Southern California is a bike-riders paradise in many ways; it is beautiful all year long, many cities have bike-friendly streets, and there are miles and miles of coastal boardwalks that can be ridden. However, it is also one of the states with the highest number of bike accidents. Read on to discover some of the steps you can take to reduce your chance of being involved in a bike accident, but if you already have been, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Ride with Traffic
It is essential that you ride with traffic at all times. In fact, you should not only be riding with the flow of traffic, you should be obeying the same laws the cars are. You should ride to the right side of the street, stop at all stop signs, stop at all stoplights, and follow other laws of the road. Do not ride between cars that are stopped at a light.
Use a Bike Lane
While there are not always bike lanes, if you are riding a bike on a street that does have bike lanes, you should use them. In fact, the law requires that you do so if you are riding slower than the normal traffic speed. There are two exceptions: If you are passing a bike, parked vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstacle located in the bike lane or if you are getting ready to turn left.
Learn and Use Hand Signals
Cars use turn signals to let those around them know they are turning and you should do the same. You do not have a taillight, but you can use hand signals. You can find videos online that outline all the ways in which you can signal to drivers and other bike riders.
Use Lights and Reflectors if You Are Riding at Night
Preferably, you would only ride during the day when you can clearly see. If that is not possible, then you should have lights and reflectors. If a car hits you because you had no lights and they could not see you, you could be found at fault for the accident. This would leave you not only paying for your own injuries but paying for the driver’s injuries and the damage to their vehicle. You should be sure that your bike is visible from 300 feet away.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney if You Are Injured in a Bike Accident
Of course, nothing can keep you 100% safe on a bike. If you end up injured in an accident in which someone else was at fault – even partially – then it is worth contacting The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation. We can outline your legal options so you know how to best move forward.
