Drivers Should Know the Dangers That Cyclists Face

The harsh reality is that when a person rides a bicycle, they are at risk of being involved in an accident at any given moment. This is not only because cyclists do not have a shield or seatbelt to protect themselves, but it is also because motor vehicle drivers fail to take the proper precautions when driving around cyclists.

A popular YouTuber based in London who goes by the name CycleGaz is starting a trend by showing his daily commute on his bicycle. The video footage is taken by his helmet camera, but he makes it look like a vehicle dash camera. The goal of this experiment is to show motor vehicle drivers a different perspective of a cyclist commuting on the roadways every day.

When people look at this YouTuber’s videos, they can quickly notice that motorists do not respect cyclists on the roads, making every bicycle rider’s commute a terrifying experience. By seeing the video footage from the perspective of a car, many people realize that what happens to cyclists does not typically happen to motor vehicle drivers.

CycleGaz first uploads the footage from the perspective of a cyclist. Then, he uploads the same video footage from a vehicle dashboard perspective. This is a very informative comparison that he hopes will bring awareness and change to bicycle safety across the world. Many people in the United States are starting to use this same technique to show drivers just how dangerous it is for cyclists to ride their bicycles.

The number of fatal bicycle accidents is increasing

According to Cycling Weekly, bicycle traffic fatalities have seen an increase of almost 60 percent in the last decade. In fact, there were over 8,000 cyclists killed while riding their bicycles from 2011 to 2021.

In 2021 alone, there were about 1,000 people killed while riding their bicycles in the United States, which was the highest number of bicycle fatalities in about 50 years. This means that about 20 cyclists are killed every week in America.

Common dangers to bicyclists in Nashville

Although cyclists can be involved in a bicycle accident at any given moment, there are several different circumstances that bring greater risks of injury. The following are a few of the most common dangers that Nashville cyclists often face:

• Intersections: Many times, intersection accidents happen because a motorist will claim that they did not see the cyclist before turning onto the main road. However, it is the motor vehicle driver’s responsibility to make sure that they check all their surroundings and look more than once for a cyclist before proceeding.
• Parked vehicles: When a driver parks their vehicle on the side of the road, they should check their mirrors and blind spots before opening the door. If they do not do this, they can hit a cyclist who is passing by with their door. (This is called “dooring.”) This can severely injure the cyclist or even cause them to fall off the bike.
• Traffic circles (roundabouts): Circles are risky for motorists, so it is not shocking to learn that they are also dangerous for cyclists. If possible, cyclists should try to avoid routes where there are traffic circles. The reason for this is because when a motor vehicle driver is entering the circle, they may not see the cyclist. This can cause a dangerous and fatal accident very quickly.
• Potholes: Potholes can be extremely dangerous for cyclists, especially if they are unnoticed. For example, if a cyclist is riding very fast and comes across a pothole with no time to stop or slow down, they may end up crashing their bike or even falling off.

Seven causes of bicycle accidents involving motorist negligence

There are a few different reasons why bicycle accidents involving motorists tend to happen. Most of the time, they are due to the motorist’s negligent or careless driving behavior. The following are seven causes of these types of accidents:

1. Speeding
2. Distracted driving
3. Not providing enough space
4. Unsafe lane changes
5. Failing to yield
6. Driving while intoxicated
7. Drowsy driving

Cyclists can sustain life-altering injuries in a crash

Since bicycles do not have the same protections as motor vehicles, cyclists are at risk of severe, life-threatening injuries. The reason for this is because the human body cannot withstand the amount of force or impact that a motor vehicle can cause. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we represent cyclists who have suffered serious injuries such as:

• Broken, fractured, or crushed bones
• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Brain injuries
• Cuts or lacerations
• Concussions
• Paralysis
• Back or spinal cord injuries
• Severe bruises or road burn
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Eye injuries

If you have recently been injured in a bicycle accident, reach out to Rocky McElhaney Law Firm to learn about your legal rights. These types of accidents can be life-changing, which is why you may be entitled to financial compensation to recover your losses.

Our Nashville personal injury lawyers believe that no one should go through this alone, so give us a call or submit our contact form to request a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience. Our team is located in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville, and we look forward to assisting you through these trying times.

Related:

• Don’t Sleep and Drive in Tennessee, Folks. It’s Against the Law.