Bicycle accidents are more common than you’d think. According to recent statistics, 130,000 bicyclists are injured in road accidents each year. Many of these accidents are fatal or contribute to life-threatening injuries.

Here’s how you can avoid bicycle accidents.

Plan Your Route Ahead of Time

While there’s a first time for everything, it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with bike lanes and paths and research the route you plan on taking. This will help you be more aware of your surroundings when you’re riding a bike and know when to look out for traffic signals, stop signs, and turns.

It’ll also help you get a better idea of the traffic situation during a particular time of the day and take extra measures to prevent bicycle accidents.

Don’t Assume Drivers Can See You

Bicycle accidents can also be avoided if you actively work on being more visible on the road instead of assuming drivers can see you. While ideally motorists should be keeping an eye out for bicyclists, this isn’t always the case. They might completely miss seeing a bicyclist or spot them a few seconds too late, causing an accident.

The best way to avoid this is by making sure motorists around you can see you. Stay in their line of vision instead of lurking in the corners. If a car coming your way doesn’t seem to be slowing down, don’t wait for it to decelerate. Instead, slow down your vehicle to send a signal and make the driver aware of your presence.

Similarly, don’t assume drivers know where you’re headed; you need to actively communicate with them.

Use Hand Signals

Finally, make sure you use the appropriate hand signals while riding a bike to ensure your safety. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a biking trail or the main road; hand signals should be incorporated irrespective of where you’re biking to communicate with pedestrians, motorists, and other bicyclists.

It’s best to signal every move, even if you’re in a low-traffic area. It allows other people on the road to know where you’re headed and adjust accordingly. Think of it this way: you use car signals to let other motorists know you intend on switching lanes or making a turn. The same rules apply when you’re riding a bicycle. Using hand signals helps prevent traffic accidents and allows you to be clear and predictable about your moves when you’re surrounded by other vehicles or pedestrians.

Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Despite your best efforts, bicycle accidents may still happen if other bicyclists or motorists are careless. If you get injured because of someone else’s negligence, you need to hire a bicycle accident attorney at the earliest.

Our team at The Bourassa Law Group can help you with your case. Call us at (800)870-8910 to learn more! We also have asset protection attorneys, car accident lawyers, and pedestrian accident lawyers on board.

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