Bias Against Bikes
If you ride your bike on a regular basis, you already know there is a bias against bike riders. And while it’s true that some bike riders don’t share the road well with cars, the vast majority of bike riders are responsible, careful riders.
Frankly, bike riders have to be careful. Regardless of who is right or wrong in any given accident, bike riders have a bigger incentive to be safe riders — their life. In the game of car v. bike, the car is always going to weigh much more than what the bike weighs.
Despite the inherent logic, many drivers and police officers tend to blame bicyclists for accidents. The police are known to go as far as to ignore witness statements that would defame the automobile driver.
If you are on your bike and you are in an accident, call a lawyer! Even when (you think) you are to blame for the accident, sit down and talk to a professional. Many bicyclists feel ashamed and embarrassed when they break the rules of the road and there is an accident.
The laws that govern traffic are complicated, and they change from state to state. Bike riders are responsible for sharing the road, but they are not considered to be moving vehicles. Bike riders are pedestrians and typically fall under pedestrian right-of-way laws.
Pedestrian right-of-way laws are not simple and cannot be summarized in one sentence. However, automobile drivers always have the burden of being conscientious and considerate of anyone walking or riding a bike.
Calling a lawyer is not about trying to take advantage of an accident to get a new bike or get a break from work for a few weeks. A good lawyer will ensure the bias against you as a bike rider does not become additional pain and suffering.
The automobile driver has the benefit of an insurance company on its side. That means lawyers, adjusters, and insurance agents working hard to keep you from suing their client. You deserve at least one lawyer on your side.
