You should always ride or drive carefully, no matter where you are. However, you’re most likely to get in a traffic accident at or near an intersection. Often this overlaps with “failure to yield” accidents, where the vehicle driver doesn’t see the bike until it’s too late.
Here are some common causes of bike accidents at intersections:
The vehicle driver doesn’t stop for a red light or stop sign, or they stop but start up again too soon. Sometimes they attempt a rolling stop. The driver may not see the bicyclist, or in some cases, they think the bike will be out of the way by the time they reach the intersection. Either way, motorists need to understand that once a bike rider enters the intersection legally, they have the right of way. Always come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign, and look thoroughly in both directions before proceeding.
Sometimes the bicycle and car enter the intersection in the same direction, then the motorist hooks a left, cutting off the bike. Again, failing to see the bike may be one cause of this kind of accident. The driver may also inaccurately judge how fast the bike is going, or forget to use a turn signal to warn the bike rider. Drivers should be cautious when turning, looking in the mirror, and taking a fast glance over their shoulder. Always use your turning signal.
Another variation of this kind of accident is the “right hook” collision. In this situation, the driver pulls up at an intersection and turns right. They may clip a bicyclist in the bike lane or sidewalk, especially if the biker doesn’t realize the car is about to turn. If the car is parallel to the bike, the bike rider may not be able to see the blinking tail lights. Aside from using a turn signal, drivers should look carefully to the right and behind them before turning. If you see a bicyclist approaching the road you’ll be turning onto, go slowly so you can stop if necessary.
But intersections aren’t the only place accidents happen. Another common crash type is the sideswiping accident. Again, both cars may go in the same direction when the car moves over and clips the bicycle. This doesn’t sound like a serious accident, but it can be for the bicyclist! Unfortunately, any collision between a car and a bicycle will have more severe consequences for the bike rider. Motorists should always look carefully before changing lanes and should keep an eye out for people in the bike lanes or on the sidewalk.