Why are California bicycle accidents increasing?

In a place like San Diego, California, where the weather is warm year round, many people enjoy riding their bicycles throughout the year. Riding a bike can be a pleasant and beneficial experience for the rider mentally and physically. Many cities in the United States have roads with bike lanes and crosswalks that are theoretically safe and removed from the motor vehicles on the road.

However, sometimes bad things happen and motor vehicles have accidents with nonmotorists, with tragic outcomes. Of course, when it comes to the power of a motor vehicle and the power of a bicycle, there is no contest. It is so sad because accidents are not only causing injuries (many of them severe in nature) but the number of fatalities is also increasing year after year.

The numbers of accidents and fatalities are rapidly rising

California streets are becoming more and more fraught with accidents involving motor vehicles and bicycles. According to new statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2020 to 2021, there were approximately 3,246 fatalities in traffic in California, which is an increase of 17 percent in the first nine months of 2021 compared with the same time period in 2020

Every year in California and across the United States, a large number of nonmotorists are killed in traffic accidents. Many of those who lose their lives are bicyclists and many others are pedestrians. The idea that a person who leaves their home for a morning walk or to take a relaxing bike ride may never come home again is incredibly sad.

There are many safety programs across the state

In California, there are several safety programs that are designed to help decrease the number of accidents on dangerous streets. Those streets make up six percent of all streets and approximately 70 percent of the pedestrian fatalities and injuries occur there. Those particular streets are flat and have several lanes. They also have a small number of crosswalks and traffic lights. In those cases, motor vehicle drivers may find it tempting to drive beyond the speed limit.

In addition to unsafe road conditions, another factor that should be considered when it comes to traffic accidents is the type of vehicles that are on the road. Many of the vehicles are large, heavy, and powerful. If those vehicles are involved in an accident with a bicyclist or a pedestrian, there is a good chance that the bicyclist or pedestrian will lose their life. The impact will cause tragic results in many cases.

Sound legal advice from a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer

If you have either been injured or have lost a loved one in a traffic accident, you may wish to consult with a personal injury lawyer whose expertise can help you to obtain the compensation that you need and that you and your family deserve. If you have been injured, you will need financial support for medical treatment and other related expenses. If you have lost a loved one in a traffic accident, although no amount of money can bring back your loved one, you and your family deserve compensation for all of the pain and suffering that you have had to endure because of that loss.