How safe are bicyclists on the roadways?

By |2022-01-05T19:38:01+00:00October 12th, 2017|

On behalf of Easton & Easton, LLP posted in Bike Accidents on Saturday, October 21, 2017.

As more and more people enjoy bicycling, bicycle riders and their families may wonder how safe they are on the roadways. While bicycling is a relatively safe activity, Orange County families might not be quite as safe as they feel when they are out on a ride.

During 2015, a total of 818 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, which was an increase from 729 bicyclists killed in bicycle versus motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. during 2014. Additionally, approximately 45,000 bicyclists were injured in motor vehicle versus bicycle accidents during 2015, which was similar to the number of bicycle accident victims injured during 2014.

Unfortunately, bicyclists can suffer catastrophic harm, and may be killed, in accidents with motor vehicles, to which they are particularly vulnerable. Of the bicyclists killed in 2015, 96 percent of them, or 783, were killed in single-vehicle accidents. In addition, in 84 percent of the fatal crashes, the bicyclist was impacted by the front of the motor vehicle it was in an accident with.

During 2015, there were 129 victims killed in bicycle accidents in California. Of the 129 bicycle accident fatalities in California during 2015, 16 occurred in the Los Angeles area. Bicycle accident victims and their families can suffer several different types of harm as a result of a bicycle accident. Personal injury and wrongful death legal options help protect victims of0 bicycle accidents and their families. Victims may be able to recover compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages, as well as wrongful death damages in circumstances of fatal accidents.

Because of the extensive nature of the harm bicyclists are likely to suffer when struck by a car, it is important for them to be familiar the personal injury claims process which can be brought against a negligent driver responsible for the accident. Legal protections help victims recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional costs and suffering following a bicycle accident.

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Doug Easton has practiced law since 1971. After 20 years of practicing with various large litigation firms, he founded the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton in 1991 as a solo practitioner. In the years that followed, Doug’s sons Brian and Matt joined him in the practice and helped build the firm into a powerful force to help right the wrongs done to their clients. Much of their success over the years has stemmed from the dynamic created by the familial nature of the firm and how harmoniously they all work together, each of their individual strengths complementing and fortifying the group as a whole. Accordingly, the firm changed its name to Easton & Easton, LLP in 2014 to better reflect the true dynamic of the firm and Doug now serves as Managing Partner of Easton & Easton. In 2015, Doug was selected as a Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in California by The American Society of Legal Advocates. In addition, Doug is listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who, and in 2008 was named its “Professional of the Year” in Medical Malpractice.
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