Summer Bicycle Accidents and How to Avoid Them
For many bicycle enthusiasts, summertime is the best time for biking. The hot weather and long days help create conditions that many riders love. However, the season also brings some distinct challenges. Here are some safety tips that will help you and your family avoid summer bicycle accidents from the bike accident lawyers at Patterson Legal Group.
Three Factors in Summer Bicycle Accidents
The unique temperatures, driver demographics, and traffic conditions of the summer introduce unique challenges. This means that you should treat the season differently when you want to take a ride. Although the changes are relatively small, our personal injury lawyers have found that they can be huge contributing factors to bike accidents in the summer. Here are three things to keep in mind while going for a bicycle ride in the summer.
Stay Hydrated to Avoid Cramping
Hot weather means that you’ll be sweating more than usual. After all, sweating is one of the body’s ways to regulate temperature. Your body is literally expelling fluid to cool you down. This means that dehydration is more likely to happen during a summer bike ride than in any other season.
Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, which can make you lose control of your bicycle. This can lead to minor crashes, catastrophic injuries, and even wrongful death. The good news is that you can greatly reduce your chances of a muscle cramp by staying hydrated. Be sure that you’re well hydrated before you go out on a summer bicycle ride and bring plenty of water or your favorite sports drink with you.
Watch Out for Construction Zones
Construction activity ramps up in the summer for the same reasons that make the season so appealing to bicycle riders–warm weather and more hours of sunlight. The increased number of construction sites also increases your chances of getting into a work zone accident. Work zones can temporarily narrow roads, making it difficult to share the space with motor vehicles. Construction debris can obstruct your path and even pop your tires. Lastly, construction noise can make you less aware of your surroundings by drowning out vital audio cues.
If possible, check your phone’s map app to see if there are any work zones on your planned ride. The best way to avoid a work zone accident is by avoiding a construction zone entirely. If you can’t do that then be sure to lower your speed and ride through a work zone with extra caution.
Keep an Eye Out for Teen Drivers and Tourists
There’s a high chance that you’ll be sharing the road with tourists and teen drivers in the summer. Both increase the likelihood of summer bicycle accidents for numerous reasons, including:
- A lack of driving experience
- Unfamiliarity with local roads
- Bad habits like texting and driving
- Higher instances of distracted driving
Keeping an eye out for younger drivers and out-of-state license plates can help you avoid a bike accident this summer. Should you notice any teen drivers or tourists, slow down and do your best to avoid riding near them.
Contact a Summer Bicycle Accidents Lawyer
The team at Patterson Legal Group hopes that you have an amazing summer that’s filled with fantastic bike rides. We hope that the safety tips above help you and the riders in your family avoid summer bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, accidents can happen no matter how safe you’re being. Should you get into an accident this summer then contact Patterson Legal Group for immediate assistance.
Our team is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone at 888-687-2400 or connect with us online through LiveChat. Our lawyers have won superior settlements for our clients throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. They also take pride in treating each client with the compassion and respect they deserve. Contact us today and you’ll quickly see why Patterson Legal Group is one of the most trusted personal injury firms in the Midwest.
