How to Protect Yourself While Cycling: Bicycle Safety Tips in South Carolina Explained to You
Cycling in the Carolinas is well-known. Whether you are in Lancaster, Indian Land, Rock Hill, South Carolina, or across the border in Waxhaw, North Carolina, cycling is a major sport for amateurs and Olympic hopefuls alike. While most cyclists safely navigate our roadways, our personal injury lawyer in South Carolina knows that this is not always the case.
Many innocent riders are injured by negligent drivers, businesses, or government entities. Most of these bicycle accidents are preventable and entirely avoidable if a defendant properly exercised reasonable care under the circumstances.
Unfortunately, when bicycle accidents happen in South Carolina, riders are often permanently injured or disabled, sometimes being catastrophically harmed in a crash. The most serious of cycling accidents can result in the wrongful death of an innocent person, affecting an entire family.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a bicycle accident in South Carolina, call our personal injury lawyers at David Blackwell Law to schedule a FREE consultation to learn what your rights to compensation may be under the law.
Minimizing the Risk of Bicycle Accidents in South Carolina
While there will always be an inherent risk to riding a bicycle, negligent drivers, businesses, and government entities will only unnecessarily increase those risks and cause serious harm to innocent people. Our personal injury lawyers want you to know some important bicycle safety tips to lower your risks and help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.
Some of the most essential bicycle safety tips are the following:
Wear a Helmet
This goes without saying.
Always protect yourself with a helmet. Even though you may feel like you do not need a helmet, even for a short warmup or cooldown ride around your neighborhood, you must always protect yourself by wearing a helmet. Just a fall from standing height could cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), meaning that a fall on a bicycle or while in motion could only multiply the damage.
Drive Defensively All The Time
There are two types of bicycle riders: those who ride a bicycle leisurely for exercise, to commute to work, or to run errands, and those who are cycling for sport. Both types of riders must protect themselves at all times by treating drivers as:
- Not seeing them/will not see them
- Will not stop for them or yield to them
- Will not follow the traffic law
- Will not compromise space, and
- Are a threat to a rider.
As a result, all bicycle riders and cyclists must ride defensively and always “have an out” or compromise space with a driver to ensure a safe space. Riders need to be constantly aware of themselves and other drivers to guard against the risk of harm by a reckless or negligent driver.
Follow the Traffic Laws
Under South Carolina law, all bicycle riders are subject to the same traffic laws as other motorists.
This includes the same laws and rules relating to yielding and turning. Ensure that you comply with all of the relevant traffic laws to protect yourself while riding.
Wear Reflective Materials or Contrasting Clothing
Even if you are riding during the day, it is imperative that you wear reflective or contrasting material or clothing to help drivers see you. This is obviously truer at dust or night, but on a bright and sunny day, wearing clothing that can stand out will help drivers see you. This includes reflective material which will shine and flash drivers with a glimmer of sunlight to help them see you.
Keep Your Hands on the Bicycle and No Tricks in Traffic
Although it may be tempting to take a hand off the handles to rest, that is a horrible idea. There could be a bump or jolt that you do not see at any time, which could cause you to lose control and fall or roll into traffic.
Always have both your hands on the handlebars and avoid doing any type of trick or “fancy” maneuver while in traffic or around other vehicles.
Know the Hand Signals and Use Them
Knowing and using signals helps drivers understand your intentions and how they can give you space or avoid a collision with you. Use all of your signals to let drivers know exactly where you are going and what you are doing at all times to avoid unnecessary and preventable collisions.
Were You Injured in a Bicycle Accident in South Carolina? Ask Us What Your Rights Are
Here at David Blackwell Law, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Lancaster, SC and Indian Land, SC, know how important it is for victims of bicycle accidents to get their questions answered and their medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering compensated for after a negligent crash. We offer FREE consultations to learn more about your legal rights after an accident and how we can help you and your family. Schedule your appointment today by calling 803-285-0225.
