According to a new government report, collisions between bicycles and automobiles are on the rise, with many accidents in the United States involving cyclists who were not wearing helmets, or who had consumed alcohol before biking. According to the Spotlight on Highway Safety report, issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association, cycling deaths from a collision with a motor vehicle increased 16% between 2010 and 2012. If you have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Atlanta, Marietta, or elsewhere in Georgia, contact our reputable cycling accident lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today for legal help. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our attorneys have extensive experience protecting the rights of bicycle accident victims across the state.
Cycling Accident Injuries & Fatalities
Cycling has increased in popularity in states across the country, and the data from this new report indicates a coinciding increase in deaths from bicycle-motor vehicle accidents. According to the report, which was compiled using data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the number of cycling accident fatalities involving motor vehicles in the U.S. climbed from 621 in 2010 to 680 in 2012 – an increase of 16%. As more adults take up cycling, whether for health, environmental or recreational reasons, the risk of deadly bicycle accidents in Georgia and throughout the United States is on the rise.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Dr. Allan Williams, the lead author of the study, indicates that the rise in cycling accident deaths is primarily associated with a decline in adults wearing bicycle helmets, and an increase in the likelihood of adults consuming alcohol before getting on a bike. In the report, researchers noted that in 2012, only 17% of the cyclists killed in collisions were wearing helmets, and 28% were 16 years of age or older and had blood-alcohol levels that surpassed the legal limit. In addition to urging cyclists to ride sober and wear helmets, the researchers involved in this new study are advising motorists to pay more attention to bicyclists on roadways in Georgia and across the country, in order to reduce the risk of bicycle accident injuries and deaths.
Contact Our GA Cycling Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in a Georgia bicycle accident, or you lost a loved one in a fatal cycling wreck with a motor vehicle, consult our knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death suit against the driver found at-fault in the collision, in order to pursue financial compensation for your losses. With our experienced personal injury lawyers on your side, you can protect your legal rights and seek the reimbursement you and your family are entitled to.
