Reviewing bicycle accident statistics on both a state and national level can help riders and drivers gain a better understanding of accident trends and risk factors. For those bicyclists who are injured in a crash that is caused because of a driver’s action, compensation is available through a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Washington State, 2013
The most current data about bicycle accident statistics, as provided by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, is for the year 2013. During that year, the state of Washington witnessed 436 total traffic fatalities.
Of those, 11 were ‘pedacyclist’ fatalities which is the term used to group bicyclists and other cyclists. Pedacyclist fatalities accounted for 2.5 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state that year. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the number of pedacyclist fatalities (11) was slightly less than the number of pedestrian fatalities in 2013 (13).
Bicycle Accident Statistics in the U.S., 2013
There was a total of 743 pedacyclist fatalities reported in the United States in the year 2013, and an additional 11 in Puerto Rico. Of these, the most occurred in California, where there were 141 pedacyclist fatalities, followed by Florida, with 133.
There were no pedacyclist fatalities reported in the following states.
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Nebraska
The vast majority of fatal crashes occurred in urban areas (68 percent). And, more than half of all fatal crashes occurred at intersections. The average age of pedacyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2013 was 44 years old, although children under age 15 accounted for seven percent of all fatal pedacyclist accidents in 2013.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
As mentioned above, the locale where most bicycle accidents happen is a rural intersection. And unfortunately, most bicycle accidents are a result of negligence.
Examples of driver errors that can lead to a fatal pedacyclist accident include the following listed.
- Failing to yield
- Speeding
- Turning in front of cyclist
- Driving aggressively
- Driver inattention
Alcohol use also played a role in fatalities amongst pedacyclists. According to NHTSA data, nearly one-fourth of all pedacyclists killed in 2013 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .01 g/dL or higher, and one-fifth had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.
Between motorists and pedacyclists, alcohol consumption was involved in 34 percent of all accidents that resulted in pedacyclist fatalities. When driver error causes a fatal or severe injury bicycle crash, victims have the right to file a claim for damages.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Max Meyers Law cares about cyclists in Washington and to that end, this bicycle accident blog is updated often to keep bikers apprised of new laws and informative checklists to support their lifestyle. To learn more about bicycle safety in Washington State, and your right to seek legal recourse after an accident, contact an attorney at Max Meyers Law PLLC today. Call now at 425-399-7000.
