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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued an overview of the fatal motor vehicle crashes that occurred nationwide in 2018. Motor vehicle accidents involving bicyclists were one of the few types of fatal crashes that increased between 2017 and 2018. The data shows that 51 more fatal motor vehicle/bicycle crashes occurred in 2018 than in 2017. This figure represents a 6.3% increase in this type of fatal crash.
A total of 806 cyclists died in crashes with motor vehicles in 2017. This total rose to 857 in 2018. Motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles result in fatalities more often, usually because the bicyclist has little protection against the impact of a motor vehicle. As a result, these individuals tend to suffer fatal injuries at a higher rate than drivers or passengers of motor vehicles, who often benefit from safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, and the protective frame of a motor vehicle.
Other data that NHTSA released in this report shows that bicyclist fatalities have increased 48% since 2009, despite the commitment of many larger cities to installing bike lanes and other amenities designed to promote bicycle safety. Conversely, bicyclist fatalities in rural areas decreased 8.9% during the same period, even though rural areas are far less likely to have dedicated bike lanes.
Male bicyclist fatalities increased by 3.2% from 2017 to 2018, and female bicyclist fatalities increased by 29.2%, which may indicate an increase in females who routinely ride bicycles. Furthermore, nighttime deaths decreased by 9.2%, whereas fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes increased by 9.2% for bicyclists.
The NHTSA report also reveals that in the state of California, there were 155 bicyclist fatalities in 2018. This number constitutes 4% of the total deaths from motor vehicle crashes in 2018. This number has been mostly on the rise since 2013.
Bonnici Law Group has the experience, knowledge, and reputation that you want and need when you are injured in a bike accident. We are here to help you build the most substantial claim possible for compensation and obtain a positive outcome in your case. Do not hesitate to contact Bonnici Law Group at 858-261-5454 or help@bonnicilawgroup.com.
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