Medford Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bikers can crash because of potholes and other road hazards, when a dog runs out in front of the bike, or when a rider collides with a fixed object. The most common way bicycle accidents happen is when a bike is hit by a car. Bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles are caused by:

• Distracted driving: This is a leading cause of traffic crashes. A driver who is texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted may fail to notice a bicycle in the roadway.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver’s vision, reaction time, and ability to judge distances and make other critical decisions.
• Following or passing too closely: Tailgating or passing less than three feet away from a bicycle creates a dangerous situation that makes it difficult to avoid a collision.
• Unsafe lane changes: A driver who merges into a bicyclist’s lane without checking first to ensure the lane is clear can crash into the bike.
• Running stop signs or red lights: Disregarding traffic signals and stop signs can cause drivers to hit cyclists who have the right of way.
• Speeding: The faster a vehicle is driving, the less reaction time the driver has to avoid a crash with a bicycle.
• Turning without checking: Drivers have an obligation to check for pedestrians and bicyclists before turning at intersections. When they fail to do so, it can cause deadly accidents.
• Failure to yield to bicyclists: Failure to yield is dangerous driving behavior under any circumstances. When a driver fails to yield to a bicyclist, the consequences can be catastrophic.