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How can parked cars on the street cause bicycle accidents?

On Behalf of | Sep 2, 2022 | Bicycle Accidents |

When you travel the streets on your bicycle, you may notice the variety of vehicles around you. While some cars and trucks are slower than others, they could often crowd you or leave you worried that you could get hurt.

One source of injuries that you may not think about is a parked car along the street. An impatient or fatigued driver may make a mistake and knock you off your bicycle.

Failing to look for approaching riders

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person sitting in their car may assume that no one is coming up behind them and open their door into the street. If they do not check their mirrors or look outside their windows, they could put you in danger.

This action can lead to a rider getting thrown off their bicycle and potentially suffering from head or spine injuries. Not only will you hit the hard pavement or road below, but the force of the door and the speed of your bicycle can also impact how severe the injuries are.

Focusing on distractions

If a driver does not take the time to look around, distractions could be the source of this behavior. Whether they are staring at their phone or talking to another person in the car, any kind of negligence could lead to a bicycle accident.

These could include mental or physical distractions, such as daydreaming about another topic or eating food. People sitting in parked cars can often put anyone passing by on a bicycle in danger if they open up their doors into them.