The G3 Take is where we lend our legal professionism and experience to the popular and pressing personal-injury-related issues going on in the Knoxville area and around the country.
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With a renewed interest in people commuting to work by way of bicycle, there has been a concomitant increase in motor vehicle-bicycle accidents, many of them fatal, according to news released from Knox County planners recently. The trending toward alternate means of transportation is not predicted to slow anytime soon for several reasons. Studies show cyclists who commute to work test healthier in vital health functions than their sedentary counterparts who drive. Surprisingly, cyclists breathe in less amounts of noxious fumes than those who drive. Further, bicycle commuting is cheaper than insuring, fueling and maintaining cars. There’s also the added benefit of contributing to a healthier environment through less fossil fuel use.
The wise and circumspect cyclist would be well advised, however, to be extra cautious. Commuting is not a race. Taking chances to save a bit of time is not worth the risk. Legally, all cyclists are held to the same rules of the road as are automobiles. Thus, it would behoove all cyclists to not only obey all traffic laws, but also extend caution to his or her utmost due to many motorists, especially in this distracted era of cell phone usage, simply not looking out for those riding on two wheels. And even for those motorists who are sensitive to non-motorists on the roadways, it is often difficult to visualize the smaller profile of the cyclist or pedestrian.
So, if you’ve taken up cycling to and from work, or simply for recreation, bully for you and thank you. But also, please, be extra cautious as you ride. And for you motorists, please pay full attention to the task at hand. As an attorney who specializes in injury law, I have seen way too many seriously injured folks in my office due to distracted drivers.
