Safety on the road is always an important issue to which policymakers should pay close attention. Watching emerging trends in accidents on the roads can help guide policymakers in implementing policies to avoid accidents. A recently released report shows that there has been an increase in accidents on the road in Texas and other states. However, many were surprised to see that fatalities from bicycle accidents increased more than vehicle deaths.
The report, which was released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), shows that the number of people dying from bicycle accidents seems to be trending rapidly upward. During the period between 2010 and 2012, the number of deaths caused by bicycle accidents increased by 16 percent. This is significant when it is taken into consideration that the number of fatalities from car accidents has only increased by 1 percent during this same time span.
Adults 25 years of age and older accounted for 84 percent of deaths among bicyclists in 2012, which is a dramatic increase compared to 1975 when only 21 percent of bicyclist deaths were within this demographic. About 74 percent of the bicyclists who died in 2012 were adult males, according to the study released by the GHSA. Statistics also revealed that six states, including Texas, accounted for 54 percent of the deaths from bicycle accidents.
The increase in deaths caused by bicycle accidents means there was an increase in the families mourning the loss of loved ones in Texas and other states. This can be an emotionally trying time for any mourning family. Many just want to be left alone in order to mourn in peace, but it may behoove a mourning family to consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit if the death of their loved one may have been caused by a driver on the road or any other negligent party or individual.
Source: claimsjournal.com, “Bike Fatalities Rise, Adult Males at Highest Risk“, Nov. 14, 2014