awareness about the effects of transportation on the environment.

Our Sunrise personal injury lawyers understand that, unfortunately, many of our roadways are designed with only fast-moving vehicular traffic in mind. Many lack proper crosswalks, sidewalks and/or bike lanes. The risks for these accidents are high without these amenities and have only increased with the end of daylight saving time and earlier nightfall.

Helping out non-motorists:

Nearly all biking and pedestrian advocacy groups say that the best way to help to keep these vulnerable travelers safe is to make changes to our roadway infrastructure. According to recent studies, roadways with dedicated travel areas for these vulnerable travelers can help to reduce the risks of an accident by at least 50 percent.

The same studies indicate that the state of Florida has the materials and the funding to implement a wide-scale education campaign that is aimed at improving the state’s infrastructure. Unfortunately, the program isn’t largely used.

To help keep everyone safe out there, officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safe and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is here to offer bicyclists and pedestrians some safety tips. Stay away from traffic and follow the tips below.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Tips:

-Bicyclists should always travel in the same direction of traffic.

-Pedestrians should cross the road by using sidewalks.

-Before crossing the road, check left, right and left again. Continue checking for traffic as you cross the road.

-If you’re riding a bike, you should be wearing a helmet. This is especially important for our younger riders.

-If there’s no sidewalk around, pedestrians should walk facing oncoming traffic.

-Wear bright-colored clothing and reflective materials (especially at night) to help motorists to see you.

In the state of Florida, there were close to 100 bicyclists killed in 2010. During that year, we were ranked as the second most dangerous state in the country for these accidents. Also in 2010, we saw another 500 pedestrian fatalities resulting from traffic accidents. We were ranked second in the country for these kinds of accidents.

Travelers of all kinds are asked to be cautious out there and be courteous to one another. Teamwork may be the only way that we can take matters into our own hands to help improve roadways safety, regardless of current infrastructure problems.
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A new study was just released that solidifies the argument that bicycle helmets can save lives. According to US News, researchers in Canada looked at close to 150 bicycle fatalities that happened from 2006 through 2010. Cyclists involved in these accidents ranged from 10- to 83-years-old. More than 85 percent of these victims were males. Cars and other motor vehicles were involved in more than three quarters of these fatal accidents.

The bicyclists who were killed in these accidents because of a head injury were about three times less likely to be wearing a helmet at the time of collision than those who were killed because of other injuries sustained in the accident. The study was published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Our Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyers understand that bicyclists stand little to no chance of survival in a serious accident with a motor vehicle. Cars and trucks carry so much weight and power that it’s an unfair match up when accidents occur. It’s important for these two-wheeled travelers to be on the lookout when traveling near vehicular traffic. Staying one step ahead of the movement around you will help to cut down your risks of a potentially fatal accident.

“We saw an association between dying as a result of sustaining head injury and not wearing a helmet,” wrote Dr. Navindra Persaud, with St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

When tallying bicycle fatalities, they account for more than 2 percent of all of the recorded traffic deaths for the year. As a matter of fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were more than 615 cyclists who were killed in the U.S. in 2010. There were another 50,000 injuries sustained by our two-wheeled friends.

The state of Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country for these kinds of accidents, too. In 2010, there were close to 100 bicyclist fatalities recorded in the Sunshine State. We ranked as only the second most dangerous state for riders, behind the state of California.

Riders have to fend for themselves out there, because it’s clear that no one else is going to do it. Be safe, be alert and be aware when riding your bicycle to help to keep yourself out of the path of any irresponsible drivers.

Riders can qualify to get a free bike helmet through the PedBike SRC. All you have to do is register on the site. You’ll then have to become a community partner, meaning that you have to attend and complete a bicycle helmet fitter training program. Once you’ve completed this program, you have to fax or email a scanned copy of the completion certificate to the organization. Lastly, you’ll have to complete the Community Partner Agreement Form. Once all of this is verified by officials, you’ll get access to the Helmet Store and you can get your free helmet!
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Bicycling may be getting trendier and trendier with every passing day. Just look outside. There are more residents hopping on and pedaling away to get to where they’ve got to go. According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), there are a multitude of reasons why biking is catching on so quickly.

But are they really all positive ones or are we seeing more risks for accidents now?

Our Port St. Lucie bicycling accident attorneys understand that first and foremost, most bicyclists are out there pedaling because it’s one of the best ways to boost your health and fitness.

The state of Florida offers bicyclists with nearly 365 days of prime bicycling weather. Still, it is estimated that about 80 percent of residents aren’t getting the 30 minutes of moderate activity that they need at least 5 days a week. As a matter of fact, inactivity is the cause of about 10 percent of all deaths and an additional 25 percent of all chronic disease-related deaths.

Bicycling does more than help our insides though. It also helps to improve the environment. Each and every day, motor vehicles burn up millions of barrels of oil. All of these barrels are non-renewable energy just gone! POOF! The good news is that bicycles require none of this energy. Each bicycle ride helps to reduce these gases that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and it’s also helping to get riders healthy!

Bicycling also comes with a social responsibility. With more bikers in the area, communities get a healthy sense of identity and it helps to attract more business, employees and tourists to the area.

Florida is one of the most common places to find bicyclists. As a matter of fact, it’s also one of the most common areas to find bicycling accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 85 bicyclists who were killed in the state of Florida in 2010. Our state came in at second place for the deadliest for these kinds of accidents, only behind the state of California, which reported 99 bicyclist fatalities.

Most of the bicyclists who were killed in traffic accidents were male, accounting for more than 85 percent of all of these bicycling fatalities. Most of these bicyclists were also between the ages of 45- and 54-years-old. The second most affected group was those between the ages of 25- and 34-years-old.

Drivers in the South Florida area are asked to be cautious. Cyclists are provided with virtually no protection in the event of an accident with a passenger vehicle. Keep your eyes on your surroundings, especially when making turns or when reversing. Taking that extra second to scan for bicyclists can help to save lives.
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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.
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To help to raise awareness about the risks of bicycling accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere, Hector Picard, a bicyclist who lost both of his arms in an accident back in 1992, is setting out on a journey from Fort Lauderdale all the way to New York City on his bicycle. The ride is not only to draw attention to the dangers bicyclists face on roadways nationwide, but to also help to raise money for other physically challenged athletes, according to the Sun Sentinel.

He is expected to complete his close to 1,500 mile journey on the 10th of June.

“If I can inspire people along the way, it’s a great thing,” said Picard.

Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers understand that there were nearly 100 bicyclists killed on Florida roadways in 2010. In addition to these fatalities, there were nearly 5,000 bicyclist injuries, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Florida is one of the most dangerous states for these kinds of accidents year after year. The truth of the matter is that these kinds of accidents can be avoided with bicycling education. It’s clear that motorists have little to no consideration for our pedaling friends and we need to take safety into our own hands to help to avoid these kinds of accidents.

Bicycle Safety Tips from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT):

-Bicyclists are to ride with the flow of traffic. Never ride facing oncoming traffic. When bicyclists drive facing oncoming traffic, their risks for accidents increase by nearly 20 percent. This is likely because motorists don’t expect traffic, bicycles or not, to come from the opposite direction of traffic flow.

-When riding between sunset and sunrise, bicyclists are required by law to equip their bike with a light on the front of the bike. These front white lights must be visible from 500 feet. In addition to the front light, bikes are required to be equipped with a rear lamp giving off a red visible light that can be seen from 600 feet.

-Riders who are under the age of 16-years-old are required to wear a helmet that has been properly fitted, fastened and one that meets federally recognized standards.

-All bicycles must have a regular, fixed seat designated for riding.

-There may be no more than one person on a bicycle that is designed for just that — one person.

-Ride in a single-file line.

-Adult bicyclists are allowed to carry children with them in a sling, a backback or a child seat that is designed for young riders.

-Bicyclists are required to always keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

-Every bicycle must have a brake or brakes that can allow riders to stop within 25 feet from traveling at a speed of 10 mph.
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A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured last month after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike in Lake Worth, according to News Channel 5. The accident happened on Lake Worth Road in the parking lot of an IHOP and a Dunkin Donuts.

According to witnesses, the Lake Worth bicycle accident happened when the boy was riding through the parking lot and was struck by a Honda SUV that was making a turn. Reports indicate that the tires of the vehicle ran over the boy. The boy told officials that he “hurt all over.” The driver said that he didn’t see the boy in time and wasn’t able to stop or swerve to avoid the crash. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the boy’s lungs were severely bruised and he sustained some abrasions but was last listed in stable condition.

Our Lake Worth bicycle accident attorneys understand that Florida was ranked as the most dangerous state in the United States for pedestrian and bicycle accidents. According to Transportation for America, there were nearly 5,200 people who were killed while walking and riding in the state from 2000 to 2009. These accidents cost the state more than $22 billion. The Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach areas of the state were the most dangerous with more than 1,550 fatalities during this time period.

Our Lake Worth Law Firm would like to ask residents to make safe travel a New Year’s resolution. With safe traveling habits from both motorists and bicyclists we can all be cautious of one another and avoid some potentially fatal traffic accidents. This is the 5th entry of a 6-part blog discussing simple New Year’s resolution for safer roads.

Safe Biking Tips, from the Sun Sentinel:

-Always right on the right-hand portion of the street unless you’re making a left-hand turn.

-Equip the front of your bike with a white light and a reflector.

-Make sure your bike has a reflector and a red light if you’re riding at night.

-Make sure that all bicyclists under the age of 16 are wearing a helmet. Make sure they’re wearing it properly, too!

-There should never be more than one person on a bike. Only ride more than one person on a bike if you’re riding one that is specifically designed for more people.

-Children should be carried in a sling or in a backpack, trailer or child seat when biking.

-You should always have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

-Bicyclists should always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking along crosswalks and sidewalks. Signal loudly before passing them.

-Ride as close as you can to the right-side curb unless you’re passing someone, avoiding an obstacle or making a left turn.

-Never ride parallel to more than one other bicyclist when traveling on the same street lane.

-Wear reflective clothing to be more easily seen by passing motorists.
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After reviewing the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ (FLHSMV)2010 traffic accident report that was recently released, our injury lawyers in Margate, Miramar, Sunrise and elsewhere in South Florida want to alert pedestrians and bicyclists to use more caution on Florida roadways. Pedestrians and bicyclists often have a big bull’s-eye target on their back so to speak because they are difficult to see and slow to react when a motorist is headed right at them.

We posted recently on our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog and our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog about two different pedestrians who were killed earlier this month. The first victim lost his life in a pedestrian accident in Miami while he was waiting at a bus stop. The other victim was killed early on a Sunday morning by a hit-and-run driver. It turned out there were few details to go on to catch the driver.

These senseless acts along with many others are why the FLHSMV crash statistics are so disturbing. There were 499 pedestrian deaths in 2010 compared to 482 in 2009, an increase of almost 4 percent from year to year. Sadly, 10 deaths were children under 5 and another 15 for children between the ages of 5 to 14. The age group most at risk of a fatal pedestrian accident in 2009 and 2010 was for 45 to 54 year olds. There were 97 pedestrian deaths in this age group in 2010, 76 percent of which were males. Almost 7,300 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2010, which was less than 2009. Again, 45 to 54 year olds were most at risk of injury.

Two boys remain in serious condition after a Fort Pierce bicycle accident, reports the West Palm Beach News.

The bicycle accident resulted in two young boys being flown by helicopter to two different trauma centers. Witnesses report both boys were riding on the same bicycle when they were struck by a car at 3102 Q Street around 8:30 p.m. The crash remains under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 630 bicyclists were killed on U.S. roadways in 2009, down from 718 in 2008. Data showed 74 of the victims were 14 or younger, a decline of 58 percent from the 178 killed in 2000. Cyclist deaths accounted for 2 percent of all 2009 traffic fatalities. Additionally, 51,000 cyclists were injured in traffic-related accidents in 2009 — a drastic increase from 43,000 in 2007.

How should small children dress while riding?

-Fluorescent or bright-colored clothes will make kids more visible than wearing dark clothing.

-Wearing lightweight clothes will help them from getting overheated.

-Never wear pants with loose-fitting or flared legs that could get caught in the chain while riding.

-If your child carries a backpack while riding, ensure the straps are tied so they can’t get tangled in the spokes of the wheels.

-Never ride a bike in bare feet. Wear appropriate footwear that will grip the bike’s pedals.

Safety tips all children should know before riding a bicycle:

-Wear a properly fitting bicycle helmet.

-Obey all traffic lights and stop at all stop signs. Be extra careful at intersections.

-Ride in the same direction as the traffic — never ride against traffic.

-Kids younger than 10 should ride on the sidewalks; older kids should use bike lanes or designated bike routes.

-Never ride in the dark.

-When leaving an alley, driveway or a curb, always stop and look for traffic in both directions.

-Pay close attention to turning cars or cars leaving driveways.

-Don’t ride close to parked cars as their doors can open unexpectedly.

-Follow traffic signals and use a crosswalk to walk a bike across a busy intersections.

-Ride single-file when riding in a group.

-Pass other cyclists or people on the road on their left.

-Only one person should be on a bike at a time.

-Don’t use electronic devices while riding.

-Stay seated while riding.

-Always look before changing directions or lanes, and always use hand signals.

Keep your child’s bike in good shape:

-Inflate tires to the correct pressure that’s indicated on the sidewall of the tire.

-Make sure the chain is well-oiled and clean of road grit.

-Ensure that the handlebars are tight and adjusted properly for your child.

-Make sure brake pads are not worn out and look for frayed cables.

-Adjust the seat height so your child’s feet can touch the ground.
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A fatal Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident has claimed the life of a man as he was riding his bike along Sunrise Boulevard, Channel 7 News reported.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys know bicycle accidents are a common winter danger throughout South Florida. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Florida is the deadliest place in the nation for bicycle accidents. In 2008, a total of 125 riders were killed. California (109) was the only other state to report more than 100 deaths.

Nationwide, 716 riders were killed that year — meaning about 1 in 6 of the nation’s fatal bicycle accidents occur in Florida. Another 52,000 riders were injured.

The Orlando Sentinel reports the victim was 53 years old and was riding north along Flamingo Road near Sunrise Boulevard. The accident happened about 6 a.m. and the driver remained at the scene.

In a second fatal bicycle accident, a 61-year-old Wilton Manors man was killed while riding his bike in unincorporated Broward near Fort Lauderdale.

Middle-aged men are the fastest growing fatality group as the popularity of riding for pleasure and for exercise has put more and more cyclists on the roads in recent years. Bicycle rentals are also a popular option for tourists, who are frequently unfamiliar with the area.
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