No fault bicycle accident scenarios are specific types of road accidents that are not caused by a cyclist’s negligence. Each design is unique, and attorneys can use them to prove liability in bicycle accident cases. If a bicyclist can prove that the accident was caused by one of these six scenarios, they may be entitled to compensation.
Top 6 No Fault Bicycle Scenarios
- The Door Zone Accident
Bicyclists should always avoid being in the door zone on city streets. This refers to the area next to parked cars, where an opening door can easily hit cyclists. You should always ride at least 4 feet away from parked cars to protect yourself from this.
If you are hit in the door zone and do not live up to the 4-foot minimum standard, you may be able to sue the driver of the vehicle. If the driver was aware that you were riding too close at the time of the accident and did not act, they could be held liable for your injuries.
- The Left Turn Scenario
Due to their size, cyclists can quickly get “right hooked” while riding straight in a traffic lane. This can be particularly dangerous when they are moving through an intersection with a high traffic volume because they have very little time to react as traffic comes around a corner.
It would be best to always wait until the last moment before turning left to avoid right hooks. This is called the “three feet rule,” It states that you should stand at least 3 feet away from any car moving straight ahead. It would be best if you also waited until the last moment before turning left at intersections.
If you are hit by a driver turning left, you may have a case against the driver if they did not follow this simple rule.
- The Right Hook Scenario
This is the most common form of a bicycle accident in which a motorist runs into a cyclist. It occurs when the cyclist is crossing a side street or running a red light and is hit from behind by a motorist who is turning right.
This scenario could be avoided if the cyclist were riding to the right of traffic because they would have more time to react if they were hit by a car making a right turn. At the very least, cyclists should stay as far to the right as possible when going straight through intersections. This is especially important at four-way stops because cyclists must be more cautious than other motorists.
- The Rear-End Accident
A bicyclist can also get injured by being hit from behind by a motorist who is simply driving too fast and loses control of their vehicle. In this scenario, the motorist’s speed is what caused the accident.
If the motorist was driving at an unsafe speed, they could be liable for her injuries. However, speeding is challenging to prove in court without actual evidence. If you have a speedometer on your bike, it can help you confirm that the car was going too fast.
- The Wrong Way Accident
A cyclist can also get injured by being hit by a motorist driving the wrong way on a one-way street. In this case, the motorist is at fault, and they may be liable for your injuries.
Even if the motorist was driving on the wrong side of the road by mistake, they might still be found liable for your injuries if there was evidence that they knew that you were riding on that side of the road. If you have a video recording of the accident where you can see their car going off course and endangering you, you have a great case.
- The Jaywalking Scenario
Finally, a cyclist can also be hit by a motorist walking illegally in the bike lane. Pedestrians should not use bike lanes because they do not have the right to do so. Bicyclists should never get into this situation either because they will have to swerve out of the bike lane to avoid hitting someone walking on the sidewalk.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and think that the other vehicle’s driver was at fault, you should find a bicycle accident lawyer near you to learn more about your rights. Your bike accident attorney can help you file a claim for compensation for your injuries, regardless of who is at fault.
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