In late August, the Buffalo News reported on the tragic death of a 12-year-old bicycle rider who had become trapped beneath a car on Sheridan Drive. Passersby who witnessed the crash rushed to the scene to try to free the boy from beneath the car and the heroic efforts of first responders and witnesses actually lifted the vehicle off the boy so he could be taken to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, the injuries from the wreck were too severe and the boy died. 
www.jamesmorrislaw.com Buffalo Ny Personal Injury lawyers, know that bicycle accidents are often deadly for riders because they have essentially no protection from the force and the impact of the collision. Unfortunately, this was one of many bike accidents that involved young riders, and it is an important reminder of the fact that both bicyclists and drivers play a critical role in avoiding fatalities and keeping the roads safe.
Bicycle Accidents Cause Serious Risks for Riders
Unfortunately, this fatal bike accident is one of many that is likely to occur over the year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 677 cyclists were killed and 48,000 injured in 2011, with bicyclist deaths making up around two percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. In New York alone, there were 57 fatalities of bicyclists in 2011.
Nationwide, 10 percent of those who were killed on bicycles were in the 16-and-under age group just as the bicyclist was in the Sheridan Drive crash. Men were also more likely to be killed or injured, accounting for 85 percent of all bicycle accident deaths. Many of those individuals who were killed, of both genders, did not have helmets on at the time. The boy who was killed in the Sheridan Drive crash also was reportedly not wearing a helmet.
Safety Tips to Prevent Bicycle Accidents
It is important to remember that bicycle accidents often can be avoided if both riders and drivers do their parts.
When possible, bicycle riders need to avoid riding on busy roads and/or should stick to areas where there are bike lanes. Bicycle riders need to yield the right-of-way to drivers. Riders should wear helmets and bright-colored clothing so they are easier to see.
Drivers, on the other hand, need to pay attention to the road, stay off their cell phones, drive within the speed limit and also yield to bike riders who are crossing. If bicycle riders and drivers both make a commitment to share the road safely, hopefully more tragic accidents can be prevented.
