Bicycle Accidents

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is committed to making Lexington more bicycle-friendly. In recent years, the city has more than doubled its biking trails, created the 12 mile shared-use Legacy Trail, and added a number of bike lanes to its streets. During the summer of 2018, Lexington even partnered with a bike share company to offer self-locking smart bikes that can be rented throughout the city for a nominal fee.

At the Lexington Visitor’s Center on Main Street, Bike Lexington maps are provided free of charge. Included routes will take you on a tour through some of the city’s historic neighborhoods. Outside the city, country lane itineraries afford scenic rides across backroads and past idyllic horse farms. City officials have done a great job with giving interested parties access to bicycles and bike lanes/paths.

Accidents Are on the Rise

Cycling is becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation and as a form of exercise. Unfortunately, the surge in cyclists on roads that were traditionally traveled solely by motor vehicles has led to a dramatic increase in bicycle accidents resulting in injuries or death. The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that pedalcycling fatalities had increased 6.3% from 2017 to 2018. There were a total of 859 pedalcycling deaths in 2018, making it the deadliest year for cyclists since 1990.¹ On a local level, data from the Kentucky State Police reports a total of 332 crashes in 2018 that involved pedalcyclists, and nine were fatal.²

Cyclists Are Vulnerable

Bike accident injuries occur for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons are motorist error, cyclist error, environmental hazards, and manufacturer defects. Regardless of the cause, when accidents happen, the consequences for cyclists can be life-altering, or even fatal. Cyclists are extremely vulnerable due to a lack of protection and injuries are often severe with a prolonged recovery time.

Injuries may include:

• Cuts and abrasions
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Dental fractures
• Dislocated joints
• Hand/wrist injury
• Knee/ankle injury
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic head injury

Kentucky Law Considers a Bicycle a Vehicle

Under Kentucky state law, any bicycle on a roadway is viewed legally as a vehicle, so a cyclist has all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of automobiles. Although bike laws are in place, motorists may not be aware of what those laws entail, or may not be accustomed to watching out for the unexpected cyclist.

An overview of Kentucky state statutes on bicycles may be found HERE. Additionally, Lexington has its own bicycle ordinances under Article X, and those may be found HERE.

What to Do When a Bike Accident Occurs

The days and weeks following a bicycle accident are crucial for evidence gathering to support your claim. My office can help with obtaining photographs of the crash site, eye witness statements, and any camera surveillance footage.

If  you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, damage to your bicycle, and more. If your injuries require longterm care or result in permanent impairment, you may also be entitled to receive compensation for the cost of future medical treatments, in addition to the impact your injuries have on your ability to earn a living.

Consultations in bike accident cases are free. 

Call Frank Jenkins at (859) 389-9344.

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References:
1.National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2019, October). 2018 fatal motor vehicle crashes: Overview. (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 812 826). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.                                                                                                        2. FY 2018 Annual Report. (2019). FY 2018 Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/ky_fy2018_ar_.pdf