Drivers have a legal and moral responsibility to safely share the road with bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, and failure to do so can be deadly.
Here is how the death toll broke down in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- 783 bicyclists
- 5,977 pedestrians
- 5,172 motorcyclists
While bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians have legal rights to the road, they also are at greater risk because they are smaller, less visible and less protected in the event of an accident.
Sharing the blame
Bicyclists and motorcyclists have responsibilities, too. They must obey signs and signals. They should always ride defensively, assuming drivers cannot see them. In the case of bicyclists, they should use bike lanes when they are available and avoid riding on sidewalks.
In addition to following the rules of the road, pedestrians need to employ common sense. This means, in the absence of a sidewalk, walking while facing traffic and as far from cars as possible. They should always cross at crosswalks when they are available, and at well-lit places when crosswalks are not available.
The Oregon Department of Transportation offers the following top driver errors:
- Failing to avoid a stopped or parked car
- Running off the road
- Failing to maintain lane
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Driving too fast for conditions (not exceeding posted speed)
- Inattention
- Left turn in front of on-coming traffic
- Failing to decrease speed for a slower vehicle
- Careless driving
The department did not offer a breakdown for motorcyclists.
Share the burden of your case
If you’ve been the victim of a personal injury accident as a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist, you almost certainly are suffering from major injuries. You may be unable to work for an extended period, meaning you cannot provide for your family or pay your bills, which now include major medical expenses. An insurance company, aware of your desperation, may be pressuring you into accepting a financial settlement that is tempting yet fails to meet either your needs or what you deserve.
Don’t tackle your problems alone. The personal injury lawyers at Zbinden & Curtis have more than 30 years of combined experience handling cases just like yours in Oregon and Washington. Based in Portland, Oregon, they will thoroughly investigate your accident, interview witnesses, review police and medical reports, and take whatever other steps are necessary to secure justice for you and your family. Just as importantly, they will treat you with respect and compassion. Contact them today for a free case consultation.
