Injured by a Car While Cycling? What You Need to Know

Cycling is fun, great exercise, and good for the environment, but it can also be quite dangerous. Accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles are sadly very common. In fact, just a few days ago, there was a tragic fatal accident involving a bicyclist in Towson and one of the drivers that hit him fled the scene. In the last five years, over 3,800 crashes between bikes and cars have been reported in Maryland, with over 3,000 of these crashes resulting in injuries and 30 fatalities. In a contest between a two ton motor vehicle and a cyclist protected only by a helmet, it's not surprising that these crashes overwhelmingly result in injury to the cyclist.

If you've been injured by a car while riding your bike, you need to know that you have the same rights as a driver of a motor vehicle, in terms of your use of the road and compensation for your injuries. Bicycles are treated as motor vehicles under Maryland law, giving cyclists the right to use the road, but also holding them to the same obligations to follow traffic signals. While cyclists are required to ride as close as practical to the right side of the road, motor vehicles must provide at least three feet of space when passing. If you're struck while safely riding your bike on the side of the road, the motorist most likely violated the three foot rule and you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including your medical expenses, time lost from work, and your pain and suffering.

IF you've been injured in a cycling accident, call the experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.