While one would hope that problems would never arise out on the roads involving bicyclists, they, unfortunately, sometimes do. In some instances, cyclists try to take advantage of their small size, darting in and out of traffic, which could cause them to injure nearby pedestrians. Other times, cars do not treat cyclists with the respect they deserve or even fail to notice them, which can lead to serious injury for a bicyclist.
When discussing the issue of bicycle accidents on the road, most people focus on the latter scenario, decrying the injustices that cyclists suffer as they try to use the road. But it’s important to not lose sight of the former scenario. An analysis conducted by Hunter College professors a few years ago concluded that over 500 pedestrians in New York City are hospitalized by cyclists every year.
The analysis was based on data gathered between 2007 and 2010, and, as one of the participating professors pointed out, the number of pedestrians injured annually could be even higher because this data only included individuals who were hospitalized.
The purpose of focusing on these numbers is not to claim that bicyclists do not suffer injustices by cars on the road, but to remind everyone that bicyclists can cause problems too when they act negligently.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, whether you were riding a bike or hit by one, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting an attorney may be able to help you determine if you have a case.