Minneapolis Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise
In 2010 Minneapolis was named the nation’s “best city for bicycling” by Bicycle Magazine. We would like to see it become the safest bicycling city in the nation. In spite of a bicycle-friendly culture and designated bicycle lanes Minneapolis bicycle and pedestrian accidents are on the rise. On average, every year 8 people are killed in bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Minnesota.
Summer has not even started and we are halfway to the yearly average. Just in the last two weeks the following accidents were reported:
- Minneapolis Pedestrian Accident: A pedestrian was injured when hit by a pickup truck near Target Field.
- Uptown: A taxi cab hit four people while they were crossing the street at Hennepin Avenue and Lake street in Minneapolis, in the crosswalk. One woman was killed.
- Dinkytown: A hit-and-run driver struck three pedestrians, killing one and injuring the other two.
- Dinkytown: A bicyclist was hit and killed by a right turning truck at 15th Avenue SE and 4th Street SE.
- Winona Bicycle Accident: A 73-year-old woman was killed in a bicycle – school bus collision. The bicyclist was in the bike lane on Sarnia Street when a 2003 International school bus made a wide left turn from Chippewa Street onto Sarnia, hitting and killing the bicyclist.
According to the Minneapolis Police Department, the number one contributing factor to bicycle – pedestrian – motor vehicle accidents is failure to yield. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians share the blame:
- Motorists fail to be observant of bicycles and pedestrian.
- Bicyclists disregard traffic signals and do not obey the rules of the road.
- Pedestrians disregard traffic signals and jaywalk in congested areas.
With the warmer weather, drivers need to exercise more caution as they drive. Then, even though the law is on their side, pedestrians and cyclists need to be alert and watch out for themselves.
Attorney Fred Pritzker is an avid bicyclist and he knows how to get injured cyclists the compensation they deserve. If you were injured in a Minneapolis bicycle accident, a Minnesota bicycle accident lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. will meet you wherever it is convenient for you. For a free consultation with a Minnesota bicycle accident attorney, please call 612-338-0202 or submit our free consultation form.
Tags: Bicycle Accident Lawyer MN, Bicycle Safety Lawyer, Minneapolis Bicycle Accident