Bicycle Accidents

Here’s one unexpected side effect of the nation’s Coronavirus pandemic: more kids are getting into traumatic bike accidents. But when you think about it, it sadly makes sense. When schools closed and activities canceled, we parents, hoping to keep our kids’ screen time down as much as possible, encouraged our kids to get outdoors and ride their bikes. Unfortunately, with the increase of kids outside on their bikes, there’s been an increase in serious bicycle accidents involving children. What Type of Injuries Happen in a Bicycle Accident? Bicycle accidents can be very serious for kids. Children can suffer from a variety of injuries, ranging in seriousness, including: Cuts and lacerations that require stitches. Friction burns, which are sometimes called road burns. Fractures to arms, legs, ankles, and wrists, sometimes even requiring surgeries to reset the broken bones. Internal injuries to organs and internal bleeding. Soft tissue injuries that can be hard to diagnose and treat [...]

Did you know that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month?  To help motorcyclists and motorists save lives, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched the new Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles campaign. This campaign is aimed at increasing awareness of motorcycles on the road and helping motorists understand motorcycle driving behaviors better. Through education and increasing awareness, the NHTSA hopes that motorists and motorcyclists can work together to reduce dangerous and fatal injury accidents. Motorcyclists are at an increased risk on the roads. Every year, thousands of bikers lose their lives in accidents that could have been prevented. In 2015, motorcyclists accounted for nearly 14 percent of all fatalities - even though they represent just 3 percent of the registered vehicles on the road. Sadly, the number of motorcyclists killed just keeps increasing every year. In 2015, the NHTSA reported an 8 percent increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities from the year [...]

Every May, the League of American Bicyclists celebrate National Bike Month. For over 60 years, bicycling enthusiasts have celebrated the benefits of bicycling, hoping to encourage more people to hit the road. As part of the festivities, National Bike to Work day is traditionally held during the third week in May. This day aims to get more people biking to work. This year, COVID-19 has changed the way National Bike Month will operate. Because of the Coronavirus, National Bike to Work day will now be held on Tuesday, September 22. Bike to Work Week will occur between September 21 - 27. As the Coronavirus spreads across the country, quarantine and lockdowns have many people searching for a way to get outside, while still maintaining social distancing. Bicycles offer a great way to do that. To encourage that this year, National Bike Month will focus on well-being and connection. They want to highlight how bicycling can [...]

About 20 years ago, when I worked in DC, I used to bike to work from Northern Virginia.  Loved it.  The commute was often the best part of the day, though I’ll admit there were days when I feared the wind would blow me off the Roosevelt Bridge and into the Potomac. I know many people who live in Arlington and Fairfax Counties still do commute by bicycle.  And with spring arriving and the weather improving, more and more people are out and about on their bikes. Unfortunately, more traffic means more possibility of accidents, and the injuries caused by bicycle accidents can be just as bad, and sometimes worse, than those arising from car accidents. What do you do if you’re seriously hurt in an accident while biking?  Can you make a claim against the person who hurt you?  Would that even be covered by insurance? The answer to that last question depends on [...]