If you live in a college town such as Ann Arbor, Michigan, then there are particular risks you face as a driver there that people in towns without large universities do not have to deal with. In the same way, college students who use bicycles to get around, and who do a lot of walking to get to where they are going, must be particularly careful when it comes to local traffic.
It is important for all to be aware of these risks to avoid the consequences that may result. Serious injuries can result in personal injury lawsuits, and if you are a victim, you should not have to suffer the consequences of a negligent driver without receiving appropriate compensation.
Driving risks regarding cyclists
Drivers are not always particularly vigilant when it comes to looking for pedestrians and cyclists on the road. Michigan legislators are well aware of the particular risks that bicyclists face on the state’s roadways and recently signed into law a requirement that motorists must give cyclists three feet of space when passing. This is one way that you as a driver can increase safety for both yourself and cyclists on the roads.
Since so many college students use bicycles to make their way around the city, driving in Ann Arbor means that you are at a higher risk for motor vehicle accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. Likewise, if you are a cyclist in the city, you must be particularly careful when it comes to interaction with local drivers who may not be paying attention. If you suffer a serious injury in a cycling accident, you will need to seek compensation for your injuries, particularly if those injuries are the result of negligence on the part of the driver who hit you.
Pedestrian accidents and injuries
Another often-overlooked risk that increases in towns with large college populations is that of pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles. Drivers are responsible for exercising caution and care when it comes to pedestrians on local roadways, but as with cyclists, drivers are not always particularly attentive. Even if you are crossing in a marked crosswalk with traffic signals, there is still the risk that a negligent driver may hit you, causing serious injuries. As with injuries resulting from cycling accidents, as a pedestrian, you can seek compensation for your injuries that resulted from driver negligence.