A total of 716 bicyclists were killed in the United States during 2008 and another 52,000 were injured, according to statistics just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The vast majority of those involved in fatal bicycle accidents were middle-aged men, ages 35-64.
Overall, bicycle fatalities have declined 6 percent in the last decade — 760 cyclists were killed in 1998. However, bicycle deaths increased from the 701 deaths recorded in 2007.
The Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes are outspoken advocates for the rights of cyclists and experienced Chicago injury lawyers who fight for the rights of cyclists who are injured or killed.
The most bicycle deaths ever recorded was 1,003 in 1975.
In Illinois, 27 people were killed in bicycle accidents, the sixth-highest in the nation.
The five states with the most bicycle fatalities were Florida (125), California (109), Texas (53), New York (42) and North Carolina (32).
One in seven bicycle fatalities in 2008 were between the ages of 5 and 15.
The average age of cyclists injured or killed has been increasing along with the popularity of cycling among older adults. The average age of cyclists killed increased from 32 in 1998 to 41 last year. The average age of bicycle injuries increased from 24 in 1998 to 31 last year.
Cycling fatalities occur primarily among men, with 87 percent of fatalities and 79 percent of injuries involving males.
Men ages 45-54 were involved in the most fatal accidents (161) followed by men ages 55-64 (103) and men ages 35-44 (77).
For more information about the work of Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, visit the Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog or the firm’s summer safe cyclist blog.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a bicycle accident, the Chicago injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes offer free appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS.