STUDY FINDS DRAMATIC RISE IN BIKE ACCIDENT FATALITIES
May 3, 2018
The Phoenix bicycle accident lawyers of Wattel & York are concerned about the dramatic rise in bicycle-related fatalities detailed in a report released earlier this month. According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), bike riding fatalities have increased by 16%over the past three years in a period when deaths associated with other types of vehicle crashes rose only 1%.
The study found that whereas 621 cyclists were killed in crashes in 2010, that number rose to 680 in 2011, and increased again in 2012 to 722. Bicycle safety experts are troubled by this trend, especially as the number of such deaths had been gradually declining between 1975 and 2010.
At Wattel & York, we represent those who have been injured in bicycle accidents or the families of those who have suffered wrongful death in such accidents. We want to see justice done for those who have suffered because of the negligence of others. If you are unsure of your next course of action where legal representation is concerned, we can provide you with the answers that you are seeking at this time.
PHOENIX BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS ANSWER YOUR LEGAL QUERIES
The study suggests a number of factors related to the rise in fatalities. The primary factor seems to be the dramatic rise in the number of bicyclists who commute to work, particularly in urban settings. Since 2000, statisticians have noted a 62% increase in such bike commuters. Where bike riders and vehicles are packed together in a fast past city, there has been an increase in accidents.
The study notes that two-thirds of the riders who were killed were not wearing a helmet and that 28% of bicyclists above the age of 16 had a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or higher. The GHSA is investigating ways of revamping education initiatives to increase helmet wearing and decrease the incidences of drunk riding.
As the study shows, many factors can contribute to a bicycle fatality. In some cases, bicyclists themselves should take responsibility for actions conducive to their own safety (such as helmet wearing). In other cases, however, drivers of other vehicles have been negligent about the way that they share (or don’t share) the road with cyclists according to the rules of traffic safety. If you have been involved in a bike accident or have lost a close relative in such an accident, you may have many questions about legal liability and the advisability of filing a lawsuit. At Wattel & York, we have answers.
SHOULD YOU FILE AN ARIZONA BIKE ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?
Not everyone is entitled to filing a bike accident lawsuit in Arizona, but the best way to determine the viability of such a claim is to speak to experts in the area who can offer you sound legal advice. If you are concerned about cost, you needn’t be. At Wattel & York, we offer an initial consultation that is without cost and without obligation. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means we only collect when you do.
In the event that bringing this matter to court would be in your best interests, our attorneys offer representation informed by years of successful litigation that will help relieve financial burdensyou may be experiencing in the wake of such an accident in Phoenix or the surrounding areas.
Please contact us at 1-877-225-5562 to better understand your legal options.
Resources:
Washington Post, Rise in U.S. Bicycle Fatalities Concerns Safety Advocates http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2014/10/27/rise-in-u-s-bicycle-fatalities-concerns-safety-advocates/
GHSA, Bicyclist Safety http://www.ghsa.org/issues/bicyclists-pedestrians
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