Bicycle accidents are a frequent occurrence in San Antonio.
Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run on the West Side
According to a KSAT News report, a woman was killed by a vehicle that didn’t stop while riding her bicycle this morning.
Police reported the incident occurred today at around 6:30 a.m. on South General McMullen Drive near Monterey Street. They have no information on the vehicle, but they reported that the driver momentarily stopped before driving away from the scene. The street was temporarily closed for the police investigation. The woman was reportedly in her 40s.
Did You Know?
64% of bicycle accidents happen away from intersections, where drivers are more likely to be speeding.
Bike Injuries in San Antonio — Who’s at Risk and How to Protect Yourself
There were 996 cyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2021 nationwide. Locally, San Antonio is not exactly known for being safe for cyclists, which you probably already know if you ever tried to bike near the street here.
There are certain age groups and crash characteristics that make bicycle accidents more likely to occur for specific groups. Let’s take a look at who is most at risk for a bicycle accident in San Antonio and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
At-Risk Groups for Bicycle Accidents
Some people are more likely to die in bicycle accidents than others. According to the most recent data available, the most vulnerable age group and sex are:
- 55-69 Years Old — This age group has the highest fatality rate for both traffic and non-traffic bicycle accidents.
- Male — Males represented 89% of all bicycle fatalities, nearly 8x as many as females.
Men are also far more likely to be seriously injured in bicycle accidents than females, with an injury rate 5x greater than their female counterparts.
Other Contributing Factors
Environmental factors also contribute to the likelihood of serious injury and fatality rates for cyclists. These include:
- Time of Year — The warmer months of May through October see the highest rate of bicycle accident fatalities. The lowest rate of fatalities occurs in February.
- Location — More populous urban areas see greater rates of bicycle fatalities. Nearly three-quarters of bicycle fatalities occur in urban areas.
- Non-intersection Streets — Only 27% of bicycle fatalities occur at intersections, likely due to the decreased speeds at which cars travel through intersections.
Any accident resulting in the fatality of the cyclist is also more likely to involve a drunk motorist or cyclist.
Keep Yourself Safe
Even if you’re not in the most at-risk group for a bicycle accident in San Antonio, these tips from the NHTSA will help you avoid an accident while cycling on the street.
- Practice Defensive Driving — Stay alert to the traffic around you and avoid potential problems before they happen.
- Stay Alert — Don’t wear headphones or listen to music while cycling. Always be watching and listening to the traffic around you.
- Drive Predictably — Stay where you are visible, drive with the flow of traffic, and make predictable movements. This gives drivers more time to react to you.
Many cyclists in San Antonio follow all these rules and still get hurt by careless drivers. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a cycling accident in San Antonio, contact Carabin Shaw.
Bicycle Accident Attorneys in San Antonio
Carabin Shaw has been representing those injured by careless drivers while riding their bikes in San Antonio for 30 years. We put our clients first because we care. Contact our team today at 800-862-1260 to get your case reviewed by an attorney for free. We look forward to serving you.