Bicycle – Car Accidents Increase in Summer l Seattle Bicycle Accident Attorney

My office usually sees a number of new cases involving bicycles and motor vehicle accidents during the summer months.  This summer is no different.  Obviously, the increase is due to the nice weather and more bicyclists using our roadways.  Drivers may not be used to seeing as many bicyclists and thus “forget” that bicyclists also have a right to use the road.  The most common cause of bicycle-vehicle accidents that I see is the driver’s failure to yield to the bicyclist, or the driver’s failure to exercise ordinary care when approaching or passing the bicyclist. 

Attorney Brenda Hollingsworth of the Auger Hollingsworth law firm in Ottawa, Canada recently reported on an accident involving 5 bicyclists who were all mowed down by a van that never stopped and sped away.  Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong learned of this serious accident and actually commented on the incident through is video blog.  Lance said, “…anytime you have  that interaction of bikes and cars, you never know what can happen.”  Well said Lance, and very, very true.

So, we all need to be careful no matter where you are.  The increase in bike accidents during the summer is not just a local phenomenan, but one that is seen nationally and in other countries.  Let’s all be safe while driving and/or biking!