If a reckless driver collides with you while you are riding a bike, you could face many difficulties afterward. If you suffer an injury, you might have to take time off of work. Moreover, an injury could lead to costly medical bills, high levels of physical pain and other consequences. Sadly, you are especially vulnerable when you ride a bike, and many cyclists suffer serious injuries or lose their lives due to these collisions.
It is beneficial for drivers and bicyclists to take a look at bike accident data to develop a clearer understanding of risk factors and the impact of these collisions.
Statistics shed light on cyclist injuries and deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention goes over bicycle collisions and states that each year, 130,000 cyclists become injured in roadway accidents. Furthermore, the CDC reports that almost 1,000 bicyclists lose their lives in accidents on the road per year. These accidents can have a significant impact on the lives of cyclists and their loved ones, and they can also lead to significant expenses.
In fact, during a typical year, the economic impact of bike accident injuries and fatalities exceeds $23 billion in the U.S.
Recognizing bike accident risk factors
Alcohol plays a role in roughly one out of every three deadly bike accidents, and most cyclist fatalities happen on urban roads. Male cyclists are five times more likely to become injured in an accident in comparison to females, and cyclists between the ages of 10 and 24 make up almost one out of every three emergency department visits due to bike accident injuries.
If a negligent driver caused you to sustain a serious injury in a bike accident, take prompt action.
