According to state law, bicycles are vehicles. Those on bicycles have the same basic rights as any other vehicle operator to share public roads. The rules that apply to bicycles are slightly different.
Cyclists may need to add aftermarket improvements to their bicycles to meet the requirements for rear reflectors and front-facing lights. They may also need to either install aftermarket turn signals or learn how to use hand gestures to indicate when they intend to turn or stop in traffic.
Unfortunately, even cyclists who use the best safety gear and who are very fastidious in traffic could still end up hurt because of how drivers behave. What do cyclists generally need to know about their risk?
Crashes are a constant concern
Some drivers truly resent sharing the road with cyclists. They may become aggressive towards cyclists and may try to intimidate them by swerving at them in traffic or refusing to yield to them as they should at intersections.
Other drivers may fail to notice cyclists in traffic. Especially when drivers don’t actively watch for bicycles, they might fail to notice a cyclist who is perfectly visible to others in traffic. Whether a driver causes a crash with a cyclist because they don’t know the rules of the road, behave aggressively or fail to notice them, the cyclist is at significant risk of injury. As a result, many cyclists employ defensive cycling techniques to reduce their collision risk. They yield when they do not necessarily need to and generally treat others in traffic as a threat to their safety.
How can cyclists cover collision costs?
In a car-bicycle collision caused by a motor vehicle, the cyclist theoretically has the right to request financial compensation. They may begin with a basic insurance claim. Drivers generally need to carry $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage.
Unfortunately, some drivers don’t have insurance. Cyclists are also at increased risk of catastrophic injuries because their bicycles don’t protect them from the force of a crash. If there isn’t insurance or if injuries are quite extensive, cyclists may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. They can theoretically hold drivers directly responsible for their current and future medical expenses and their lost wages.
In some cases, there might even be third parties with a degree of liability after a car crash involving a bicycle. Design issues with a bicycle or motor vehicle might increase the likelihood of a collision. Manufacturers could be partially liable. A driver might be on the job, which could mean that their employer has a degree of liability for the crash.
Obviously, avoiding a bicycle collision is the best case scenario. But, if a collision does occur, cyclists should be ready to hold others accountable for endangering them on public roads.