Thousands of cyclists are injured each year in automobile accidents. Furthermore, because of the obvious size and weight difference between a bike and car, many of these accidents are fatal. In 2022, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents. The majority of these fatal incidents occurred at intersections.
Whether you’re a cyclist or a driver, you should do your best to stay informed about the rules and regulations pertaining to bicycles on public roadways. Doing so will help you to keep both yourself and those around you safe.
Bicycles are considered legal vehicles in all 50 states. This means cyclists are held to the same standard as everyone else when operating their vehicles; they must obey traffic lights, signs, and crosswalk signals in the same way as other vehicles.
The rules state that cyclists in Philadelphia must also:
Cyclists are allowed to ride two-abreast in cycle lanes. As long as they’re in an official bike lane, cyclists can travel alongside one another without breaking the rules.
Also, cyclists aren’t required to remain in a bike lane just because one is available. Motorists frequently block cycle lanes, so cyclists are free to go around them if necessary.
For more specifics on bicycle laws in the area, visit the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Streets website.
“Dooring” accidents occur when drivers exit their cars without paying attention to passing cyclists. This is a special situation in which the automobile driver bears the sole legal responsibility; it’s up to drivers and their passengers to ensure they can safely open their doors without endangering cyclists.
According to We Love Cycling, specific statistics on dooring are often hard to come by due to vague reporting techniques used by police departments. However, it does cite one report out of Chicago, which estimated that close to one-fifth of collisions involving cyclists over the course of a year were related to dooring.
If you’ve been injured in a dooring accident as a cyclist, you may be entitled to sue the driver of the car involved or the individual who opened the door. To learn more about how the rules are likely to apply in your case, you should schedule a free initial consultation with one of the road accident attorneys at the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia.
As a car user, it’s always important to remember how vulnerable cyclists are compared to you. Even the slightest impact can cause a cyclist to lose control and suffer serious injuries.
Remember:
It’s true that drivers should be especially cautious when there are cyclists on the road. Too often, cyclists are side-swiped or hit due to a distracted or impaired driver.
However, that’s not the case for every bicycle accident. Cyclists have responsibilities on the road, just like drivers. If a cyclist fails to uphold their duties and causes an accident as a result, they may be liable for any consequent damages.
As in every kind of road accident case, decisions around who’s at fault will depend on the available evidence. The key consideration in an accident involving a bicycle often relates to right of way.
Say, for instance, an accident takes place at an intersection with traffic lights. If it’s clear that a cyclist ran through a red light directly before the collision, they are likely to be held liable.
If you’ve been knocked off your bicycle by a negligent driver, you’re entitled to seek compensation. Cars don’t own the road, and drivers shouldn’t be allowed to cause injury with impunity.
Of course, conversely, if you’ve suffered damages because of a reckless cyclist, you may also be entitled to compensation. Cyclists have a responsibility to behave safely on the road, just as drivers do, and they should have to face the consequences of ignoring that responsibility.
When you are the victim of serious injury or illness, you deserve someone on your side who is both intimately familiar with state and federal laws and fully devoted to helping you pursue maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation by filling out our online form or calling 800-969-4400.
