Accidents on a Bicycle in Alabama

Riding a bike is a great form of exercise, an eco-conscious way to commute, and one of the most affordable means of transportation. But riding a bicycle in Alabama has the potential to be dangerous. In fact, Alabama has been ranked last in the nation in terms of bicycle friendly states, a rating that is based on a combination of factors such as bike-friendly laws and policies, infrastructure, advocacy, and legal protections. As the article published by NPR News reports, the Alabama rating has also been negatively affected by the fact that the state has one of the highest rates of bicyclists fatalities.

The fact that Alabama isn’t always a safe place to bike doesn’t mean that you should stop transporting yourself on two wheels. It does mean, however, that it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of bicycle accidents, how to avoid a bicycle accident and reduce your risk of injury if one does happen, and what you should do in the event a bicycle accident occurs.

Common Types of Accidents on a Bicycle

Bicyclist accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including negligence on the part of the bicycle rider, negligence of a driver of a motor vehicle, or a road defect or road hazard. Some of the most common types of accidents on a bicycle include:

• Right hook accidents 

  A right hook accident refers to a scenario in which a vehicle turning to the right crashes into a cyclist. This can happen when a cyclist is continuing straight through an intersection and a vehicle is turning right; when a cyclist passes a car on the right, only to then be struck by the vehicle turning right; or when a car making a right-hand turn cuts off a bicyclist.

• Left cross accidents 

  Similar to a right hook accident, a left cross accident happens when a car and a cyclist are approaching an intersection at the same time and the car, not seeing the bicyclist, makes a left-hand turn in the cyclist’s path.

• “Dooring” accidents 

  Dooring accident are especially scary because they are hard to predict and prevent. This type of accident occurs when a cyclist is traveling down a road where cars are parked or stopped on the right-hand side. When a motorist is not paying attention, they, or a passenger, may open the car door directly into a cyclist’s path.

• Rear end crashes 

  Rear end crashes are common, and happen when a driver neglects to see a cyclist in front of them, crashing into a cyclists rear-end and potentially forcing the cyclist into another vehicle. This type of accident can also occur if the bicyclist makes an illegal maneuver in front of the vehicle.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Bicyclist Accident and Injury

Not all bicycle accidents can be prevented, but there are some things that you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a bicycle accident, or reduce your risk of serious injury if a crash does occur. These include:

• Always bike in bike lanes and bike paths when available;
• Avoid heavily trafficked areas of roadway;
• Always wear a helmet;
• Make sure your bike is equipped with a rear and a front light;
• Wear bicycle-appropriate clothing;
• Wear reflective clothing if biking at night;
• Never bike while distracted or using a cellphone;
• Never bike more than two abreast in a lane;
• Do not swerve in and out of traffic;
• Be aware when passing;
• Make eye contact with drivers before passing or turning in front of them;
• Bike defensively, and do not always assume that cars will yield the right of way; and
• Follow all posted traffic laws.

Remember that bikes in Alabama have the same responsibilities as cars on the road, and are required to follow the same laws.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Bicycle Accident in Alabama

If you are involved in a bicycle accident in Alabama that was caused by no fault of your own, you deserve to be fully compensated for any damages that you suffer. At the offices of Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, our experienced Alabama bicycle accident attorney can explain your rights under the law, represent you during the claims process, and help you to fight for the compensation award that you deserve. To learn more about your rights and options, give our law firm a call today to request a free consultation. For a free consultation, contact Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, at (334) 279-7770 or through our website contact form.