Written by our personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville
The law firm of Wilson & Hajek in Charlottesville offer tips of how bicycle riders can best avoid a collision and accident with personal injuries.
For daytime and nighttime bicycle riders:
- Get a headlight, particularly for night riding in Charlottesville, Augusta County, Waynesboro, and central VA;
- Keep headlight on in daytime and the new LED and oscillating lights will alert auto drivers and get their attention;
- Helmet or head-mounted lights also alert auto drivers;
- Make eye contact with auto driver and stop if eye contact is not made with driver;
- Get a loud horn and use it;
- Be aware that car doors may open unexpectedly as you go by a parked car;
- Do not ride against traffic. The impact velocity at impact will be increased and the accident will cause a more serious injury. One study showed riding the wrong way was three times as dangerous as riding with traffic. Riding the wrong way is illegal;
- Do not ride to the right and inside of cars stopped at an intersection as the auto may turn right causing an accident. There is also the possibility that a passenger may be opening a door;
- Do not ride on the sidewalk. When you come off the sidewalk you are invisible to motorists;
- Never move left without looking behind you first. This means you should use a mirror and still look over your shoulder. This will help you avoid a rear end collision accident with a car;
- Wear a reflective vest or a safety triangle. Better visibility of the rider helps avoid an accident and injury;
- Use back streets on weekends.
(Information drawn in part from BicycleSafe.com)
By following these accident avoidance tips, you can enjoy a safer ride free of accident and injury or death. If you do have an unfortunate accident in Charlottesville, Augusta County, or Waynesboro that is not your fault, the personal injury lawyers at Wilson & Hajek offer free consultations to discuss your personal injury.
Personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville serving Augusta County, Waynesboro and all of central Virginia.
