Three Common Causes Of A New Haven Bicycle Accident

Sharing the streets with motor vehicles can be a dangerous task if you’re not careful.  Some of the most common causes for getting into a New Haven bicycle accident are due to inexperience or carelessness which can lead to serious injury or worse.  Spending time to understand the dangers that you face when you’re riding your bike in a busy city and how you can avoid the causes of such an accident can keep you safe and free from injury while you’re enjoying a bike ride.

Before you head out on your bike you should always make sure you are wearing a helmet.  While Connecticut law does not require you to wear a helmet as an adult rider, it is one of the best things you can do to make sure you are protected in the event that you do get into an accident.  The other thing you should do before you hop on your bike for a ride is to make sure all of your equipment is functioning properly.  If you’re brakes are not calibrated properly or your chain is loose you could put yourself at risk for getting into an accident that could be dangerous for you.

Once you’ve hit the road for your ride you should be aware of some of the dangerous behaviors you can partake in that could lead to an accident with a motor vehicle that could cause you harm.  While there are many causes of bicycle accidents, some which are out of your control, there are a number of them that you can control and follow safe driving instructions to avoid.  They include;

1.) Weaving around in a crowded traffic situation.  Bicycle riders are much less likely to be seen in an area where there is a high volume of traffic.  If you are trying to make moves to get you to a location more quickly you might put yourself at risk.  Keep in mind that while many bike lanes exist and are marked specifically for you to ride in, they do not always prevent motorists from traveling in these marked areas.  You need to remain alert and ready to make an adjustment to your path if a motor vehicle is shading over into the bike lane.

2.) At intersections you will want to be aware that motorists may encroach on your lane.  If you are riding in a bike lane and coming to an intersection it is quite common for a motorist to turn around a corner while driving into the bike lane.  When this happens if you are not paying attention you may not be able to stop in time causing a serious accident between you and the careless motorist.  The best way to handle this and avoid this type of interaction is to approach intersections carefully and always be ready to brake at any point in your ride.

3.) Avoid getting struck by a motorist who is intending to change directions.  When a vehicle is swinging around to go from one direction to the other it is often an uncertain change for you as a bicycle rider.  When this happens you will want to remain calm and keep your head up so you can do your best to anticipate the movements of the motorist.  If you are paying close attention to the change in direction you will be able to take the steps necessary to avoid an accident and become injured by the driver of the vehicle.

There are many things that cause New Haven bicycle accidents and the most important thing you can do to protect yourself against dangerous driving activity is to remain connected to your ride and always stay focused on the road in front of you.  Becoming relaxed and not entirely focused on the road in front of you could lead to not being able to make the adjustments that are required to keep yourself free from an incident.

If you do become engaged in an accident that involves riding your bike you may need to speak with someone who can help with your situation.  Our experienced attorneys have worked on many situations that involve bicycle accidents and they can work with you to protect your long-term interests.