Whether you ride your bicycle for exercise or on your daily commute to work or school, the fact remains that you face risks every time you get on the road. While California bike law clearly states that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles, there is no question that many drivers do not believe that. Motorists routinely put bicyclists in hazardous situations by failing to pay attention to the road.
Bicycle accidents on public roads can result from a variety of different factors, many of which are driver-related. Some of the most common causes include unsafe lane changes, turning without looking for cyclists, driving too close to bike lanes and shoulders, and using cell phones behind the wheel.
The goal of the law is to create additional space between vehicles and bicycles reducing the risk of near misses or crashes. When roads don’t have bike lanes or shoulders, bicyclists only have the option of staying as far right as possible with the expectation that vehicles will maintain a safe distance. In California, riders under age 18 are required to wear a bicycle helmet.
Bicycle accidents have the potential to result in severe trauma even death. Bicycle crashes could result in:
Bicyclists are at risk of suffering serious injuries any time they ride. If the motorist is at fault for the bicycle collision, the cyclist could receive coverage from the driver’s auto insurance policy. A bicyclist may also be able to receive coverage for medical expenses through his or her personal health insurance policy. Currently, there is no requirement for bicyclists to carry insurance policies.
Distracted driving
Driving while distracted leads to all types of auto accidents. Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable. Common types of driver distraction include talking on the phone, texting, browsing the Internet, using social media, eating, drinking, etc.Failing to leave an adequate buffer
Motorists who don’t respect the 3-foot law and pass bicyclists too close can cause a major injury collision. California law requires drivers to leave at least 3 feet distance while passing cyclists and in addition, change lanes, if it is safe to do so.
Speeding
Violating the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe speed limits the amount of time motorists have to make decisions on the roadway. Even low-speed collisions can leave bicyclists with severe injuries. When drivers are operating at a high speed, the consequences for bicyclists can be devastating.Weaving and unsafe lane changes
Drivers who are weaving in and out of traffic or making unsafe lane changes are likely to cause dangerous conditions for bicyclists. Drivers who engage in such reckless behaviors are also more likely to lose control of the vehicle or drift outside their lanes of traffic into bike lanes and shoulders.Running a red light or stop sign
Motorists who run red lights or stop signs put everyone at risk, especially bicyclists who have the right of way. Such collisions between vehicles and bicyclists could result in grave injuries.Failure to yield
Failure to yield the right of way is another form of careless or reckless driving, which could result in major injuries for bicyclists. There are a number of locations where drivers have an obligation to yield to oncoming traffic including bicycles.Drunk or impaired driving
When motorists operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the risk is high for bicyclists. This is because alcohol and drugs significantly impair drivers’ abilities and judgment.Driver Fatigue
A number of studies have shown that driving while fatigued or sleepy could have repercussions similar to driving while impaired. It is important for motorists to get sufficient rest when they get on the road and to not get behind the wheel when they are sleepy or exhausted.Request Your Free Consultation
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