Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lincoln

One of the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lincoln is the presence of severe dangers to cyclists in many places, particularly those with heavy motor vehicle traffic, such as Highway 65 and local intersections. Lincoln is a growing community located in Placer County near Sacramento. A mix of urban and rural roadways means that cyclists and motor vehicles share the riding surface, creating a risk. Provided bicycle accident injury data from California shows that most bicycle accidents are associated with preventable causes, resulting in hundreds of injuries and deaths every year. The common causes we discuss here include car collisions, distracted driving, and road hazards, outlining how they contribute to crashes and some reasons why injuries can be more severe for cyclists than for other types of roadway users. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents 

Bicycle accidents often occur due to driver inattention, adverse environmental conditions, or inadequate infrastructure. In California, including cities like Lincoln, they can typically be reported at intersections, bicycle lanes, and high-speed roadways. Here are some of the more common causes: 

Car Collisions and Failure to Yield 

One of the most frequent causes of accidents is being hit by a vehicle, often due to the driver failing to yield the right of way. An example of this includes a left-hook or right-hook turn, where a car turns in front of a cyclist at an intersection, and a rear-end collision, when the driver does not see a cyclist slowing or stopped. In Lincoln, these types of collisions commonly occur at busy intersections where cyclists are legally entitled to the street and are often not visible to the vehicle operator turning in front of them. Side-swiping incidents happen when the driver passes too close to the cyclist, especially during lane changes or on narrow multilane roads, causing the cyclist to lose control suddenly. These crashes occur because drivers underestimate cyclists' speed or presence, resulting in sudden impacts that eject riders from their bikes. 

Distracted Drivers 

Distracted driving, particularly from cell phone use, navigation systems, or other in-vehicle distractions, is a major contributor to bicycle accidents in California. In Lincoln's suburban and rural environments, where bike paths may not always be provided along roads, distracted drivers could end up driving on the bike lane, or they may not recognize people on bicycles at stop signs. For example, if a driver is texting, they may not see a person on a bike in their blind spot, which may cause a collision. This cause is exacerbated by the increasing use of smartphones, making it harder for drivers to maintain focus and react in time to avoid crashes. 

Road Hazards and Poor Conditions 

Road hazards, including potholes, cracks, debris, uneven pavement, or gravel, are a common cause of bicycle accidents. In Lincoln, where the weather tends to erode roads or seasonal debris comes from nearby rural areas, the hazards cause the cyclist to swerve suddenly. In swerving, a cyclist often loses control of their bike or veers into traffic. Poorly maintained sidewalks, construction zones, or inadequate lighting at night significantly amplify the risk, leading to single-rider falls or prompting evasive maneuvers that can result in vehicle strikes. Weather conditions, such as rain, make surfaces slippery, which further reduces traction for bikes more than for cars. 

Other Notable Causes 

• Speeding Drivers: Driving over the speed limit reduces the driver's reaction time and increases the impact force, which is directly related to roughly 29% of crashes involving bicycles. In a higher speed zone, the difference between a minor crash and a serious injury or severe crash can be the result of speeding vehicles.   
• Dooring incidents involve parked vehicles where a door is opened in the direction of travel of a bicycle, causing the rider to stop, swerve, or collide with the opened door. Doorings can occur anywhere there is typical urban parking. 
• Impaired or Aggressive Driving: Drivers under the influence or exhibiting road rage fail to signal or respect bike lanes, leading to intentional or reckless collisions. 
• Defective Equipment: Faulty bike parts or vehicle malfunctions, though less common, can cause loss of control. 

These causes often intersect, such as a distracted driver hitting a cyclist who is trying to avoid a pothole. 

Why Injuries Are More Devastating in Bicycle Accidents 

Injuries related to bicycle accidents are frequently more extensive than those sustained in car-only accidents, as riders are vulnerable. In contrast, motorists have protection in the form of a metal frame, seatbelts, and airbags. There are limited barriers seated on a bicycle, and thus, a rider fully absorbs the impact energy. As a result, injuries can be catastrophic, with over 90% of serious injury and fatality events associated with motor vehicles. 

Key Factors Contributing to Severity 

• Lack of Protection: A bike does not protect riders against vehicles, pavement, or moving objects. Riders in collisions, even at low speeds, can result in ejection, road rash, or secondary injury. 
• High-Impact Dynamics: The speed or weight of heavy vehicles contributes to an increase in force. Such as, a vehicle mass can crush limbs, or injure visceral organs, and injuries related to impacts to the head are the number one direct cause of fatalities. A common mechanism is a fall or being struck by an object when not protected by a helmet.   
• Common Injury Types: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries related to paralysis, fractures, injuries associated with an internal organ, long-term disability, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and an indirect impact due to medical costs, etc., all exist as everyday observations after these events. 
• Vulnerable Groups: Children, the elderly, and commuters face higher risks, with thousands injured yearly in the U.S. In California, urban-rural mixes, such as Lincoln, increase exposure to these dangers. 

Preventing these accidents requires awareness, improved infrastructure, and adherence to traffic laws; however, understanding the causes and risks is crucial for cyclists and drivers alike. 

Contact the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika 

If you are injured in a bike crash in Lincoln, don't go through the legal and financial challenges on your own. The Law Office of Brian P. Azemika has experienced representation to help you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out for a consultation at no cost and with no obligations to you by calling us today at 916-245-5059 or fill out our online form. We represent Lincoln and the surrounding areas from our Sacramento and Roseville offices, fighting for your rights.