Princeton NJ Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Bicycle Accidents
Riding a bicycle is not only a fun recreational activity, but also a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. More and more people are choosing to bike to and from work, school, and other locations because it saves money, is a form of exercise, and doesn't pollute. Many cities are responding to this increase in biking by creating bike lanes and making their roads more bike-friendly overall. This, unfortunately, has not decreased the number of accidents between bicyclists and motorists, however.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 51,000 bicyclists were injured or killed in crashes in 2009. The majority of these were likely caused by motorists who do not know how to share the road with bicyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey bicycle accident as the result of a driver's inattention or other negligent actions, the experienced bike crash attorneys in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein have the skills and resources to obtain the compensation you deserve.
New Jersey Bicycle Laws
In New Jersey, as well as most other states, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle and bicyclists are thus afforded the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists. They have an equal right to be on the road in addition to being required to obey traffic laws. Bicyclists must also follow additional regulations specific to them, however. For example, according to Title 39 of the New Jersey Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations laws, "every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right roadside as practicable exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction."
Bicycle Helmet Law
All bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 17-years-old are required to wear a safety helmet which is properly fitted and fastened and meets federal standards as established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as per Title 39:4-10.1. This helmet requirement is waved if the bicycle is being operated on a roadway closed to motor vehicle traffic.
Bike Crash Causes
Bicycle accidents may be caused by a number of circumstances, which, in turn, would determine liability for the crash. Common causes of NJ bicycle accidents include:
- Inattentive or distracted drivers;
- "Dooring" by drivers in parked cars;
- Defective bicycles or bicycle parts;
- Dangerous roadways; and
- Failure of drivers to yield the right-of-way.
Bicycle Accident Liability
In most cases, liability for a bicycle accident falls on other motorists who do not know how to share the road with bicyclists. A driver who violates traffic laws or is otherwise negligent or reckless puts everyone else on the road in danger and increases the risk of a serious injury accident. Should a negligent driver cause an injury bike crash, they may be held liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses suffered by the victim.
It is also possible for liability to fall onto the city, county, or state in the case of hazardous roadways. If a road has potholes, dangerous blind turns, dangerously narrow lanes, or even debris, the road poses a crash hazard. If the agency or department in charge of maintaining a roadway is negligent in its duties, then that agency may be held liable for the losses a bike accident victim may suffer.
Finally, if the accident was caused by a defective bike, or bike part, then the manufacturer may be held liable for their negligence.
Effective Legal Representation
Being injured in any traffic accident can cause substantial physical, financial, and even emotional hardships, but the consequences of a bike crash are even more significant. The likelihood that a bicyclist may suffer catastrophic injuries is very high, as is the possibility that the injuries result in life-altering disabilities. It is likely that the victim may never be able to ride a bicycle again. This is an unacceptable and inexcusable price to pay for the negligence of another.
At Lependorf & Silverstein, our experienced Princeton bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to obtaining just compensation for bike accident victims and their families. If you have been injured in a New Jersey bike accident, contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options at (609) 240-0040.
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