Preventing Child Bicycle Accidents And Injuries
Unfortunately, child bicycle accidents happen more often than most people think. Approximately 100 children are killed, and 254,000 are injured as a result of bicycle-related accidents every year. If your child enjoys riding their bicycle, it is crucial that you do your best to protect them from accidents and injuries. Unfortunately, you cannot control how motorists and other road users behave. Nevertheless, there are several other things you can do to reduce the risk for your child.
Ways To Prevent Child Bicycle Accidents and Injuries
If your child enjoys cycling, the following are some things you can do to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Ensure correct bicycle fit: Sometimes, parents buy their children bikes they will grow into without realizing how dangerous riding a bike that is not a proper fit can be. If you are currently shopping for a bicycle for your child, make sure you look for one that is the right size for them. If possible, bring your child along with you when shopping.
- Warn your child against doing tricks on bikes: Children like engaging in bicycle stunts. Unfortunately, bicycle stunts can be dangerous. It is crucial for you as a parent to stay informed about the stunts that your child may be tempted to try out and warn your child against performing those stunts.
- Ensure your child wears a helmet: A helmet can help reduce the risk of a head injury in the event of a bicycle accident. Therefore, make it a rule for your child to always wear a helmet when they’re riding their bicycle. If your child seems unwilling to wear a helmet, try allowing them to choose one for themselves.
- Encourage your child to behave in a way motorists would expect: For example, you should encourage your child to avoid swerving between vehicles or entering the road in unpredictable ways.
- Ensure your child gears up correctly: Apart from ensuring your child wears a helmet each time they go cycling, you need to ensure they wear the proper shoes and clothing. For example, you should make sure your child never goes cycling with loose clothes as such clothes can get caught in pedals or handlebars.
- Encourage your child not to ride their bicycle at night: Visibility is usually low at night, so it would be best for your child not to ride their bike at night. However, if your child must ride their bicycle at night or in dim light, ensure they wear colorful clothes and use lights and reflectors. Bright clothes, lights, and reflectors make cyclists more visible to motorists.
- Discourage distractions: For example, you should discourage your child from wearing headphones when on their bicycle. It would be best if you also discouraged your child from texting while cycling. Such distractions increase the risk of falling from a bike or being hit by a vehicle.
Contact a Key West & Marathon Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If despite doing everything possible to keep your child safe, your child is injured in a bicycle accident by a negligent driver, it is crucial that you reach out to an attorney. Our Key West & Marathon bicycle accident lawyers can give you the help you need in such a situation. We can help you hold the negligent party responsible and recover the compensation you deserve.
Resource:
