Top 5 Causes of Bike Accidents

Bike accidents involving a vehicle usually happen because the driver is not paying attention or a driver fails to yield to the cyclist. Below are five scenarios of the top reasons bike accidents occur.

Top Five Causes of Bike Accidents

1. A car pulls out in front of a biker from a side street.

To avoid it: When you are biking, make yourself aware to drivers by being visible. Wear brightly colored clothing, use a headlight or flashing light even during the day. Make eye contact, wave or yell so you know the driver is aware of you. Anticipate cars pulling out from the right and prepare yourself to stop if needed. You can also ride further out to the left to create more angels of visibility and giving you more time to move out of the way if necessary.

2. A car attempts to make a right turn in front of a biker.

To avoid it: Ride further left in the lane so a car can’t get around you as easily. If a car still cuts you off, riding further to the left will give you more room to swerve if necessary.

3. A parked car opens their car door blocking the biker without enough time to stop or swerve out of the way.

To avoid it: Ride further to the left even if it puts you more into the lane of traffic. You could also keep a look out for cars parking or drivers sitting in their car.

4. A biker is hit from the rear end. Rear end collisions are the most common way drunk drivers hurt or kill bikers.

To avoid it: Ride on roads with less traffic and be visible. Wear headlights, taillights, reflective gear or anything else that will make you stand out to drivers.

5. A biker attempts to make a left hand turn in front of a biker.

To avoid it: Ride where you can be seen. Drivers generally won’t see you riding on the sidewalk so ride on the street. Be aware of what is coming up in front of you to avoid traffic, bushes or parked cars.

Though you can ride in the street, be courteous of drivers and abide by traffic laws.

Hire Personal Injury Attorney, Mat Parke

If you or someone you know has been involved in a bicycle accident, call Parke Gordon Law Firm at 509-482-7274 for legal help.

Spokane, Washington Law Office

Our Spokane, Washington law office services clients in and surrounding Spokane, including for injuries and accidents in Spokane Valley and injuries and accidents in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Visit or call our Spokane office now.

Parke Gordon LLC 421 W Riverside, Suite 515 Spokane, WA 99201 Phone:(509) 482-7274