Bicycle accidents have become a common occurrence with the number of vehicles increasing on the road every day. One of the major contributing factors to bicycle accidents is distracted driving, especially when texting or talking on a cell phone.
The injuries caused by bicycle accidents can range from minor to fatal. There are many ways you can reduce the chance of being in a bicycle accident. The dangers will continue, however, with thousands more cars on the road in Ontario and the use of cell phones while driving. You should speak to an Ontario, CA personal injury lawyer after being in a bicycle accident to find out if you have a case.
Let us now look into the common causes of bicycle accidents in Ontario, CA.
- Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the major reasons behind bicycle accidents. A lot of people are seen texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. This is dangerous and can cause fatal accidents. Distracted driving is not only limited to texting and talking on a cell phone. Many other distractions cause serious accidents behind the wheel. Scrolling through social media, looking at directions, and even eating food can lead to collisions.
- Speeding
If you are a driver, you should always be aware of your speed. You should do the same while cycling. Speeding is another major cause of bicycle accidents. All too often, bicyclists don’t use signals to indicate their intentions, and that leads to crashes from motorists turning into them on blind turns.
- Unsafe lane changes
Changing lanes without signaling can lead to accidents. When a motorist changes lanes without warning, they usually take it too fast. The driver needs to exercise more caution and slow down while changing lanes to avoid accidents.
- Weaving through traffic
Weaving through traffic is a motorist's mistake that can cause bicycle accidents. It is a common practice of motorists when they want to pass. Weaving is dangerous as you may be going too fast for the situation and end up causing an accident with other vehicles.
- Running a red light or stop sign
Bicyclists often run a red light, stop sign, etc. This can cause accidents as it exposes them to being hit by oncoming traffic. They are supposed to understand the laws and act accordingly.