More people are riding bicycles, but they aren’t necessarily riding for leisure or health. Beginning with the economic recession that began in 2007-2008, more of us are using bicycles as our primary method of transportation. And with more bikes on city streets, more accidents now involve bikes. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 677 people in the U.S. lost their lives in bicycle-involved accidents in 2011, and another 38,000 were injured in those accidents.

Males are six times more likely to be in a bicycle crash than females, according to the NHTSA report. Bicycles are more risky in metropolitan settings, too; 78% of all crashes involving bikes occur in urban rather than suburban or rural locations. Bad weather and poor road conditions are rarely the causes; defectively designed bicycles and negligent drivers are overwhelmingly the primary causes of accidents involving bicyclists.

Whenever another vehicle crashes into a bicycle, whether it’s an automobile, motorcycle, bus, or truck, the bike rider is almost always the more seriously injured, for obvious reasons. Bicyclists – particularly urban male bicyclists – are at a substantially high risk for brain injuries, limb injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis. Most automobile drivers have auto insurance, but almost all bicyclists ride uninsured.

If you are a bicyclist who has been involved in an accident, know your legal rights. Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Don’t admit to any fault, and don’t sign any insurance forms before talking to a good personal injury lawyer. If you can, take photos (or have someone take photos) of your personal injuries and bicycle damage. Make copies of all medical, legal, or other paperwork related to the crash. If you are injured in the crash, an experienced personal injury attorney will fight for your rights and your rightful damages. You may recover your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Protecting your well-being and your legal rights must be your priority after any bicycle accident, and a personal injury attorney is the person who will help. In the San Diego area, if you or a family member has suffered a personal injury in a bicycle accident, please contact attorney Gary Sernaker to discuss your rights and options under California Law.