Protecting Children Against Bicycle Accidents In Maryland

Children love to ride bikes, and it is common to see them on local streets during the summer months. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents in Maryland pose serious risks at this time of year, and children are among the most frequent victims. Our Maryland bicycle accident attorney explains common hazards, and steps parents can take to protect young cyclists.

The High Risk Of Children’s Bicycle Accidents In Maryland

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage in a child’s life. They spend hours riding with their friends in local neighborhoods, and as they approach their teen years, they increasingly rely on bicycling as a means of transportation. It is important for parents to be aware of the risks.

Close to 700 people suffer bicycle accident injuries in Maryland each year, according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The highest number of crashes occur during the months of June, July, and August, and children are among the most common victims. Injuries they suffer can be severe and potentially life-threatening.

Children’s bicycle accidents can happen anywhere and often due to the reckless actions of motorists. Among the leading causes include:

• Speeding near local schools, parks, or other places where children are likely to ride their bikes;
• Not being alert for them in local neighborhoods, leading to rollover accidents and other types of crashes;
• Failure to stop at red lights or yield to bicyclists in crosswalks;
• Being distracted and swerving in and out of bike lanes;
• Driving while impaired and other dangerous driving behaviors.

How Parents Can Protect Children Against Bicycle Accidents In Maryland

One of the biggest ways parents can help protect the safety of young cyclists and reduce potentially serious bike accident injuries in Maryland is by investing in the appropriate safety gear when buying their children a bike.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) advises that all cyclists under the age of 16 are legally required to wear a helmet. Wearing long pants, the appropriate shoes, and knee pads can help reduce injury risks as well. Other steps parents can take to protect young bike riders include:

• Make sure the size of your child’s bike fits their build and skill level;
• Provide proper bike maintenance and inspect chains, brakes, and other parts regularly;
• Limit where and how far young riders can go;
• Encourage older children to avoid areas with heavy traffic;
• Teach them bike hand signals, which help them communicate with motorists;
• Remind them to never assume a driver sees them and to always stop at intersections, parking lot entrances, and other potentially dangerous places.

Request A Consultation With Our Maryland Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Bicycle accidents in Maryland can happen despite taking precautions, generally due to reckless driving behavior. At Berman, Sobin, Gross LLP, we hold at-fault drivers accountable and help your family get the compensation you need to cover your costs. To request a consultation with our Maryland bicycle accident attorneys, contact our office today.

Sources:

mva.maryland.gov/Documents/FY19_Bicycle_ProgramAreaBriefFINAL.pdf

roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/index.aspx?PageId=357#:~:text=It%20is%20recommended%20that%20all,includes%20roadways%2C%20trails%20and%20sidewalks