A man was killed last week in Jacksonville after being hit by a car while he was riding his bike. The man was hit while crossing an intersection around 9pm. He was not wearing a helmet, and was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene. It is unclear as of now if the driver of the car was at fault.
No matter what kind of riding you plan on doing, wearing a helmet is essential for bicycle safety. Bicycle accidents are extremely dangerous, even at low speeds. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported more than 48,000 bicycling injuries in traffic in 2013. That’s more than 130 every day. If those numbers aren’t enough to convince you, here are a few more reasons you should be strapping on a helmet every time you ride.
Protect Your Head
The CDC says that about 40 percent of all bicycle accidents involve head injuries. More than 60 percent of all deaths in bicycle accidents are from head injuries. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury by approximately 85 percent.
Be a Role Model
Adults, and especially parents, can set good examples for children by exercising a little bike safety. Wearing a helmet is even more important for kids, who are at the highest risk of bicycle accident injuries. By setting a good example, you may persuade a child to act more cautiously as well.
Increased Visibility
A common reason that bicyclists get hit is simply that the drivers did not see them. Wearing a helmet can increase the chances that you’ll be seen, and hopefully not hit. Many helmets even have reflective surfaces that make you almost impossible to not see.
Protection from the Weather
Weather is always unpredictable and can go bad at any minute. Some helmets can protect you from the elements, whether it’s the blistering sun, the bone-chilling cold, the heavy rain, or the light hail.
McBride, Scicchitano & Leacox, P.A. – Orlando bicycle accident lawyers