Robert Goldwater

Arizona’s statute of limitations gives cyclists two years to sue after a hit-and-run accident, usually counted from the crash date. A government vehicle changes those rules, and if you were under 18, the two years start on your 18th birthday. If the driver is never identified, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may still pay for your injuries, written notice to your...

No federal rule governs how you ride. Federal regulations reach the machine itself and stop there. In nearly every locale a cycle is classified alongside cars under the legal framework, handing you the same protections and obligations as any operator. Each state, jurisdiction and municipality layers its own rules on top, which is why Texas cycling rules and California...

Bike accidents cause harm ranging from minor skin scrapes to life-changing head injuries. The most common include soft-tissue damage, broken bones (especially the collarbone), and head wounds. Head injuries alone cause more than 60% of fatal cycling outcomes. In 2023, US hospitals treated 341,774 nonfatal cases. Of those, roughly 50,000 involved motor vehicles, and 1,166...

The most common cause of serious bicycle accidents is a broadside crash at an intersection, where an automobile and a rider cross paths, accounting for about 35% of fatal and serious crashes. The top factors are unsafe velocity (16.5%), failing to yield (16.3%), and improper turning (15%). In 82% of fatal crashes, the front of the automobile struck the cyclist, meaning...

A certified, well-fitted bicycle helmet sharply lowers your risk of dying from a head injury in a crash. Still, no helmet can prevent every fatal injury when a car hits you. On American streets you share the lane with cars, trucks, and buses, and all of them move far faster than any test lab drops a helmet. In a bicycle accident, your skull takes the blow, your brain shifts...

On a bike you have no frame or airbag to absorb a crash, so your head often takes the impact against the road or a car. Brain injuries can change how you work, sleep and think for months afterward. Helmet use cuts head injury risk by about half, although none is concussion-proof. How Common Are Head Injuries in Bicycle Accidents? Head injuries show up in about one in...

Yes, in most states you can face charges for riding a bike under the influence. Statutes covering “any vehicle” include bicycles; those saying “motor vehicle” usually do not. That can bring fines, potential jail time, a criminal record, and in some states the loss of your license. Many people assume biking home is the responsible choice, but DUI...

In 2023, 1,155 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, the highest recorded number and an 86% increase from the 2010 low point. Cyclists account for just 1% of all trips, yet they represent 2–3% of all motor-vehicle-related deaths. Most fatal bicycle crashes occur in urban areas, at non-intersection locations, and increasingly involve light trucks...