Bicycle Accident Liabilities
For the most part a bicyclist has as much right to the road as a motor vehicle.
A cyclist may ride in the middle of a traffic lane and given the same right away as all others. However, it is universal that if bikers are not moving as fast as the motor traffic, they must ride on the far right side of the road. This is known as the, "side of the road" rule.
Accordingly, the three top types of road accident in Phoenix personal injury claims are:
- Bicyclists hitting the opening door of a parked car
- Bicyclists being struck by a motor vehicle turning right
- Bicyclists being brushed by a passing car or truck
Since a cyclist is required by law to ride close to parked cars, and a person is not permitted to open a car door unless it is safe to do so, a Phoenix personal injury claim caused by the opening of a parked car door is almost always entirely the fault of the door opener.
As stated above, one of the most common causes of a bike accident is a collision with a car turning right. While making a right turn, a car passes through the path of a cyclist. Some of these accidents happen when a car passes a cyclist then slows down while turning right, moving directly into the path of a bicyclist who has nowhere to turn. Or a motorist simply turns right directly into cyclist without seeing them. In both of these situations the motorist is liable for the accident.
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