How Drivers Can Cause Bicycle Accidents

Crashes involving motorists and cyclists have multiple causes. The weather, road condition, cyclists, and motorists can all trigger these accidents. Knowing an accident's cause can help you claim damages. Below are some of the cases in which a motorist may be liable for your car-bike collision.

Negligent Opening of Doors

Drivers opening their car doors without consideration for cyclists can cause accidents. Such accidents are often common on busy roads with parked cars. If a driver opens their car's door while you are a few feet from it, you might not have the time to stop or cycle around the door.

Bicycles are relatively lighter than cars. Bicycles are also unstable due to their two-wheel nature. Thus, apart from damages and injuries from hitting a car door, the impact can also cause you to lose control of your bike and fall.

Inadequate Clearance

Drivers can also harm cyclists by driving too close to them. For example, some drivers don't leave adequate clearance when overtaking cyclists. If a driver does that to you, then:

• The car's draft force can destabilize your car and cause an accident
• The car's side mirror can hit you or your bike
• The car's body can sideswipe your bike

The damages and injuries can be especially bad if you crash into other motorists.

Failure to Check for Road Users Other Than Motorists 

Many motorists check for other cars before executing different maneuvers but fail to check for other road users. For example:

• A motorist might disregard bicycle lanes
• A motorist might pull out of an alley or parking lot without checking for cyclists or pedestrians
• A motorist might reverse their car without checking for other people or things other than cars

Motorists should be aware that many people other than vehicles also have the right to use the road.

Failure to Yield

Some motorists do not know that cyclists are also road users. In fact, a motorist is supposed to yield to a cyclist in certain conditions. However, a driver might assume that a bicycle is small and can squeeze through an intersection without the driver yielding to the cyclist. The misjudgment can easily result in a car-bicycle crash.

Distractions

Distractions are common causes of auto accidents, including car-bicycle crashes. Common causes of distractions include:

• Using the phone for calling, messaging, or taking photographs
• Eating
• Thinking about other things other than driving
• Playing with a child or pet

Such distractions can cause a motorist not to see you in time. For example, a motorist reversing while talking on the phone can easily crash into a cyclist behind them.

Intoxication

Intoxication is also a common cause of all types of accidents. An intoxicated motorist can crash into your bicycle if:

• Their vision is impaired, and they don't see you in time - especially at night
• Their vision and judgment are impaired, and they misjudge your speed, their speed, or the distance between their car and your bike
• They are drowsy and fell asleep while approaching you
• Their reaction time is slow, and they fail to swerve away from you after noticing they are too close to you

In short, the risk of a motorist crashing into you rises if they are intoxicated.

After an accident, preserve evidence and get medical care as soon as possible. After that, contact Wegner & Associates to evaluate the circumstances of your accident and determine liability. We will help you get the maximum compensation from the liable party. We look forward to helping you after your accident and are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your specific legal case.