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Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Driver Negligence

Vehicles on the road are a danger to cyclists. Drivers of cars and trucks are protected by a tremendous amount of metal, safety devices, and other material designed to absorb impact and minimize injuries to vehicle occupants. Bicyclists on the other hand have no protection and an accident with a car or truck can be catastrophic. Vehicle drivers aren’t used to seeing cyclists and they often fail to recognize the danger they present to riders.

Unsafe driving that causes a bike accident may constitute negligence and make the vehicle driver liable for injuries and property damage. You may also have to file an insurance claim, which firms like Sadaka Law are well-equipped assist you with. Examples of negligence that can result in a bicycle accident include:

Distracted driving

  • Running stop signs or stop lights
  • Failing to give bicyclists adequate room
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Following too closely
  • Speeding
  • Not yielding the right of way
  • Defective Bicycle Design or Manufacture

Manufacturer liability in a bike accident can be difficult to prove since mechanical failure and negligence need to be established. This means there needs to be proof that the bike or bike part was defective. Saving the bike after an accident is crucial to proving the accident was caused by a defectively made bike or part.

Negligent Road Design or Maintenance

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to bike accidents caused by road defects, as they are much lighter than cars and trucks and have only two points of contact with the ground. When a road is defectively designed, poorly made, or poorly maintained, injury victims may be able to recover under those theories of liability. Some common road defects that cause serious bicycle accidents include the following:
  • Potholes
  • Cracked pavement
  • Shoulder drop-offs
  • Inadequate signage
  • Misplaced road signs
  • Overgrown vegetation
  • Missing or faded bicycle lane markings

Contact a St. Louis Bicycle Accident Attorney Today to For a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it’s important to contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. Crucial evidence needs to be preserved to help maximize the value of your injury claim. For a free case evaluation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 or contact us online.

1 https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence

2 https://www.distraction.gov/

Related Articles:

  • Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
  • May Is a Good Time to Review Bicycle Safety with Your Children

About the Author
John J. Page
Posted - 12/15/2017 | Missouri