Cycling safety has been making national headlines again after a Coroner ruled a woman caused her own death when the music she was listening to prevented her from hearing an oncoming lorry.
She swerved to avoid the vehicle after entering a roundabout without looking right – she fell and fractured her skull and spinal cord, injuries which killed her instantly. The woman, 38, was also not wearing a helmet.
The driver of the HGV was found to be totally free of blame and the coroner for East Riding of Yorkshire, Paul Marks, recorded a verdict of accidental death.
The tragic incident is a reminder of how vulnerable cyclists are.
DMA Law recommends that cyclists wear helmets at all times, and avoid wearing headphones – advice echoed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and Cycling UK.
Being able to hear a vehicle can alter the way in which we respond – losing a sense can radically reduce response and reaction times.
Our accident specialist lawyers deal with scores of injury claims every year and we frequently help families who have been affected by serious injuries as a result of road traffic collisions.
