As a bicyclist, you have the same rights to the roads as motor vehicles. But riding in areas that don’t have bike lanes can be intimidating, especially considering the serious nature of bicycle accidents. These accidents result in severe injuries or deaths far too often.

In Sun City West, for example, a 77-year-old man was riding his bike when he was hit by an SUV, resulting in his death. In this case, however, it seems that neither driver impairment nor speed was at fault. This one could be chalked up to a simple accident.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety provides a number of key safety tips and regulations for bicyclists. The agency recommends bikers take the following steps:

• Wear fluorescent or brightly colored clothing, even during the day.
• Carry your items in a basket or backpack to keep the weight centralized.
• Obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings.
• Double-check all directions before entering an intersection, as it’s one of the most common areas for an accident to occur.

Although you as a bicyclist have the same rights as motorists, you also have the same responsibilities. You must obey all traffic laws and are not allowed to ride your bike while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You should also use hand signals to indicate turns to help other drivers predict your next move.

Get help in an emergency

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident and believe that another driver or party was responsible for the crash, be sure to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer right away. You may be able to pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.