Children love riding bikes — learning to ride is one of many people’s most vivid childhood memories. However, child bike accidents are a natural consequence of this. Children account for a quarter of bicycle deaths and half of all bike injuries
In this article, we will outline a few preventative measures against child bike accidents, as well as what to do if your child is involved in one.
How to Prevent Child Bike Accidents
- Children should always wear a well-fitted bike helmet (parents should wear one, as well — to set an example).
- Teach your child to look both ways before entering the street. 8% of all child bike accidents occur when kids ride out of a driveway and into the path of an oncoming car.
- Remove unnecessary obstacles that could limit your child’s view of oncoming cars (trash cans, parked cars, etc.)
- Teach your child the importance of always obeying stop signs, even if they don’t see a car coming.
- Make sure children understand hand signals and safe turning.
- Your child should have a bike that fits them — getting them a bicycle they can “grow into” can be dangerous, since they may not be able to control an oversized bike.
What to Do if Your Child is in a Bike Accident
- Get information from everyone involved, including witnesses, at the scene of the accident. Take pictures and call the police for an official police record.
- Once your child’s immediate medical needs are taken care of, contact an experienced bike accident lawyer. They can help you recover damages and expenses caused by the accident.
- Consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement offers from the insurance company.
- Get thorough medical treatment and document everything.
- Read our free Bike Accident Handbook for clear explanations of every step of the bike accident claims process.
If your child is injured in a bike accident, contact us today for a free consultation about an injury claim. We want to help them recover and get back to making great memories on their bike.
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