Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Kyle A. Israel Comments on News Article about Increasing Number of Bicycle Fatalities Across United States
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) January 12, 2015 -- Commenting on a HealthDay report about a recent study finding bicyclist fatalities to be rising throughout the United States, Phoenix car accident attorney Kyle A. Israel today stressed the role that drivers of cars, trucks and other larger vehicles play in preventing fatal accidents involving bicyclists.
Israel, an attorney at Israel & Gerity, PLLC, based his comments on a Jan 2 HealthDay article called “U.S. Bicyclist Deaths on the Rise, Study Finds.” According to the article, a recent Governors Highway Safety Association study found that the number of bicyclists killed annually increased 16 percent between 2010 and 2012, more than half of which occurred in densely populated urban areas.
“Cycling is an increasingly popular way to get around the greater Phoenix area, but severe injuries and fatalities unfortunately happen to commuters and people enjoying a weekend ride,” Israel said. “As personal injury lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating impact of bicycle accidents first-hand. That’s why we encourage drivers to use extra caution when bicycles are sharing the road. Cyclists have a right to use the road, and motorists must respect that right.”
According to the HealthDay article, more than 700 bicyclists were killed on U.S. roads in 2012. The Governors Highway Safety Association study found that 69 percent of fatalities occurred in densely populated urban areas. Eighty-four percent of cyclist deaths in 2012 were adults, the article indicates.
The HealthDay article notes that the jump in fatalities may be caused by an increase in the number of commuters bicycling to and from work. Nearly 300,000 more people commuted via bicycle in 2012 than 2000, according to U.S. Census data, leading numerous large cities to develop bike lanes and change traffic patterns to accommodate bikers.
However, Israel said this accommodation has to extend to drivers of larger vehicles who share the road with bicyclists across Arizona.
“Even when wearing a helmet and other safety gear, there is only so much a bicyclist can do to protect himself in the event of an accident. Just as it’s important for cyclists to follow traffic laws and ride defensively when around larger vehicles, drivers of cars and trucks need to take preventative measures to avoid accidents as well,” Israel said. “Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol. Don’t text and drive or disobey traffic signals. When around bicyclists, all it takes is one moment of inattention to cause a serious, potentially life-threatening accident.”
About Israel & Gerity, PLLC
Attorney Kyle A. Israel obtained his degree from the Arizona State University College of Law and has practiced law in Arizona since 1994. Israel & Gerity’s legal practice focuses on helping victims of car crashes, construction accidents, construction defects, lithium toxicity, dog bites, nursing home negligence and more. Attorney Israel was anonymously selected by his peers into the first class of Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, an honor reserved for 2 percent of lawyers across the state, and has received nearly 100 percent favorable verdicts in the cases he has tried to verdict.
For more information about what to do if you or a loved one was injured in an accident, call (602) 274-4400 for a free case consultation.
Israel & Gerity, PLLC
3300 North Central Avenue
#2000
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 274-4400
http://www.ig-law.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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