As of March 20th, spring is in full effect! In response to the long-awaited warm weather, many people will likely ditch their cars for bikes during their daily commute. As personal injury lawyers in Illinois, we want to make sure you’re educated about bike safety before you trade in four wheels for two.
Wear a Helmet
This goes without saying, but there are always people riding bikes without a helmet. Nearly three-fourths of bicycle accident fatalities involve a head injury, and 97 percent of bicyclists who died were not wearing a helmet. These are staggering numbers that should encourage you to always wear a helmet while riding your bike.
Yield to Traffic Laws
Many bicyclists assume they have the right-of-way on the road, failing to yield to stop signs and red lights. Your bike is your vehicle and you’re the driver, so make sure you obey traffic signs and make turn signals with your hands when necessary.
Check Your Equipment
Before hitting the road, make sure your wheels have enough air and all of your parts are where they should be. If you think something is off, bring your bike into a bike shop to have it checked out.
Avoid Biking at Night
It’s much more difficult for cars to see you at night. If this is unavoidable, make sure you’re wearing reflective clothing and that your bike and your clothes have reflectors.
Our personal injury lawyers in Illinois want this bike-riding season to be the safest yet! If you have questions about bike safety or have recently been injured in an accident, we want to hear about your case. Contact the Law Office of Daniel Goodman today for more information.