Accident-Lawyer News: Bike Safety Roundup
The weather just keeps getting better in Meridian. Later this week, we’re supposed to see temperatures reaching the mid-eighties. That means more people will be outside and riding their bikes.
We thought this would be a good time to review bicycle safety from an accident lawyer’s point of view, especially since this is the tail end of Bike Week in Idaho.
May is also Bike Safety Awareness month, and many bikers have noticed the new bike lanes around town. A permanent barrier designed to increase driver awareness buffers the new lanes.
KTVB News reports that the highway department installed the protected bike lanes as part of a pilot program. If all goes well, we could see the program extended throughout the city.
In 2012, the Idaho Transportation Department recorded 389 bicycle crashes, which caused 51 serious injuries. That number represents a 12 percent increase over the previous year.
Hopefully, the new bike lanes will reverse this trend, and we’ll see a decrease in the number of car accidents involving bicyclists this year.
Is the “Idaho Stop” safer for cyclists?
Why does Meridian experience fewer bicycle accidents than other cities that are a similar size? Some point to the “Idaho Stop.”
We were the first state to allow bicyclists to roll through stop signs and treat red lights like stop signs. The Boise Weekly reports that without the law, bicyclists and drivers find it difficult to know what to do at four-way stops, which leads to hesitation and more accidents.
Other states allow this practice in very specific situations. Idaho has had the law on the books since 1982, giving cyclists the freedom to merely slow down at stop signs. However, police can still ticket a biker for speeding straight through a stop sign or red light without decelerating, because it’s dangerous for both the cyclist and other drivers.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a negligent driver while riding your bike, contact us to learn about filing a personal-injury lawsuit. At Johnson and Lundgreen, we are proud to protect the rights of bikers, and we have decades of experience, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.
To arrange a consultation with a Meridian personal injury lawyer, call us today at 1-208-376-5256.
Police Ticket Driver After Car Accident With Cyclist
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that a 19-year-old driver failed to yield to a biker in a crosswalk, causing an accident. The cyclist suffered only minor injuries and did not need medical attention.
Officers issued the driver a $90 ticket for failure to yield.
If you’re planning to ride to work or take your bike out for pleasure this summer, make sure to brush up on your bike laws to decrease the chances of a car accident. Also, if you ride at night, invest in bright clothing and reflectors to increase your visibility.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you won’t be involved in a car accident with a negligent driver, so always wear a helmet.
If you do suffer injuries in an accident, you’ll need an accident attorney on your side to ensure you receive fair compensation.
To schedule a consultation with an accident lawyer from our firm, call us today at 1-208-376-5256.
