Deadly Bicycle Accidents
Pedalcyclists are defined as bicyclists and other cyclists including riders of two-wheel, nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals.
Overview
In the latest year recorded there were 857 pedal cyclist deaths, representing 2.3 percent of all traffic fatalities during the year.
Seventy-nine percent of pedalcyclists deaths in 2018 occurred in urban areas as opposed to rural areas (21%).
Alcohol was involved – either for the motor vehicle driver or for the pedalcyclist – in 37 percent of all fatal pedalcyclist crashes in 2018.
Twenty-six percent of the pedalcyclists who died in had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .01 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or greater.
Environmental Characteristics
Twenty-nine percent of the pedalcyclist fatalities occurred at intersections, 60 percent occurred at locations that were not intersections, and the remaining 11 percent occurred at other locations such as roadsides/shoulders, parking lanes/zones, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, medians/crossing islands, driveway accesses, shared-use paths/trails, non-traffic way areas, and other sites.
More pedalcyclist fatalities occurred in the dark (50%) than in daylight (46%), dusk (2%), and dawn (2%).
Important Safety Reminders
- All bicyclists are advised to wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.
- Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators; hence they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
- When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Motor vehicle drivers are encouraged to share the road with bicyclists. Be courteous – allow at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or right.
- Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, and at dawn and dusk. To be noticed when riding at night, use a front light and a red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.
Age and Sex
The average age of pedalcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2018 was 47. In 2018 the majority of pedalcyclists killed (86%) were males. Persons aged 50 to 54 years recorded the largest number of pedalcyclist fatalities. The highest pedalcyclist injury rate by age group were those 20-to-24 and 15-to-19 (285 and 268 per million population, respectively).
In 2018 children under 15 accounted for 4 percent of all pedalcyclists killed. And the population-based injury rate for children under 15 was 83.
Alcohol
Alcohol involvement (BAC of .01+ g/dL) – either for a motor vehicle driver involved in a fatal pedalcyclist crash and/or the killed pedalcyclist – was reported in 37 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedalcyclist fatalities in 2018.
An estimated 20 percent of fatal pedalcyclist crashes each had a pedalcyclist with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.
An estimated 15 percent of fatal pedalcyclist crashes each had a driver with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher. Note that a BAC of .08 g/dL is the legal
Vehicle Type and Impact Point
Of the 804 pedalcyclists killed in single-vehicle crashes, 99 percent (795) were killed in crashes where the first harmful event was collision with a pedalcyclist.
In 2018:
- Pedalcyclists who died in single-vehicle crashes were most likely to be struck by the front of the vehicles.
- Light trucks were the most frequently involved vehicle in motor vehicle crashes in which a pedalcyclist was killed.
- Forty-five percent (356 of the 795) of the pedalcyclists killed were contacted by light trucks. In 88 percent (313) of these crashes, the pedalcyclist came in contact with the front of the light truck.
- Bus and large truck had the highest percentage of right-side impacts, accounting for 29 and 24 percent of the fatalities, respectively, whereas for passenger vehicles this percentage was 5 percent. Large trucks also had the highest percentage of rear impact.
Fatalities by State
In 2018, Florida had the highest pedalcyclist fatalities (161), followed by California (155), and Texas (69). Every other State had 30 or fewer pedalcyclist fatalities. There were no pedalcyclist fatalities in Alaska, Nebraska, South Dakota, Vermont or Wyoming.
The highest fatality rate per million population was in Florida (7.56 fatalities per million residents) followed by Louisiana (6.22 fatalities per million residents), compared to the national rate of 2.62. Of those States that experienced pedalcyclist fatalities, Connecticut had the lowest fatality rate per million population (0.28) followed by Missouri (0.33).
Bicyclist dies in crash on McGregor Boulevard
A bicyclist was killed after a crash that occurred on McGregor Boulevard and Kapok Court on Friday, Florida Highway Patrol reported.
According the officials, the bicyclist was a 63-year-old Fort Myers man.
Troopers revealed that he was attempting to cross all lanes of McGregor Boulevard when he was struck by a car.
The car was driven by an 85-year-old Fort Myers man, according to FHP.
The bicyclist was taken to Healthpark Hospital and later pronounced dead.
Authorities did not reveal any further details on the crash but said the incident remains under investigation.
What To Do If You Are Involved In A Bicycle Accident
The initial step in pursuing an accident involving a bicycle is to contact an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the many questions that you will have about the legal process and potential compensation for your medical bills and other possible claims. An attorney will investigate to determine who caused the accident and who is responsible. They will review accident reports, speak to witnesses and other evidence to determine accident fault. They will ensure that all filing deadlines are met, including notice requirements for claims against the government.
Accidents involving bicyclists sometimes have one or more drivers involved. This means that there are times that multiple insurance companies will be involved. Our team of lawyers will negotiate with all parties at fault, and their insurance companies, with the goal to reach a settlement agreement without ever having to go to an actual trial. If they cannot reach an agreement that provides you with the compensation that you deserve, they will then pursue your financial recovery in court.
In an Accident Involving a Bicyclist? The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help.
For more information please contact us.
Call the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine at (800) 747-3733 for a free consultation.
