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Many people do not consider bike riding to be a dangerous activity. But depending on where a cyclist chooses to ride, the activity can turn tragic in a matter of minutes if an accident occurs. Fort Myers personal injury attorneys like Randall Spivey and his team at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., are well aware that bike riders have rights with respect to sharing Florida roadways with automobiles. Some drivers in automobiles, however, do not make any special effort to pay attention to or watch for individuals on bikes when traveling. In fact, many of the accidents that occur between bicyclists and automobiles occur because of driver inattention and distraction.

Bicycle accidents can occur for any number of reasons, but statistics have shown that some of the most common reasons for such accidents include drivers not paying attention when passing by bicyclists and drivers turning in front of cyclists while entering the street from a parking spot or a driveway. Driver distraction not only includes general inattentiveness, but it also includes distraction by cell phones (to include texting), GPS devices, DVD players, talking passengers and other inside and outside distractions.

The Law

Florida lawmakers have attempted to make the streets a bit safer for all by passing certain laws with respect to the treatment of bicycles on the roadway.  One such law calls for motor vehicle drivers to stay at least three feet away from bike riders. Fort Myers personal injury attorneys will also tell their clients that individuals who operate motor vehicles are required to treat bikes just like any other vehicle on the road by allowing them to have a lane to themselves in places where separate bicycle lanes are not provided.

Even with specific laws in place, however, some motorists do not follow them, and when those laws are broken, serious collisions can occur. To be sure, the occurrence of accidents might be reduced if the laws were better enforced and drivers were better educated about sharing the road with bikers. But there are certain things that motorists and bicyclists can do to avoid accidents.

Avoiding Collisions

There are a few things that automobile drivers can do to help prevent the occurrence of accidents with bicyclists. For example, motorists who choose to pass bicyclists should do so quickly, leaving them with plenty of room. Some drivers think they are being nice by passing by slowly; however, doing so might make a cyclist nervous, which can lead to a collision. That said, drivers should pass in the same manner they would a normal automobile.

Additionally, it is very important for drivers to avoid distraction. Bicyclists can come up behind a motor vehicle fairly quickly and can be easily hidden by a vehicle's blind spots. If a driver is distracted, that can increase the chance of an accident occurring.

There are also steps that bicyclists can take to stay safe on the roadways. For instance, bicyclists should select their routes carefully and choose those that have bicycle lanes, where possible. Also, cyclists should stay visible and make certain that they follow the rules of the road, just as they would if they were in an automobile.

If you or someone you love has sustained injuries due to a bicycle accident, contact the Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. today.