Are Bicyclists Ever Liable For Traffic Accidents?

Since bicyclists and motorists share the same roads, accidents will occur. When this happens, many assume the motorist is automatically at fault. However, there are times when the bicyclist is also at fault. If you have been involved in such an accident, it is important to understand the legal process and how a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer from Grey Law can help your case.

The Same Laws Apply
Though bicyclists are riding a vehicle that requires their own physical power to operate, the same basic traffic laws apply to them as with motorists. Therefore, bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, yield to pedestrians, and ensure they do not make unsafe lane changes. Should they do so and have their actions result in an accident involving injuries to others, they are open to being held liable for damages. If involved in a situation such as this, contact a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney from Grey Law to discuss your options.

The Issue of Negligence
With these types of accidents, the deciding factor will be which party was negligent leading up to the accident. Thus, whether it is the bicyclist or motorist, both are required to exercise a reasonable standard of care toward others while operating their vehicle. Therefore, if a traffic law is violated and results in an accident, this can result in negligence.

Shared Fault
In many of these accidents, it is determined by police and the courts that both the motorist and bicyclist were to blame for the accident. When this occurs, the issue of shared fault comes into play. This will be crucial, since the concepts of contributory and comparative negligence will determine the outcome of your case. With contributory negligence, if you are found to be only one percent responsible for the accident, you cannot recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. But with comparative negligence, courts will arrive at a percentage of fault for each party and reward damage accordingly. Since this can be vital to determining how much compensation you can obtain, always work closely with Grey Law, a bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles victims trust with these matters.

Rather than put the fate of your case in the hands of an attorney with little experience in these matters, schedule a consultation with Grey Law, a personal injury lawyer Los Angeles residents know will fight hard to help them gain the compensation they deserve.