Living in Palm Harbor or St Petersburg, FL, you’re bound to encounter numerous bicyclists. As a vehicle owner in the area, you know you’ll need to share the road with them.
Unfortunately, sharing the road with some bicyclists doesn’t work out so well. Some of them aren’t very cautious. Sometimes they may even be at fault when a collision occurs. Of course, there may also be at fault sometimes.
Car accidents involving bicyclists don’t have to make you anxious. Knowing what to do when they occur will help calm your nerves. Take a few minutes to learn how to better share the road with them.
Tips for Preventing Bicycle Accidents in Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg FL
Bicycle accidents happen for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons include speeding, intoxication, and poor signage or road maintenance.
Regardless of what caused the bicycle accident, both drivers and riders can prevent these car accidents in the future. For the sake of prevention, you must understand your role in preventing these accidents.
Tips for Drivers
As a driver, some of the things that you can do to prevent these car accidents include:
- Be on the lookout for bikes, especially in your blind spots
- Drive defensively and use your signals correctly
- Never drive when intoxicated or distracted
- Give bikes plenty of room
Tips for Bicyclists
Some precautions you can take as a bicyclist to avoid these bicycle accidents include:
- Use lights, reflective gear, and a helmet
- Watch for drivers to ensure that they see you
- Obey traffic rules (e.g., driving with the traffic as if you’re a car)
- When possible, use bike trails or lanes instead of busy streets
- Make proper use of your signals, so you remain predictable
- In situations with low visibility (e.g., bad weather, nighttime), be extra cautious
- Give motorists room and respect
- Avoid motorists’ blind spots whenever possible
How to Handle Car Accidents Involving Bicyclists
If you’re in a bicycle accident, you should stop and exchange contact information. Avoid discussing what caused the accident. Neither of you is likely to specialize in car accidents, so you won’t be able to determine liability. Instead, focus on getting as much documentation as possible (e.g., photographs, notes, contact information from witnesses).
When you’re in one of these accidents, it’s common for the driver to be automatically blamed, even if it isn’t their fault. If you’re injured, you should speak with a personal injury attorney immediately. Doing so will allow you to establish the case’s facts so you can seek compensation for your injuries.
Getting the Help You Need After an Accident
At Blenner Law Group, we understand that accidents happen. When they do, it shouldn’t be the end of the world for you. Instead, you should remember to reach out to us.
Over the years, we’ve helped numerous people during such unfortunate times in their lives. We’ve been able to help relieve the stress and anxiety they’ve felt during these times. We look forward to helping you too, so contact us today.
Picture Credit: Crello