Statistics on Alaska Bicycle Accidents Reveal Disturbing Trends

 

Data on the number of car accidents in the US might lead some people to consider other, safer forms of transportation, but statistics indicate that a bike may not be the best bet. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), around 1,000 people are killed, and more than 130,000 victims are injured in bicycle accidents every year. At the societal level, these incidents exceed $23 billion for medical costs, lost work productivity, and diminished quality of life.

However, there are also significant losses for the individuals affected by bicycle accidents. It is a comfort to know that you have legal remedies under Alaska law if you were hit by a negligent driver, but the process can be challenging. You gain an advantage when you retain an Alaska bicycle accident attorney who will assist with insurance claims, settlement discussions, and litigation. Plus, some additional statistics and tips on what to do after a collision are also useful.

 

Data Reveals Dangers of Bike Collisions

 The details on bicycle crashes are important for understanding the risks and determining the best ways to protect yourself. For instance:

• Fatalities from bicycle accidents have been on the rise, increasing 16% during 2020 and spiking 44% from 2011 to 2020.
• During this same time period, the number of injuries from bike collisions has declined. Still, the statistics show that there were more than 536,400 people hurt in 2011 and almost 325,200 bicyclists injured in 2020.
• The highest rate of bicyclist fatalities occurs among those adults aged 55 to 69 years old.
• Teens and young adults are the highest injury rate from bike crashes, counting those who were treated in emergency rooms.
• As compared to females, males are more than six times more likely to be killed in a bicycle collision and more than five times more likely to be injured.
• The highest rates of bicycle accident fatalities are observed from May through October, with the peak being in August.

 

What to Do After an Alaska Bicycle Accident

The chaos is overwhelming after a bike collision, but some tips should help you cope and protect your rights.

• Get proper medical attention right away, even for injuries you think are minor.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with all involved drivers.
• Keep your conversations brief and focused on the drivers’ contact details. Do not admit fault, apologize, or talk about how you think the bike accident happened.
• Use your cell phone to get pictures of your bicycle, damage to vehicles, and conditions at the scene.
• If contacted by an insurance company, do not make any statements or sign documents without talking to an attorney.

 

Our Alaska Bicycle Accident Lawyers Will Assist With Legal Tasks

These tips on what to do after a bike crash are helpful, but you can rely on Power & Power Law to manage the legal process. For more information about your rights, please contact our Anchorage offices at 907-222-9990 or via our website. We can schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled bicycle accident attorney who will provide details.