Many bike lanes have been added to several busy streets and roadways throughout the state. While many drivers are not happy about it, avid cyclists are very pleased. It’s been a common debate/initiative between riders and the city to improve bike routes on major roads to support safer commutes. But did giving cyclists their bike lanes improve their security while riding on the road? Or did it just cause drivers more anxiety trying to safely navigate around them, especially during rush-hour times?

Regardless of the answers to these questions, there is a bigger question on our minds. That question asks about liability in the case that a driver hits a cyclist who is in a designated bike lane, and why. Continue reading to explore this topic, and learn what circumstances might hold both parties accountable for these kinds of accidents and injuries.

Bike Lane Accidents and Injuries

It is important to point out bikers’ rights on the road to get a foundation of understanding when comprehending liability in the case of an accident involving motor vehicles. First, all cyclists have legal rights on the road, so long as they are obeying all traffic signals and road rules. If there are designated bike lanes in which a biker is using responsibly, and a negligent driver hits them, the biker would have legal rights to pursue a lawsuit against the driver for their damages.

In other cases, if a biker was the one who acted negligently by making themselves vulnerable to danger, or failing to obey traffic laws, they could be at-fault for any injuries sustained in a biker/car accident. For example, if a person on a bicycle is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they swerve into the traffic lane outside of the bike lane, causing them to get hit, it would not be the driver’s fault because the driver was obeying the rules of the road and respected the boundaries of the bike lane. Because the biker was intoxicated, it would be found that they were negligent.

On the other hand, if a driver was behaving negligently behind the wheel, whether speeding, texting, eating, or under the influence, and a biker was responsibly navigating their own bike lane, the driver would be held accountable for any injuries sustained to the biker in the case of an accident.

There are several stipulations and exceptions to the rules of a personal injury claim. This is why it important to hire professional legal counsel for accurate information and assessments. They retain the proper resources and experience to litigate your case and recover full and fair compensation for your damages, whether in a settlement or
court case.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis about filing a personal injury claim against a negligent driver. Attorney Daniel Craven, has decades of litigation and trial experience, and will work fervently to recover the compensation you rightfully deserve. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case, and we never charge lawyer fees unless we recover for you in a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 for information about bicycle accident lawsuits in Indianapolis, IN today.