Three Things To Avoid A New Haven Bicycle Accident Towards The End Of Winter

The calendar still officially says that it is winter and the weather outside is still feeling a little chilly, but those among us who love to get out and ride our bicycles are itching to get back out on the road.  In fact, at even the first tiny signs of spring we’re headed out back on the streets of the Elm City and ready to get riding.

There are some unique challenges when you are out riding towards the end of winter that could cause a New Haven bicycle accident.  Acknowledging these challenges and being aware of them while you’re riding is a good way to protect yourself and make sure you are not getting injured when you’re out for a ride.

When you’re gearing up for a bike ride through the city and the mercury still says it is winter you will want to make sure to keep an eye out for the following and avoid them at all cost.

1. Puddles.  When you’re out riding and you’re confident that the weather has warmed up past the point of ice, you can fly through puddles and enjoy the splash of water that comes up from your tires while you speed off ahead.  In the late winter months though, you can’t be certain if that puddle is all water and if it happens to have even just a little bit of ice in it, riding at full speed all the way through it could lead to a dangerous situation and get you into an accident that you weren’t expecting.
2. Snowbanks.  There may be some snow banks on some corners and none on others so you will want to avoid the corners that have snowbanks if you can.  Peering out around a snowbank to see on-coming traffic can be a challenge and should be avoided at all costs.  For that matter, on-coming traffic’s ability to see you on your bike is severely hindered by snowbanks and the lack of visibility they present.
3. Pot holes.  The winter does huge damage to our roads and throughout the city you may have even been driving your car and hit one of these potholes and had damage done to your vehicle.  Now imagine hitting one of them at full speed on your bike and how that might impact your ability to control your bike and avoid an accident.  You should always be on the lookout for potholes this time of year because they can be particularly damaging and can lead to real issues when riding on two wheels.

There is nothing more refreshing after a long winter of staying indoors and avoiding the frigid air then being able to hit the road on your bike and finally feel the cool air on your face once again.  Just make sure that you are taking the proper precautions so that your exhilarating bike ride doesn’t turn into a disastrous New Haven bike accident.

No matter how or why your accident happened you may need to speak with an experienced attorney who can review your case.  Contact our office and one of our attorneys will speak with you and work with you to make sure we protect your long-term interests.