Who’s Liable for Bike-and-Car Collisions?
In most cases, motor vehicle drivers are held liable for accidents involving a bike-and-car collision because of the limited protection given to cyclists on the road. However, when cyclists ignore the rules of the road and ride negligently, blame can be shifted, and they’ll be the party considered at fault. The following are some of the behaviors that can hold cyclists responsible for collisions with cars:
- Rolling through and not stopping for stop signs
- Ignoring the designated bike lane
- Riding in the opposite direction of traffic
- Riding on the wrong side of the street
- Turning sharply without a signal
- Not yielding to traffic
Safe cycling means taking the necessary precautions to avoid accidents entirely. Cyclists must understand that when they violate and ignore right-of-way rules of the road, they can be held responsible for an accident. Although the courts tend to favor cyclists over motorists in cases involving a crash, they won’t overlook reckless cycling behavior. If a cyclist is held liable for an accident, he or she is responsible for the other party’s medical treatment and property damage. It also becomes much more difficult for a cyclist to recover compensation for their own medical expenses, injuries, or lost wages if held liable for causing an accident.