You will see a lot more bicyclists than usual this Friday on your commute to and from work, as it is Bike to Work Day, sponsored by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
More than 10,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the event, and there will be 79 pit stops around bicycle routes in the area serving refreshments. For information about how you can participate, you can click here. The site also provides information about bicycle safety and how to participate in commuter convoys.
Our law firm appreciates events like this that raise awareness about bicycle safety in the District. Keep in mind, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, more than 800 bicyclists were killed and more than 500,000 people sustained injuries nationwide in accidents that were reported to law enforcement agencies.
If you plan to participate in this event, make sure you wear protective clothing like gloves and a helmet, and follow all traffic signals and signs.
How an Attorney Can Help a Bicycle Accident Victim From Bike To Work Day
Unfortunately, no matter how many precautions a bicyclist takes, sometimes accidents occur due to negligent drivers. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident or your loved one has been killed, you should talk to an attorney about how the civil laws in the area may apply to your situation.
Currently, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland have contributory negligence laws that affect bicycle accident victims, so it is important to speak to an attorney if you have been injured. These laws place a heavy burden on victims, as they must prove that they are not at all responsible for an accident that occurred, in order to collect damages. This is different from most states, which have comparative negligence laws. For more information about this subject, you can check out this blog post sponsored by attorney Kelly Fisher.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, our attorneys offer experience, compassion and success. Our firm has more than 30 years of experience working on behalf of those hurt by inattentive drivers in Washington, DC.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.