Last June, a cyclist failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit by a Chicago driver; the woman cyclist was in serious condition when she was taken to the hospital that Wednesday. One source alleges that 45 percent of bicycle accidents happen in intersections, while only 11 percent of travelers ride bicycles on the road. Therefore, driving a vehicle poses a possible scenario of danger for the cyclists and a potential problem for the vehicle owner as well. Here is some important information and tips to consider when sharing the road with cyclists.

Since intersections are usually where cyclists and vehicles are most likely to meet, it is important to consider the legalities of the situation. In many different states, a bicycle is considered a "vehicle," therefore if an accident does occur; a court would look at who had the right of way. There are two possible scenarios for this hypothetical situation. One situation stipulates that there are traffic signs in the intersection, while the other situation does not. In cases where a traffic sign is not present, the vehicle that reaches the intersection first has the right of way. If both the cyclist and vehicle reach a stop sign at the same time, the right of way is given to the person whose vehicle is to the right.

In a separate scenario where a road is positioned with a major and minor street that intersects, the vehicle or cyclist who is traveling along the major street has the right of way. In a scenario where a signal is present, the two "vehicles" simply wait for the indicator to signal them to go. Sometimes, when the signal is down, the cyclist may need to proceed closer to the device since the sensor may not sense their presence. If the bicycle is positioned close to the sensor and the traffic device is still not working, the cyclist should wait until it is safe to cross via the crosswalk.

Though there is a fair system that determines whose fault an accident is and the law is not partial in any way towards one party or the other, if you drive a vehicle there can be other hassles involved should you accidentally run into one. Allegedly, a vehicle's insurance deductable will go up should you get into an accident with one. Also, there might be car damages such as chipped paint, dents, or scratches on your vehicle. Therefore, here are a couple of tips that will keep everyone safe while on the road and avoid unwanted catastrophes.

One source sites that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center alleges that half of bicycle accidents happen when vehicles turn left. Many of us understand that it is important to watch for oncoming traffic as well as pedestrians who are walking nearby, but it might be a little harder to spot a cyclist who drives by at a faster speed; therefore, if you want to avoid this common accident, be cautious while making left turns.

Another tip that might help you avoid an unwanted accident is to stay behind bicyclists when they are the right side of the road. Many times, if an automotive desires to turn right when a bicyclist is present they should wait behind the cyclist before turning right in an intersection. Lastly, when pulling out of a parking lot, it is imperative to not only look out for oncoming vehicles but also to look for cyclists who are coming at a slower pace than an automotive. This is a difficult position for a vehicle to be in, especially in rush hour traffic; no matter how much you want to leave the store, or pull out of work, it is important to make safety your first priority. For more ways to learn how to share the road with cyclists, you may visit the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center website.