BICYCLE ACCIDENTS IN LOS ANGELES, CA

Bicycle accidents have been a serious problem in Los Angeles, Ca- every year hundreds of people either get severely injured or unfortunately lose their life, due to bicycle accidents. One factor is that the city is densely populated, and the amount of drivers has risen drastically.

Most Common Bicycle Accidents

• “Dooring”, is when a motorist opens their door into the path of the cyclist, which causes the rider to either fall head on or crash into the door- this can cause minor to severe injuries, ranging from neck pain to head trauma.

• “Right Hook” and “Left Cross”, occurs when a driver turns onto the path of an oncoming cyclist, which often occurs at intersections where motorists fail to see approaching cyclists, and intersections where motorists do not yield to oncoming traffic.

Most Common Injuries Associated with Bicycle Accidents

• “Road Rash”, happens when the skin comes in contact with the ground or another surface and rubs off, which is painful and can require medical attention.

• “Concussion”, is a type of brain injury that can occur when the head strikes an object. They can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and even loss of consciousness; which can also lead to long-term problems such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating.

• “Fracture”, is when a bone cracks, which can be mildly painful and require surgery to heal properly; it can also lead to long term problems such as chronic pain and limited mobility.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 783 bicyclists killed in California in 2016. This was a 12.3% increase from the year before. Los Angeles County accounted for the highest number of bicycle fatalities in the state, with 118 deaths. This is a rate of 4.4 deaths per 100,000 people, which is higher than the rate for the state as a whole (3.3 deaths per 100,000 people).