< Back to All Insights

Louisiana is 2nd deadliest state for bicyclists

Tony Tramontana

Bicycle Safety Statistics in the United States - Louisiana Ranks 49th in Safety

In 2012, federal statistics show that there were 722 bicyclist deaths in the United States- an increase of 6 percent from 2011 and 16 percent from 2010. The state of Florida takes the top spot as the most dangerous place for cyclists, recording an annual per capita average of cyclist deaths as 5.7 per million residents. This exceeds the national rate of bicyclist fatalities, which was 2.3 deaths per 1 million.

Louisiana is the 2nd Deadliest State for Bicyclists

Louisiana claims the number 2 spot as the deadliest state for bicyclists with an average per capita bicyclist fatality rate of 3.8 per 1 million residents; an average of 17 deaths per year.

While fatalities related to cyclist crashes seem to make the activity very dangerous, let’s put it into perspective. There are no hard numbers on how many people are actually riding bicycles or how far they are riding. That makes it impossible to gather complete data, particularly regarding the percentage of bicycle riders that have fatal accidents. However, even one fatality related to bicycling is one too many.

While the statistics paint a grim picture about bike riding, it is still a fun activity with many health benefits. It is important for both cyclists and drivers to take necessary precautions when they are on the road. Drivers need to be vigilant and avoid distractions such as cell phones and texting while driving.

Safety Recommendations for Louisiana Bicyclists

Cyclists can take certain precautions to minimize their risk of accident. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers some recommendations.

Wear a helmet

Wearing a bicycle helmet while you ride will reduce your risk of brain and head injuries if you are in a crash. No matter your age, you can benefit from wearing a helmet. According to Louisiana bicycle laws, anyone under the age of 12 is required to wear a helmet. These laws have been proven effective in reducing bicycle-related injuries and deaths to children.

Be Visible

The more visible a bicycle rider is, the less likely he or she is to be hit. The use of active lighting and clothing that makes the rider highly visible has been shown to be effective in reducing bicycle-related injuries and fatalities. Some ways that a cyclist can be more visible include:

  • Wearing clothing that is fluorescent during the day will make the cyclist more visible at greater distances so motorists can see them from further away.
  • At night, cyclists should wear retro-reflective clothing in order to be more visible.
  • Active lighting is very effective at night but can also help visibility during the day. Using white lights on the front of the bike, red lights on the rear, or other types of lighting on the bike or the cyclist will make them more visible to motorists.

Use Bike Lanes

Many areas are installing bike lanes on their roadways. This gives cyclists a safe place to ride. There are several organizations that work to encourage areas to install bike lanes. You can get involved by searching for an organization in your area.

Bicycle-Related Injuries

Bicycle accident injuries can be very severe, even debilitating. The rider is essentially unprotected and no match for a car or truck. A bicycle accident can cause long-term injury or even permanent disability. Often people who have been injured in a bicycle accident in Louisiana have trouble finding legal representation that is knowledgeable in the state’s bicycle laws. These cases can be quite complex and you need an attorney who has experience in bicycle law and specializes in handling cases that involved catastrophic personal injury, especially those sustained in a bicycle accident.

If you have been in a bicycle accident, call our office and schedule a consultation so we can discuss your case. Our caring, committed, and knowledgeable staff will be there every step of the way for you to help you get the justice that you deserve.

Contact Us


<   Back to All Articles

Related Posts

Driving Laws for Elderly Drivers in Louisiana

In the United States in 2014, an estimated 221,000 people, age 65 and older, were injured in motor vehicle accidents and 5,709 were killed. These elderly people comprised 17% of the total traffic-related fatalities that year and 9% of traffic-related injuries. A year later, 4,366 people, age 70 and older, were killed in motor vehicle accidents, which is a […]

Read More
Louisiana's Poor Road Conditions Might Be Causing Car Crashes

Drivers all over the state of Louisiana are facing high costs when it comes to operating their vehicles, and poor road conditions might be the most harrowing. A recent article in The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report stated how bad the road conditions actually are in Baton Rouge, and there’s evidence of major road troubles […]

Read More
Civilians May Be Investigating Louisiana Auto Accidents Soon

If you find yourself in a future fender bender in New Orleans, don’t be surprised if a civilian is the one investigating it. The city recently green-lighted a plan for common folk and possibly retired police officers, under the management of a New-Orleans based “civil traffic accident investigation and support” firm, to be given contracts […]

Read More
Child Passenger Safety & Restraint Use: a State-by-State Analysis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for a child passenger in the United States. Child safety seats are required in every state because they’re proven to maximize safety for a child passenger in the event of a car accident. Using a car […]

Read More
Louisiana Accident Laws and How They Differ from Other States

If you were injured in an auto accident in Louisiana, your personal injury case is subject to a different set of rules than had you been in another state. Louisiana is a direct action state, which means parties injured in a car accident can name an insurance carrier in a lawsuit. This is not something […]

Read More
A Campaign to Reduce Fatal Accidents in Louisiana

From 2014 to 2016, more than 90 people were involved in fatal accidents in Tangipahoa Parish. That statistic, according to a campaigner working to reduce the number of avoidable deaths, is too many, and indicates that change is needed in Louisianans’ driving habits. Donna Miller, Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller’s wife, is a local businesswoman […]

Read More
US 90 Through South Louisiana is Named State's Most Dangerous Highway

A recent study has identified US 90 running through South Louisiana as the most dangerous highway in the entire state, also reportedly the 13th most dangerous highway in the country. A recent study has identified US 90 running through South Louisiana as the most dangerous highway in the entire state, also reportedly the 13th most […]

Read More
New Study Says Louisiana is Stressed Out

Louisiana certainly has its share of leisure and entertainment activities, and it is well-known for its live music and street festivals. However, a new study shows that people who live in the state are generally stressed out. WalletHub recently ranked all U.S. states according to a stress survey it created, which compiled results and gave […]

Read More
The 10 Most Dangerous States to Drive In

Even though fatal car crashes in the United States have decreased in number, traffic collisions remain a grave problem. It’s a promising sign that there were approximately 10,000 fewer accidents in 2014 than in 2004, but 32,675 people were still killed in auto accidents. The Most Dangerous States Baed on Fatalities Even though fatal car […]

Read More
Bicycle Laws in Louisiana: What Cyclists Need to Know

Riding a bike, especially on public roadways, is about more than learning to balance on two wheels: it’s something that drivers, as well as cyclists, must take seriously or risk injury or even death. To stay safe on shared roadways in Louisiana, cyclists should become fluent in the state’s bicycle laws to minimize risk to […]

Read More

Questions?

Every case is unique. We want to hear from you about your medical malpractice or personal injury case.
Contact Us
© 2024 All Rights Reserved – J. Antonio Tramontana – Personal Injury Attorney
Privacy Policy
crossmenucross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram