Bicycle Arm Fracture Injury Case
The bike accident and injury lawyers at Pritzker Olsen law firm are representing a bicyclist who was injured in a car accident. The cyclist suffered a hairline fracture in her arm as a result of a car colliding with her bicycle. As the cyclist approached an intersection, the oncoming vehicle failed to yield and took a left-hand turn and hit the rear left side of the bike.
Cyclists and Motorists Sharing the Road
About 30 percent of bike-car accidents happen because of the motorist’s failure to yield, according to the City of Minneapolis. The city suggests motorists keep a few things in mind to reduce the risk of a cyclist-motorist collision:
- In a lane too narrow for a car and bike to travel side-by-side, cyclists must have the width of an entire lane.
- Motorists should use caution when making right or left turns, looking out for rear-approaching or oncoming cyclists.
- Drivers should give cyclists a 3-foot clearance area when passing.
- Do not speed. “A cyclist’s chances of survival in a crash are greatly improved when the vehicles involved are traveling at a slower speed.”
Other common bicycle-automobile crash scenarios
- Cyclist’s failure to yield
- Cyclists fail to wear lights and/or reflective gear at night
- Bicycle riders travel the wrong direction on the wrong side of the street
- Opening car doors
- Bikes hit from behind
Civia Cycles Bike Parts Recall due to Injuries
Parts for Civia Hyland Bicycles and Civia Carbon Bicycles have been recalled after bike accidents and injuries have been reported, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Civia Cycles of Bloomington, Minnesota is recalling about 800 bicycle forks that can crack and pose a fall hazard to bike riders.
The company has received two reports of forks cracking and one report of a fork breaking that resulted in facial abrasions and bruised ribs to the rider. The bike recall includes Hyland models that were sold with original equipment and Carbon forks sold as aftermarket products. The carbon fiber forks are black with “Civia” forged into them. They were sold by specialty bike retailers nationwide from April 2008 through February 2010. Consumers should stop riding the bikes and contact Civia for a replacement part.
Bike Defect Accident Information
The bicycle injury and accident lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys are frequently investigating bike safety information as part of their job representing injured bike riders and cyclists. They have recovered millions for people injured in bike and vehicle accidents, which can sometimes be due to a defective bike part, such as the Civia forks.
In the past, lawsuits have been successfully filed against the makers of defective bike parts, on behalf of people injured by faulty bikes, such as the case of a Santa Fe, New Mexico man who broke his neck after the front wheel came off his bike. People injured by defective bike products may have a legal claim against the bike manufacturer and may be able to recover the costs of medical expenses and also receive other compensation.
Sources:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Lawsuit-against-S-F–bicycle-shop-sees-delays
Minneapolis Named Most Bike-Friendly City
Minneapolis is America’s most bike-friendly city, according to Bicycling magazine. The publication evaluated cities with a population of 100,000 or more based on the following criteria: separate bike traffic lanes, city bike racks and bike boulevards and whether the city has a vibrant “bike culture” including savvy bike shops and cyclists who “have the ear of local government.”
This is exciting news at Minneapolis-based Pritzker Olsen Attorneys. Founding attorney, Fred Pritzker, is a former cycling racer and avid supporter of both the health and environmental benefits of bike commuting and recreational cycling. He also understands the ins and outs of bike safety. A bike-friendly city means a bike-safe city.
Minnesota Bike Safety Lawyers: Bike Safety Information
Although Minnesota bike-vehicle accidents declined by 37 percent from 1994 to 2002, there are still about 1,000 crashes involving bicycles and motor vehicles in Minnesota each year, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Many of these involve serious bike accident injuries.
More than half of all bike crashes happen when motorists and cyclists are crossing paths toward each other or in a perpendicular fashion. However, the most severe accidents that result in cyclist death typically occur when the bike rider and vehicle are traveling in the same direction.
Bike Safely
- Always wear a helmet.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic; not against traffic.
- Obey traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists do.
- Use hand signals to communicate your movements.
- Use a headlight, reflectors and rear flashing light when cycling at night.
Find more bike safety info from the Minnesota DOT.
The complete list of Bicycling magazine’s bike-safe cities are as follows:
- Minneapolis
- Portland, Ore.
- Boulder, Colo.
- Seattle, Wash.
- Eugene, Ore.
- San Francisco, Calif.
- Madison, Wis.
- New York City
- Tucson, Ariz.
- Chicago, Ill.
Sources:
http://www.bicycling.com/topbikefriendlycities/home.html
http://www.sharetheroadmn.org
Defective Bike Handle Bars Recalled After Injuries Reported
A bike product recall involves Ventus Aerobar handle bars that have rubber grips which can come loose, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The manufacturer of the handlebars, 3T Cycling Srl of Italy, has received reports of two adults suffering minor injuries due to bike accidents associated with the recalled Ventus Aerobars.
Owners should stop using these handle bars and contact BikeMine for a free replacement set of rubber Aerobar handle grips.
Ventus Bicycle Aerobar Recall Product Details
| Models | Description | Distributors | Retailers | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventus Ltd | “Team” models are black with a red stripe |
|
|
Sold for $1,000 to $1,200 |
| Ventus Ltd 17 | ||||
| Ventus Ltd Gold | ||||
| Ventus Ltd Track | “Ventus” models are black with a silver stripe | |||
| Ventus Team | ||||
| Ventus Team 17 |
Cycling Team Sponsored by Pritzker Olsen Law Firm Marks Successful Race Season
With the 2009 season of competitive junior cycling completed, we recently received an update on the Minnesota Junior Cycling team sponsored by Pritzker Olsen law firm. Our partnership with coach Dag Selander’s championship, amateur race team has been a long-term commitment that continues to benefit dedicated cyclists under the age of 19.
Firm founder and president Fred Pritzker is an avid cyclist and former racer. Fred has many years of experience representing bicyclists of all experience levels who are injured or killed in road accidents involving trucks, cars and other motor vehicles. As a law firm dedicated to upholding the rights of injured people, we continue to rely and succeed on the basis of your referrals, especially in the area of bicycle commuting and touring.
Here is the team update from Dag and assistant Mike Berkopec. Congratulations on another successful year!
2009 was a record year for Minnesota Junior Cycling in many ways. We had a record number of riders — 19 in all. Five are young women and 10 were new to the program. Our members naturally move onto the next level once they are 19, so new, young riders are a key to our mission.
Although racing and competition are at the heart of our program, the most meaningful reward is seeing our members grow as young adults. Coach Dag works with each individual to match their motivation to their goals. And due to our generous sponsors, we were able to support eight riders this year at the national road championships in Bend, Oregon. We also gave support to four riders who attended USA Cycling development camps.
Each rider grew and had success in 2009, but a few specific accomplishments are worth mentioning. Colton Barrett, 18, has been riding with us for 4 years. In July, Colton won a national championship on the track in California. He has a very bright cycling career ahead of him. At the USA Cycling US National Championships in Oregon, Nora Bengel, another one of our veteran riders, broke through some barriers and despite getting “dropped” several times by the pack, she finished with the group by the end of the race.
We thank Pritzker Olsen for its support, and we are busy planning for 2010.
15 Tips for Bicycle Safety
Below are 15 tips for bicycle safety. Many of them are encoded in Minnesota law.
- OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS- In order to be respected on the road you must also be respectful of the laws that dictate traffic.
- FOLLOW THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC- Never ride in the road against the flow of traffic. Ride in the same direction that the cars are driving.
- FOLLOW LANE MARKERS- Try to ride within the bike lane as much as possible. Never attempt to turn left from the right lane and vice versa.
- LEARN TO SCAN THE ROAD- Be aware of traffic all around you, even behind you. Be able to look behind you without swerving or falling. Some riders may use a rearview mirror for easier viewing.
- ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO BREAK- Allow extra time for rainy or wet conditions.
- KEEP YOUR BIKE IN GOOD REPAIR- Always make sure to check if your bike is functioning properly. Learn the necessities of bike repair such as changing a tire and checking the breaks.
- MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE- When riding at night or other times when visibility is difficult, dress properly. Wear reflective clothing and put both a headlight and a rear light on your bicycle.
- LOOK OUT FOR ROAD HAZARDS- When riding a bike, always pay attention to gravel, train tracks, ice and other obstacles on the road.
- USE HAND SIGNALS- Before you move, use hand signals to communicate with drivers and other cyclists.
- NEVER WEAR HEADPHONES- Always be listening to what is going on around you when riding a bike.
- AVOID OPENING DOORS- When riding past a row of parked cars, always look for drivers exiting the car. Make sure to give opening doors ample space.
- STAY OUT OF THE BLIND SPOT- Never ride or stop in a car’s blind spot. Make sure the driver can see you at all times.
- DON’T PASS ON THE RIGHT- When passing a moving vehicle, pass on the left side. Motorists are not looking for a bike or car passing them on the right side.
- DON’T RIDE DOUBLE- Never allow another person to ride on your handlebars or on the back of your bike. Additional riders for a bike not properly outfitted such as a tandem make the bike unstable and unsafe.
- WEAR A HELMET- Always wear a helmet whenever riding a bicycle.