A recent car accident involving a 9-year-old boy from El Cajon served as sobering reminder of the importance of practicing proper bicycle safety, but what’s more, it brings to light the need for driver education as bicyclists share our road.

On June 3, Keith Norton was riding his bike to Madison Avenue Elementary School when he was suddenly hit by a driver behind the wheel of an SUV. According to 10 News San Diego, the young boy was seriously injured as a result of the accident, and was immediately rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital where he was treated for a broken leg and number of cuts and scrapes.

Amazingly, and most importantly, the third-grader survived.

Keith recounted the event to reporters, explaining, “Somehow, I got knocked down and I woke up under the car.” The boy added that he remembered feeling “very sad and scared.”

Had Keith not been wearing his bicycle helmet on the morning of his accident, his story would have changed from a close call to a tragedy.

A special assembly was held Tuesday at Keith’s school to emphasize the importance of bicycle safety, where El Cajon police officers and firefighters surprised Keith with a new bike and helmet. Police remind bike riders that it is required by law to wear a helmet for individuals under the age of 18.

Summer’s here: Driver tips for bicycle safety

I’ve covered bike safety plenty of times throughout my blog – but what about driver awareness for bicyclists? Here, I’ll cover the top 3 safety tips for sharing the road safely. Now that summer’s here, we’ll see more bikes on our sidewalks and neighborhood streets. It’s our responsibility as drivers to be just as aware of bicyclists as they are of us.

Driver Safety Tips

#3 – Make eye contact with bicyclists

Many times, I’ve educated bicyclists on making proper eye contact with drivers to create awareness and bring attention to their presence. The same rings true for drivers as well since it increases focus on the road and the people around you. In other words, if you see a bicyclist approaching, attempt to make eye contact with the rider. Doing so reassures the bicyclist that you see him or her, and the act alone requires attention and focus, thereby reducing risk of a bicycle accident.

#2 – Expect to see bikes on the road, not merely on sidewalks

Know that bicycles are considered vehicles and can use the roads just as any other vehicle can including your car. Expect to see bikes in turning lanes, and not just shoulders, sidewalks, or bike lanes. Many experienced bicyclists elect to use the roadway for a more efficient ride, and many are already aware of traffic laws. However, some riders many not use proper hand signals or follow laws, so expect to compensate through  increased road attentiveness and focus.

#1 – Be aware: Kids on bikes “come out of nowhere”

When drivers are interviewed after colliding with a child on a bike, they often say “s/he came out of nowhere!” – but that’s no excuse. As proactive parents, we already know children are creatively evasive. Children can transcend from a ‘safe’ to ‘dangerous’ situation in a heartbeat. Learn to drive with an expectation that a child just may “come out of nowhere.” In other words, drive cautiously, and don’t speed along neighborhood streets just because you want to get home a minute or two earlier. It’s not worth it – and through our experience, we’ve seen needless bicycle injury accidents in San Diego that could have been prevented.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines

Michael Pines, founder,  is San Diego’s safety ambassador with running columns at the La Jolla Light, Del Mar Times, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Carmel Valley News, and Solana Beach Sun. His mission is to help prevent accidents in San Diego and help those injured seek fair recovery. For a free legal consultation with the Law Offices of Michael Pines, call 1-800-655-6585 or use the online form to submit details of your case.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Planning to squeeze in an afternoon jog while listening to that new Lady Gaga single? Think again. iPods and cell phones may be as ubiquitous on the sidewalks as they are in the office, but thanks to recent proposals across the nation pedestrian earphones could soon become a punishable offense.

Most individuals are aware that distracted driving poses as a significant contributor to car accidents. But now, the prevalence of pedestrians who use interactive devices, also contributing to car accidents, has inspired lawmakers to take new statistics and scientific findings to the floor.

How “auditory masking” impacts pedestrian safety

A report released last week by the Governors Highway Safety Association shows pedestrian fatalities are on the rise for the first time in four years due to distracted pedestrians who, by use of earphones or other musical devices, have been subject to “auditory masking.”

Auditory masking is a risky behavior defined by the Washington-based group as an activity that filters out external noises including oncoming traffic, contributing to pedestrian injury or even pedestrian fatality.

Fines on the line: legislative proposals to curb pedestrian distraction

While senators in New York and Arkansas have tried to ban pedestrian earphone use outright, California State Senator Joe Simitian took a more moderate approach. You may remember Simitian as the leader behind current measures prohibiting drivers from texting or using hand-held devices.

In keeping with existing legislation, Simitian now hopes to instate a $20 fine for cyclists who send text messages and to increase the current fine for texting drivers by an additional $30.

Mr. Simitian admits that there is only so much that legislation can do to improve pedestrian safety.

“At some point,” he says, “you do have to simply rely on the good judgment of folks as they go through their daily lives.”

Preventing distracted pedestrian accidents

In order to reduce the likelihood of a pedestrian car accident, take Mr. Simitian’s words to heart. Avoid the use of hand-held devices while cycling and be extra vigilant when wearing headphones. When possible, walk, bike, or jog on sidewalks or other areas designated for pedestrian use to reduce accident risk.

As responsible San Diegans, we hopefully do our part to be aware of traffic, whether pedestrian or driver. But unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you have been injured in an accident due to distracted driving, cycling or pedestrian activity, call an accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Michael Pines.

As experienced personal injury attorneys, we can help you recover for your injuries without any out-of-pocket expenses on your behalf. Call us at 1-800-655-6585 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Another pedestrian car accident devastates the San Diego community as a bicyclist is killed after colliding with a commercial truck in Mission Valley. The bicyclist was hit after attempting to change lanes on Friars Road.

Ben Acree, 60, was headed eastbound near the Rancho Mission Road area when he hit the side of a large commercial truck. Ambulance responded immediately, but Acree died at the scene.

The San Diego truck accident was said to be accidental and not alcohol-related, according to authorities.

Acree was accompanied by another bicyclist when the accident occurred; however, reports indicated the other bicyclist was not injured. The accident occurred near an Interstate 15 off-ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol and Officer Frank Cali of the San Diego Police Department.

As Acree collided with truck, he was flung from his bicycle and run over by the commercial vehicle.

“I’m absolutely horrified. Oh, I’m just heartsick,” said Acree’s neighbor, Yvonne Wylie. “[He was] very concerned about his health and well-being.”

Satellite photos of the San Diego bicycle accident show the bicycle lane runs along Friars Road as the off-ramp merges across it into travel lanes.

The medical examiner’s report did not say if any citations were issued as a result of the accident.

Acree worked in the real estate industry and founded AWS Commercial Real Estate in San Diego. He leaves behind a wife.

Stay safe as a San Diego bicyclist: tips for safe bicycling

It’s never been more important to stay safe as a San Diego bicyclist. Pedestrian and bicycle injuries have been historically on the rise, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Use these tips to stay safe on the road. Remember, if you have a friend or family member who is a bike enthusiast, be sure you share this article with them to keep them safe on the road.

Avoid travel during dawn and dusk. Since visibility can be drastically reduced during dawn and dusk, consider riding your bike at brighter, clearer times of the day such as high noon.

Do a double-take when you need to enter traffic. Even if you think a car can see you, check twice and make eye contact with drivers if you ever intend to maneuver a lane change. Always use a crosswalk when you need to cross the street.

Use protective gear. Always equip yourself with protective gear to include helmets, wrist pads, knee pads, and other safety equipment. Always use bicycle reflectors and consider using a bicycle light if you ride in traffic. And, use reflective gear for the most responsive safety gear.

Plan ahead. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with your route, especially if you plan on taking a new one. Take your time and don’t bicycle evasively. Instead, use prudence at first, especially if you are taking a new route. You never know what new traffic signs or lights may present themselves.

Buy the right bike for you. Bicycles are not one size fits all, so be sure you’re in the right equipment suited for your body and physique. A bike that’s too large will be hard to maneuver, whereas a smaller bike will respond slower, causing potential accidents on the road. Consider getting fitted properly at a bicycle shop that will make the right recommendations for you.

Injured bicyclists in San Diego

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, San Diego lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael Pines can evaluate your case free of charge—no out-of-pocket expenses are required on your behalf whatsoever. Our accident attorneys will help you sort the legal complexities of your bicycle accident case—free and confidentially.

For injured sufferers, you can reclaim the cost of lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills—but don’t talk to the insurance agencies until you talk to us. Did you know you only get once chance for justice, and only one settlement, no matter how your health may change over time?

Let an experienced car accident attorney, specialized in dealing with insurance agencies, guide your case to justice. Insurance agencies may not necessarily be interested in your long-term well-being, but we present all the facts of your case to ensure justice is served. Call us today at 1-800-655-6585 or contact us online for more information on how we can help your case.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.