With Deerfield Beach, Florida’s beautiful weather it’s no wonder that many residents enjoy bicycling. It’s not only an awesome way to enjoy the great outdoors, but it also proves to be a good work out. A part of biking in Florida is bike lanes on the road. Many bikers choose to go on these lanes as it’s a flat surface and a great way to cover long distances; however, riding on the road does not come without its risks. Sometimes, you may not even have the choice between a sidewalk or the bike lane, making it even more important to be aware of some safe bicycling practices. When it comes to biking, we all know some of the standard rules such as wearing bright clothing at night and wearing a helmet; however, when you bike on the road there are a few other guidelines worth following to minimize your risk. Following these guidelines, the best you can, will keep you safe and keep drivers on the road safe. Although, if you are involved in an accident, contact Lieberman Injury Law for all of your bicycle case and claim needs.
We even offer a free consultation so you can determine if pursuing a case is right for you.
Here are the tips we recommend to avoid bicycle accidents and personal injury cases in Deerfield Beach:
Tip #1: Wear a Helmet
Although we did mention this tip as something everyone already knows, it’s worth mentioning again as so many people do not follow it. Wearing a helmet can make the difference between your bicycling accident being fatal or not. Helmets protect one of the most important parts of the human body: your head and brain. If you get hit with a helmet on you can have peace of mind knowing one of the most important parts of the body will be protected. Most bicycling accidents that result in death are because of a head injury.
Tip #2: Follow the Flow of Traffic in the Bike Lane
When riding your bike in the bike lanes it’s important to always follow the direction of traffic. You and the cars should be going in the same direction. You are much less likely to be hit if you are following the flow of traffic. Also, if you do happen to get hit going against the flow of traffic, you may be found at fault. It’s also important to always ride your bike in the bike lane. More and more cities are adding these lanes and making them larger to accommodate bicyclist\’s needs if you don’t ride in them, the improvements are going to be seen as unnecessary. Following the laws of bicycling will keep you safe now but will also improve the safety of bikers in the future.
Tip #3: Ride the Bike like You Drive a Car
This tip is not a commonly heard one, but it is so important for bicyclists to be aware of it. Riding a bike does not mean you get a free pass and can be reckless or unpredictable. There are still rules and guidelines on what to do and what not to do. Riding the bike as if you are in a car is a great rule of thumb. This includes going with the flow of traffic, staying in the bike lane, not weaving in and out of traffic, and following traffic signals. Not only will this keep you from being hit by drivers, but it also will allow you to stay aware of what is going on. Drivers are mostly looking out for cars when driving, unexpectedly running a red light may end up in a collision.
Contact Us Today
If you do follow all of these guidelines and happen to be hit by a motorist, know that it is not your fault. In this situation, the best thing to do is to document everything and call an attorney from Lieberman Injury Law. Our team can listen to your situation during your free consultation and let you know the value of your case. If it’s something you want to pursue, we will make sure you get the justice you deserve. While doing all of this, we also can help you out with your claim. To learn more about Lieberman Injury Law, or to get your free consultation, give us a call today at (954) 596-9944.