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
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 |
Minneapolis Truck-Bicycle Accident Results in Death
A bicyclist was killed this morning when a commercial truck driver turned into the cycling lane on Park Avenue. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our law firm is currently handling a case very much like this one. On August 15, 2008, Julie Casey died when she and her bicycle were struck by a semi-truck-trailer combination at a busy intersection. Her death was caused by the negligence of the truck driver and was entirely preventable if the driver had been looking where he was going and paying attention to bicyclists traveling on an adjoining bicycle path. Read about the LOOK bumper sticker designed in memory of Julie.
Attorney Fred Pritzker is an avid cyclist and former racer. He represents bicycle accident victims and their families with passion and understanding. We welcome family members to contact Fred or another attorney at our law firm to help protect the family’s legal rights: 612-338-0202 or submit our free consultation form.