Avoid Bicycle Accidents by Planning a Safer Route

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Jason Krebs
Every cyclist knows it can be dangerous to commute to work on your bike in Springfield, or ride around the outlying areas due to the lack of official bike paths and general awareness from Springfield drivers. Now, Google can help you plan those rides to be a bit more enjoyable (and hopefully accident free) with their new Google Maps tool that gives bike directions!  Found at http://maps.google.com/bikiing, enter your starting point and destination as you would for driving directions, but be sure the drop down shows BICYCLING rather than "by Car."  
 
Here is an example of how to ride from Springfield to Rogersville. 
 
In general, the tool tries to avoid busy intersections and where available, use bike trials. Per Google, the "time estimate for the route is based on a complex set of variables accounting for the type of road, terrain and turns over the course of the ride." Sounds like that certainly will vary by rider.  Read more from Google about how how getting bicycle directions works.
 
The tool certainly can't ensure a safe trip, but as a bicycle accident attorney who has seen first hand how a poor route choice can contribute to an accident, I know I'll use it when searching for a new loop or when exploring unfamiliar areas.  There are already enough threats that cause bicycling accidents, don't put yourself in extra danger by traveling on the busiest roads in rush hour. It seems the new Google Maps tool can perhaps help you avoid some dangers.  Check it out. 
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Types of Bicycle Accidents

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Jason Krebs

In 2008, there were about 52,000 bicycle accidents with injuries although the number is likely higher as many accidents go unreported if there is no damage to the car involved. (By "bicycle accident" I mean one involving a bike and a car or other vehicle, not you doing an endo on the trail and breaking your arm.)  Bicyclists have the same right to use the road as any other vehicle and also the same responsibility to obey traffic laws.  Because of their size however, bicyclists can be more vulnerable to the inattentiveness of drivers.  The majority of accidents between bikes and cars occur at intersections and since the driver of the car may be checking email or texting at the stop sign, cyclists need to be extra vigilant about being sure that drivers see them.  Keep reading to see the most common types of bicycle accidents.

Broadside or Right AngleBoradside Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accident where a bicyclist hits or is hit by a vehicle on a perpendicular roadway or driveway.  The car may not stop if signs require it to, or it may proceed again without realizing a cyclist is taking its turn at the intersection
 
 
 
Overtaking Turn or Right Hook
Overtaking Turn or Right Hook Bicycle AccidentBicycle accident where a bicyclist hits or is hit by a vehicle traveling in the same direction as the bicyclist, approaching from behind, and turns right,crossing the path of the bike.  An especially frustrating and seemingly avoidable kind of accident as surely the car sees the cyclist if it just passed the bike.
 
 
Approach Turn or Left CrossBicycle Accident-Approach Turn or Left Cross
Bicycle accident where a bicyclist hits or is hit by a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction and turning right or left.  Again, the car failed to stop or yield or proceed through without realizing a bike was approaching.
 
 
Sideswipe
Bicycle accident where a bicyclist hits or is hit by a vehicle traveling in the same direction or opposite direction as the bicyclist, or the car is changing lanes, passing or weaving.  This type of bicycle accident can be fatal as high rates of speed can be involved.
 
Rear End or Hit from Behind
Bicycle accident similar to this between type of accident between two cars. The vehicle does see the bike or misjudges the distance and hits the bicycle from behind.  This type of bicycle accident accounts for many fatalities.
 
Remember, bikes are to ride on the same side of the road as cars.  Don't confuse things by riding on the sidewalk or the wrong side of the road.  Be cautious and aware, but also be confident.  If you are injured in a bicycle accident, call an attorney who also is a cyclist--Jason Krebs of The Krebs Law Firm. 
 
Images courtesy of a report on bicycle accidents in Fort Collins, Colorado published in The Coloradoan.
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What is Pain and Suffering?

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Jason Krebs

Biking in the OzarksI was recently reading an online newspaper article about a young girl that lost a leg in a bicycle/car accident. Several people posted some comments about tort reform and pain and suffering. The comments centered around the fact that they thought she received too much money. A few commentators even said they would give up a leg for such an award. Amazing.

We here in Missouri had tort reform passed at the request of the insurance industry and the medical industry in 2005. The idea professed at the time by the insurance industry lobby, was that large damage awards for pain and suffering were unfair and were driving costs up for everyone. It passed, however strangely my premiums have not gone down. Have yours? Hopefully the next Governor will work to overturn this injustice.

The polite term those that try to limit your rights to compensation use is “non-economic damages” instead of pain and suffering. Non-economic has a more clinical and sterile tone than pain and suffering, but what is pain and suffering? The Black’s Law Dictionary definition of pain and suffering is the “[t]erm used to describe not only physical discomfort and distress but also mental and emotional trauma. . . . .”

All that is true but the more accurate definition in my opinion is: how has this motor vehicle accident or semi truck crash impacted your quality of life? Quality of life is a pretty broad statement, but it defines the little things that make life enjoyable. Maybe for you it is bending over to pick up a grandchild or maybe it is fishing or running a marathon or riding your bicycle or working in your garden. Now imagine that you can’t do those things you enjoy anymore. Not by your choice, but rather told by someone else. Now imagine being told that your quality of life isn’t worth much.

We also represent the surviving families of victims of fatal car crashes, semi truck accidents, or other negligence cases throughout Missouri. Our experience with wrongful death litigation will help ensure that your family receives the caring client service you need through a difficult period of grief and transition 

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