Coming in first in a bicycle race is usually a cause for celebration. However, it’s not a win for Florida, which ranks first in the nation in fatal bicycle crashes, according to local news station NBC.
Florida has finished in the top three states in the U.S. with the most bicycle collisions for several years in a row. Between 2008 and 2010, 644 bicycle accidents occurred in southwest Florida alone. According to the article, the crashes average about one accident every 34 hours. In 17 of those accidents, the bicyclist loses their life.
In response to these distressing statistics, cities and counties throughout Florida began creating and implementing design plans to provide bike lanes and other amenities to make the streets safer for bicyclists. For example, in 2006, Fort Myers made a plan to add bike lanes and sidewalks to several of its city streets. However, five years later, the Fort Myers plan is only 13 percent complete. According to Fort Myers’ chief engineer, the city has not been able to find the money to revamp its streets in the face of the recent economic downturn.
Many bicyclists suffer injuries in Florida bicycle accidents when motorists fail to safely share the road with them. Drivers can help protect bicyclists by carefully watching for bicycles and slowing down or moving over in their lane to give bicyclists more room to maneuver. Meanwhile, bicyclists can make themselves more visible by placing lights on their bikes and wearing reflective clothing, including a reflective helmet.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash in Florida, you should be aware of what your legal rights and options are. Experienced Miami bicycle accident lawyer Ruth E. Johnson will help you understand your legal rights and work hard to seek the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation, call The Law Offices of Ruth E. Johnson today at 305-720-2086.