Although a cyclist might come out worse than a driver in a bike-car accident might, this doesn't mean the driver is automatically liable for the crash. Cyclists, just like other road users, must use the road with regard to other road users' safety. Below are some of the reasons that might make a cyclist liable for a bike-car crash.
Leaving the Bike Lane
For road sections with bike lanes, the law requires cyclists to stick to the bike lane. A cyclist can only leave the bike lane and use the car lane under a few exceptions. For example, a cyclist can leave the bike lane to make a left turn or to avoid a road hazard. If a cyclist leaves their lane (without a valid reason) and collides with a car, then the cyclist might be liable for the accident.
Cycling In The Middle Of the Lane
According to bikeleague.org, a cyclist should stay right as far right as possible on roads without dedicated bike lanes. Riding to the extreme right gives room for other cars to overtake the cyclist with minimal risk. Thus, a cyclist who sticks to the middle of the lane can also be liable if they collide with a car.
Invisibility
Cyclists are relatively smaller than cars, which means many motorists can't spot them easily. Cyclists should improve their visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing and having right and rear bike lamps. The risk of accidents increases without such measures. The risk is even higher if natural conditions have already reduced visibility — for example, at dusk. In such a case, an invisible cyclist might be liable for a bike-car accident.
Riding Against Traffic
Bicycles are small enough to share the road with cars, which means they can ride against traffic. However, just because you can do something doesn't make it less dangerous. Riding against traffic is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal. A cyclist who rides against traffic and ends up in an accident might be liable for the accident.
Rolling Through Stop Signs
Many people argue that cyclists would be able to roll through stop signs without coming to a complete stop. Some states, such as Colorado, Kansas, and Oregon have different variations of laws that allow cyclists to use stop signs as yield signs. Whether or not the arguments have merits, cyclists should only do it if the law allows it. Otherwise, a cyclist who rolls through a stop sign and crashes with a car might be liable for the damages. For more information, talk to an auto accident injury firm like Borbi Clancy Patrizi, LLC.
Share29 April 2020
When a person is involved in an accident that's caused by someone else, they may need to speak with an accident and personal injury attorney. Mounting costs of medical care and time off from work can cause money problems for people who are injured. Those who hire an attorney can often receive monetary compensation from the responsible party. We aren't involved in the legal profession, but we do understand the stress that injuries and medical bills can cause. We've researched legal information and written this blog to help those who are in this situation. We hope the articles on our site will answer the questions you have about accident and personal injury attorneys.