Bicycles are a fun and efficient way to get from one place to another, but they can be dangerous when sharing the road with regular-sized motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicyclists are more likely to be injured in a bicycle accident than the occupants of a vehicle. Since bicycle accident injuries can be serious and lead to permanent disability or death, it’s important to look at ways to address and prevent those injuries.

Throughout Illinois, in cities and rural areas, individuals have taken to riding bicycles to get around in a more healthy, cost-effective, and ecofriendly way.  While many drivers have grown accustomed to sharing the roads with bicyclists, accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles still happen. These bicycle accidents are especially dangerous for cyclists because they are more exposed on a bike, and their bodies usually take the force of the blow from the vehicle.

The National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2017, 26 pedalcyclists were killed in traffic accidents in Illinois. Under Illinois law, drivers in the state are responsible for rendering aid to injured cyclists after an accident occurs. This is due to the fact that motor vehicles and bicycles can cause such serious injuries to any cyclists.

As a motorist, you know that you have to share the road with cyclists, but it can be difficult on rural roads. City streets often have bike lanes and more room to allow cyclists to coexist with vehicles.  Rural roads don’t always have as much space for cyclists, and sometimes they don’t even have a shoulder.

When a motorist collides with a cyclist, it can result in catastrophic injuries or cause death.  If you or someone you love has been a victim of a bicycle accident, then you already know how devastating these collisions can be. In order to avoid getting into a wreck with a cyclist, drivers should follow these tips to avoid collisions.