Mission Valley Rider Killed in Bicycle Accident

A recent bicycle accident in Mission Valley claimed the life of a cyclist. The man had been riding in the 8800 block of Friars Road around 8:30pm when he was struck and killed by a BMW. According to police, the cyclist and the driver of the BMW were going down Friars Road in the same direction when the cyclist attempted to change lanes diagonally and crossed into the car’s path.

The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver suffered some minor injuries, but his two passengers were unharmed.

What Can I Do to Avoid Bicycle Accidents?

Only 1 percent of transportation in the U.S. is by bicycle, but the rate of accidents among cyclists is higher than with any other type of vehicle. Effective ways to avoid being on the wrong side of a statistic include:

• Obey Traffic Laws – Make sure that you know and understand all California bicycle laws before you ever start pedaling. The thing about these laws is that they aren’t there to inconvenience you, they are there to keep you as safe as possible.
• Install Proper Lighting – Drivers have a hard time seeing cyclists, which is a leading cause of bicycle accidents. This is especially true at night, so always keep your bike lit up properly. Check out this nifty bif you are unsure how much lighting you need.
• Avoid Dangerous Streets – Streets that see a lot or high-speed traffic should be avoided if possible. Instead, try to plan your routes through residential areas or streets that have dedicated bike lanes.
• Use the Full Lane – Riders that use the full lane rather than coasting on the side are more likely to frustrate drivers behind them (they can get over it, you have just as much right to be there as they do!), and less likely to be hit by a car trying to overtake them.
• Wear a Helmet – This is less about avoiding the accident and more about avoiding death if you do get in an accident. Since head injury is far and away the leading cause of death in bicycle accidents, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Bonnici Law Group is an avid cyclist himself, so he knows the dangers that riders face every day. He handles bicycle accident cases in San Diego and the surrounding area.