California Bicycle Accidents By the Numbers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 743 people were killed in bicycle accidents in 2013. That number is close to the recent peak of 772 deaths in 2006 and significantly higher than the 682 deaths reported in 2011.
Overall, bicyclists account for just over two percent of all people killed or injured in car crashes each year – but they account for significantly less than two percent of the traffic on U.S. roads. Distracted driving claims the lives of many bicyclists each year as motorists fail to share the road safely.
Experienced California bicycle accident lawyers are committed to helping reduce accidents. Here are some statistics from NHTSA:
- 743. The number of bicyclists killed in car crashes on U.S. roads in 2013.
- 141. The number of bicyclist deaths in California in 2013 – the highest of any state. Florida (133) and Texas (48) round out the top three.
- 48,000. The number of bicyclists who were injured on U.S. roads in 2013.
- 8.9 percent. The increase in injuries suffered by bicyclists between 2001 and 2011.
- 29 percent. The number of bicyclists who were injured when they were hit by a vehicle in 2013 – the most common source of bicycle accident injuries.
- 68 percent. The number of bicycle accidents that occur in urban areas.
- $4 billion. The total cost of bicyclist injuries and deaths in the United States each year. This number includes not only medical bills and damaged property, but also the income and benefits lost when a bicyclist must take time from work to recover from a serious injury – or when the bicyclist is so badly injured that he or she can no longer work at all.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident with a car, you’ll need an experienced attorney at your side. Contact The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV at (888) 454-5569.