Bicycle Accidents have been on the rise in Louisiana since 2008. As of 2015, Louisiana is rated as the third deadliest state in the nation for bicyclist.

1. BICYCLE ACCIDENTS IN LOUISIANA
The Statistics and Your Rights

2. Statistics on Louisiana
Bike Accidents
 Bicycle deaths have been on the rise in
Louisiana since 2008. In 2015, 34
bicyclists were killed in Louisiana, a steep
rise from the 11 killed in 2008.
 As of 2015, Louisiana rated as the third
deadliest state in the nation for bicyclists,
with a mortality rate of 0.33 deaths per
100,000 people. The only states with a
higher bicycle fatality rate were Delaware
(No. 2, with 0.38 deaths per 100,000) and
Florida (No. 1, with 0.57 deaths per
100,000 people).
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3. Rights of Bicyclists
 As a bicyclist, you have the same rights to
use the roads as any other driver.
Automobile drivers are required to show
you the same respect as any other vehicle
on the road.
 The law requires motor vehicle drivers to
give bikes at least three feet of clearance
when passing. Unfortunately, this doesn’t
always happen in practice. Many drivers
treat bicyclists as if they didn’t belong on
the road.
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4. How Accidents Happen
 One reason bicycle accidents happen is simply
that drivers aren’t psychologically primed to
look for bicycles on the road. A driver who
scans for cars before crossing an intersection,
for example, might “see” a bicyclist without
being consciously aware of it—because the
driver is looking for motor vehicles.
 Of course, some drivers take this further,
looking at bicyclists as if they don’t deserve
to be on the road. Mark Martin, president of
Bike Baton Rouge, says, “I’ve seen people
refer to bicyclists as ‘roaches.’”
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5. Common Injuries
• Head injury—Despite the laws about helmets,
head injuries still account for about 60
percent of bicycle deaths and 30 percent of
bicycle-related emergency room visits.
• Broken bones—especially arms, wrists, and
collar bones.
• Sprains, strains, and contusions—these are the
most common injuries. Most of the time they
don’t require medical attention.
• Abdominal and genital injuries—usually caused
when the bicycle frame (including the seat)
crumple under the force of an accident. Can
be extremely painful.
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6. Consequences of
Serious Injuries
 Head and neck injuries can lead to serious
long-term problems. Severe neck injuries
can lead to permanent immobility and
leave you with annual medical bills of
more than $100,000.
 Broken bones can usually be treated
without permanent disability.
 Abdominal and genital injuries can have
serious long-term effects. Investing in a
specialized bike seat can mitigate the risk
of this kind of injury.
FREE CONSULT: 318.487.9537

7. What can we do About
Bicycle Accidents?
 Improved education—Many drivers don’t
know the law. Better knowledge of the
law concerning bicycles might take care
of the problem. Drivers need to know that
bicyclists are entitled to the same rights
and protections as any other driver.
 Bike lanes—Louisiana’s cities lag far
behind the rest of the country in building
bike lanes and trails. Bicycles should be
allowed their own lanes, reducing the
likelihood of accidents and giving
bicyclists the space they need.
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8. Tips for Cyclists
 Use bicycle lanes and trails if they’re available.
 Wear a helmet.
 Be aware of your surroundings.
 Plan your route to avoid busy streets if possible.
 In areas where sidewalks are available and
bicycles are allowed to use them, stick to the
sidewalks.
 Give clear signals before turning.
 If bicycling at night/in bad weather, wear
reflective equipment.
 Keep your tires inflated and maintain your bike
well. Treat it as seriously as any other vehicle.
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9. Tips for Drivers
 Remember the law—give bicycles three
feet of clearance when passing. Treat
bicycles with the same respect you would
give any other vehicle.
 Remember to look for bicycles—if you
don’t remember to look for them on the
road, you may not notice them until it’s
too late.
 Pay extra attention for bicycles if you
notice a bike lane, or the pair of chevrons
in the lane that alert you that bicycles
may be sharing your lane.
FREE CONSULT: 318.487.9537

10. When to Talk to an
Attorney
 If you’ve been injured in a bicycle
accident, talk to an attorney as soon as
you can reach one. Get medical
treatment for your injuries and get in
touch with a trusted lawyer as soon as
your condition allows it.
 If the accident was caused by another
driver’s negligence, you deserve a
settlement that covers your medical costs
and compensates you for your pain and
suffering. Contact an attorney when you
can.
FREE CONSULT: 318.487.9537

11. Chris J. Roy, Jr. APLC has been serving the
people of Louisiana from its Alexandria
office since 1989. We handle a variety of
cases and look forward to addressing your
legal needs. For almost three decades, we
have been defending and filing claims for
individuals hurt in accidents, and we have
the knowledge, experience and resources
to help you.
If you have questions or would like to set
up a consultation, contact us online or
call us at 318.487.9537.
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