I've been starting to ride on the road again and must say I am overly cautious about being hit. The last couple years I've been staying on the trails but bought a road bike at a yard sale. I have been in four accidents over the last 10 years three have been the vehicles fault 1 of my own.
The worst was coming out from behind a tractor and trailer at about 25mph and hitting a disabled car sitting in the left hand lane. The car was a late 80's mustang hatchback with a big window. That window broke my fall as I was thrown through it. The bike frame broke off just behind the head tube as the bike hit the rear bumper( Trek 930 Mtn). I was wearing a helmet but I actually hit the window with the right side of my face first so most of the stitches were in my mouth. And yes I had to pay for that window $700.00.

The other three times people have pulled out in front of me from side streets. I've left my markon the broad side of a school bus, a hond civic , and a Buick. No major injuries thou. All of these happened on commutes to work during the busiest times of the day.

Its convient to climb on the bike at my house and start to ride but due to traffic I suppose I should drive to a less populated area or ride roads with less traffic.

Just wondering if others avoid high traffic areas or just deal with it?

Three hits from side streets in ten years is excessive, but it could just be a streak of incredibly bad luck. Do you wear bright-coloured clothing? Do you get out into traffic or cower near the curb, where you are less likely to be seen?

Because of the way San Diego County is laid out, I am frequently unable to avoid streets with high speeds and/or heavy traffic. One of the best aspects of bicycling in Los Angeles was the well- interconnected grid of 25-to-30 mph residential streets.

You should read Effective Cycling by John Forrester, or do the course. Its pretty much the common sense that you accumulate after a couple of years of riding, but worth reviewing.

Im always paranoid at side roads and ride very wide to control the traffic. THERY are out to get you.

I have always followed a policy of defensive driving and now defensive riding. I always assume that those around me will do something unexpected even when traffic control signals and such are in my favor. I find I hit the brakes more often than some, yet I have so far avoided all but a few close calls. No injuries yet.