Most Common Places for Bike Accidents

The number of bicyclists on the roads has increased in America over the years thanks to advocacy efforts from groups across the country. While more people choose their car over their bike for commuting, the likelihood of being involved in a bike accident has gone up. In response to the growing number of bicyclists, many cities have invested in infrastructure to support them and embrace this growing movement.

Other cities, unfortunately, are slow to this realization and equally slow to making improvements to mitigate the chances of bike accidents and increase safety for all road users. Until all major cities invest in infrastructure, bike accidents will continue to be a problem.

Let’s evaluate what causes bike accidents to occur, and which cities are the most dangerous in the United States.

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What are Common Causes for Bike Accidents?

In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded a total of 857 bicyclists who were fatally killed in a traffic crash. Despite the country’s awareness of bikers being out on the roads, the number of fatalities remains high each year. To address these bike accident deaths, it’s essential to understand the causes. The following are some of the most common in the United States:

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Distracted Driving

Drivers who don’t pay attention are becoming a growing threat to everyone. According to the CDC, approximately nine people are killed each day, and 1,000 are injured in collisions involving distracted drivers. The NHTSA details that 30% of all bicycle accidents include being struck by a car. The more that people drive distracted, the more bicycle accidents that are likely to occur.

Failure to Yield the Right of Way

Unfortunately, not all bicyclists and drivers understand their full responsibilities when sharing the road. Bicyclists and drivers both need to understand who has the right of way at an intersection, and when bicyclists automatically get the right of way. When a driver fails to yield the right of way to a bicyclist, severe accidents are likely.

rear view of bicyclist in the bike lane wearing a backpack

Failure to Yield the Right of Way

person on a bike just before a bike accident

Distracted Riding

When bicyclists are involved in an accident, they’re likely to suffer severe injuries. With little to no protection, bicyclists have to exercise extreme caution and pay attention when sharing the road with other cars. Like distracted driving, the temptation of checking your cell phone while riding can quickly result in a dangerous collision.

Hazardous Road Conditions

Just as all cities have a responsibility to keep roads safe and hazard-free, the same care must be given to bike lanes. Despite this obligation, many cities do not invest in the care that bike lanes require. Potholes and loose gravel can easily cause a bicyclist to lose balance and suffer injuries as they fall off their bike.

Hazardous Road Conditions

In Which Cities are Bike Accidents Most Common?

Cities and urban areas are the most common places for bike accidents. With heavier-traveled roads accommodating pedestrians, bikers, and motor vehicles, they have fewer safety features than those in rural areas.

According to the NHTSA’s most recent data, the following cities are the most dangerous for bike accidents, based on the percentage of traffic fatalities that involve bicyclists and how safe the city is for bikers in general:

10) Los Angeles, California

Bicyclist fatality rate: 5 per 1 million people
Population: 3,999,759
Total traffic fatalities: 257
Total bicyclist fatalities: 14

9) Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bicyclist fatality rate: 58 per 1 million people
Population: 558,545
Total traffic fatalities: 84
Total bicyclist fatalities: 2

8) San Jose, California

Bicyclist fatality rate: 86 per 1 million people
Population: 1,035, 317
Total traffic fatalities: 45
Total bicyclist fatalities: 4

7) Seattle, Washington

Bicyclist fatality rate: 14 per 1 million people
Population: 724,745
Total traffic fatalities: 30
Total bicyclist fatalities: 3

6) Jacksonville, Florida

Bicyclist fatality rate: 48 per 1 million people
Population: 892,062
Total traffic fatalities: 145
Total bicyclist fatalities: 4

5) Austin, Texas

Bicyclist fatality rate: 26 per 1 million people
Population: 950,715
Total traffic fatalities: 80
Total bicyclist fatalities: 5

4) Fresno, California

Bicyclist fatality rate: 69 per 1 million people
Population: 527,438
Total traffic fatalities: 61
Total bicyclist fatalities: 3

3) Charlotte, North Carolina

Bicyclist fatality rate: 82 per 1 million people
Population: 859,035
Total traffic fatalities: 103
Total bicyclist fatalities: 5

2) Sacramento, California

Bicyclist fatality rate: 98 per 1 million people
Population: 501,901
Total traffic fatalities: 69
Total bicyclist fatalities: 3

1) Phoenix, Arizona

Bicyclist fatality rate: 61 per 1 million people
Population: 1,626,078
Total traffic fatalities: 249
Total bicyclist fatalities: 14

Bicycle Accident Attorneys at The Barnes Firm

Bike accidents can happen anywhere. While there are steps bicyclists and drivers can both take to keep roads safer for everyone, sometimes a collision can’t be prevented. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, the bicycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm want to help.

The personal injury team at The Barnes Firm is here to help individuals and their families who have suffered in an accident caused by another at-fault party. Many of our lawyers have received awards, like The Best Lawyers in America, that demonstrate their hard work and dedication. If you’d like to speak with one of our experienced bicycle accident attorneys over a free consultation, complete an online contact form or call us at (800) 800-0000.

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