Once again, this month is heralded as “Bicycle Safety Month” by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Each May, NHTSA is joined by both state agencies and non-profit safety advocates in a month-long effort to remind drivers (as well as those who are riding bikes) to be aware of the dangers of a serious or fatal bicycle accident.
From NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King: “We encourage bicyclists and motorists to put safety first. Take simple precautions – remain focused to the road and the traffic around you; anticipate what others may do, before they do.”
Each year, we join in Bicycle Safety Month, knowing first-hand how tragic a fatal bicycle accident can be for the accident victim and his or her loved ones. Often, these bicycle tragedies involve children or young adults who are hit by a motor vehicle while riding their bike with little chance of surviving the impact. See, e.g., Bicycle Safety and National Bike Safety Month: May 2017.
But are these awareness campaigns doing enough to stop fatal bike crashes? Consider the following:
May 2018 Begins With Fatal Indiana Bicycle Crash
Sadly, this month began for our part of the country with a fatal bicycle accident involving a gifted young Purdue University student in Lafayette, Indiana.
According to news reports, his bicycle was hit by a Dodge pickup truck as it entered the intersection of Lindberg Road and County Road 400 W. For details, read the May 1, 2018, news coverage by Fox59, “Purdue student critically injured after bike is struck by vehicle.”
Taken from the scene for emergency treatment at the local hospital, the young man heartbreakingly died from the traumatic injuries sustained in the bicycle accident that next day. For more on this story, read the article written by Ron Wilkins and published by the Journal & Courier entitled, “Purdue student dies from his injuries suffered in bike accident.”
Few Days Earlier, Serious Bicycle Accident in Terre Haute
Early on the Sunday morning before this fatal Indiana bicycle accident, a man was riding his bicycle in Terre Haute, Indiana, when he was hit by a 2005 Ford Mustang. The bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Voorhees Street.
The bicyclist suffered head trauma, and was bleeding from the head at the scene of the crash.
According to news reports, the bicycle was hit as part of a crash between the Mustang and another car, both traveling at “… speeds police have indicated were unsafe.” See, “Bicyclist in U.S. 41 crash remains hospitalized; city releases report after newspaper seeks aid of public access counselor,” published by the Tribune-Star in a staff report on May 2, 2018.
The crash was serious enough to close U.S.41 for four hours. Little more has been reported on this severe bicycle accident and the health status of its bicycle crash victim.
Increasing Number of Serious and Fatal Bicycle Accidents
According to the recent research studies, there is a disturbing growth in the number of serious or fatal bicycle accidents in our country. See, “Cycling Deaths Are Rising Faster Than Driving or Walking Deaths, New Study Suggests,” written by Andrew Dawson and published by Bicycling on August 24, 2017.
For the past seven years, the number of deadly bicycle crashes has been rising. Every year since 2011, the number of bicycle fatalities is higher.
This report comes from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Entitled, “A Right to the Road: Understanding & Addressing Bicyclist Safety,” you can read the full report online. From their findings:
- Each year about 2% of all fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes are bicyclists.
- Since 2011, the number of fatal bicycle accidents has been rising.
- In 2016, 840 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents.
- Since 2011, an average of 55 additional bicyclists died each year.
- In 2015, 85% of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle-cyclist crashes were male.
- The average age of those involved in fatal bicycle accidents is 45.2 years.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we know:
- Adults aged 50 to 59 years have the highest bicycle death rates.
- Children (5-14 years) and adolescents (15-19 years) have the highest rates of nonfatal bicycle-related injuries, accounting for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments.
- Males die 6 times more often.
- Males are injured 4 times more often on bicycles than females.
- Most bicyclist deaths occur in urban areas.
- Most fatal bicycle accidents happen at non-intersection locations.
- Among bicyclist deaths, 37% had alcohol involvement (impairment).
Stay Safe from Fatal or Severe Bicycle Accidents in Indiana or Illinois
Given the rising dangers of a serious or deadly bicycle crash, how can we protect ourselves and our loved ones? Moreover, how do we deal with the rising trend in fatal bike crashes while continuing to use bicycles as a means of transportation, fun, or fitness?
Illinois’ Secretary of State offers the following:
Bicycle riding is a fun way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. To remain safe on Illinois roads, bicyclists must obey the same traffic safety laws that govern vehicle drivers. No amount of bicycle safety equipment can adequately protect a rider from the dangerous force of a car or truck if involved in a vehicle collision. The best way to avoid injury is by being prepared for the dangers that streets pose to bicycle riders and by obeying the rules of the road.
It is true that there are laws in place for bicyclists to follow in both Indiana and Illinois. All too often, those who are pursuing claims for justice in the aftermath of a fatal bicycle accident will find fingers being pointed at the bicyclist for some failure on their part to avoid the crash. Defenses may include arguments that the bicycle was not fitted with reflective materials, or the bicycle rider failed to make a proper hand signal (or didn’t signal long enough).
It can be infuriating to have the person who lost their life in the crash being accused of causing the accident. However, it must be expected that insurance adjusters and defense teams will be looking for any argument they can to avoid liability and financial accountability.
This will happen even though it is obvious that a huge and heavy machine collided with a lightweight bicycle and its rider, a collision which at any speed involves a high risk of severe bodily harm to the bicyclist.
In these situations, it is important to remember that bicycle laws do not act as an inviolate shield and automatic bar from responsibility for the driver of the heavy motor vehicle that collided with the bike, resulting in the rider’s death. Driving defensively on a bike may not be enough to protect the rider from harm.
For details, read our prior discussion on bicycle laws in Indiana and Illinois, including Bicycle Accidents in Indiana Target of New Proposed Laws and Illinois New Law Lets Motorcycles and Bicycles Run Red Lights: Sounds Good, But There are Risks.
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Let’s do all we can to protect our families and friends by supporting awareness of bicycle safety on the roads of Indiana and Illinois. Please bike with awareness of the risks. Let’s be careful out there!
