Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyers

As more Maryland residents embrace bicycling for exercise, recreation, and eco-friendly commuting, the frequency of collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles is on the rise. Tragically, cyclists face a higher risk of severe injury or fatality in these accidents compared to motorists.

If you have suffered injuries in a bike crash due to another driver’s negligence or aggressive behavior, you deserve fair compensation. Consult with an experienced Maryland bicycle accident lawyer to learn about your options for pursuing a claim. At Hyatt & Goldbloom, we will meticulously analyze every aspect of your case, leaving no room for chance to maximize your settlement. Contact our office now at (410) 385-3180 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

Maryland Traffic Laws for Motorists Regarding Bicycles

To ensure safe road sharing with bicyclists, it’s important for all motorists in Maryland to be aware of the following traffic laws:

• When overtaking another vehicle, whether it’s a bicycle or another car, the driver must ensure a safe distance and ample space. It’s crucial for the driver to have clear visibility beyond the bicyclist or vehicle before merging back into their original lane. This ensures the safety of everyone involved on the road.
• When passing a bicycle or motor scooter, the driver of a vehicle must maintain a minimum distance of three feet, as long as the bicycle is being operated within the bounds of the law. Riding against traffic is considered illegal for bicycles..
• The bicyclist has the right-of-way when a motor vehicle is making a turn. In these circumstances, motorists must yield to bicycles. 
• Motorists are required to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist lawfully operating on a crosswalk. 
• If a motorist fails to yield to the right-of-way of a bicycle, resulting in an accident that causes serious injuries to cyclists, they may be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and three points on their driving record. It’s important to note that in addition to these potential penalties, they may also be held liable for a personal injury claim. 
• Drivers of motor vehicles are required to exercise due caution to avoid colliding with any person riding a bicycle or motor scooter.

Liability In A Maryland Bicycle Accident

In the majority of bike accidents in Maryland cases where a collision with a motor vehicle occurs, it is typically the driver of the motor vehicle who is considered the potential defendant. However, it is important to note that each bike accident is distinctive in its own way. Depending on the circumstances, there are several parties who could potentially be held responsible for the injuries sustained in a bicycle accident.

• A vehicle driver whose actions caused another vehicle to swerve or crash into the bicycle
• The manufacturer and/or seller of the bike, if it was defective and the defect caused the accident
• The agency or governmental unit that failed to properly maintain the roadway
• A person whose animal was loose on the roadway
• A person who caused debris to be on the roadway
• A pedestrian who caused the bicyclist to lose control

Top Causes Of Bike Accidents In Maryland

• Careless drivers who are not paying attention pose a significant danger to cyclists. Distractions increase the chances of a driver failing to notice a cyclist, leading to sudden swerving and potentially resulting in a collision or close call.

• Opening car doors: Drivers can cause harm to cyclists by carelessly opening car doors without considering the presence of bicycles passing by.
• Failure to yield: Many drivers are unaware that cyclists are required to obey traffic laws, just like motor vehicles. Bicycles must adhere to traffic lights and road signs. However, some drivers treat cyclists as pedestrians and fail to yield when navigating roundabouts or making turns.
• Aggressive driving: Certain frustrated drivers may deliberately drive too close to bikes or even force them off the road. It is also not uncommon for drivers to verbally harass cyclists, leading to distractions that can result in the cyclist veering off the road or colliding with obstacles.

Maryland bicycle accidents can also occur due to the negligence of individuals who are not driving. This can be attributed to various factors, such as:

• Road conditions that pose a hazard. When it comes to bicycles, dangerous road conditions can be particularly risky. This includes inadequately marked road signs and poorly maintained roadways. Depending on the severity, the bicyclist may have grounds to file a claim against the government agency responsible for road maintenance.
• Bicycle defects. In some cases, bike accidents can be attributed to defects in the bicycle itself. If the bike had a flaw in its design or manufacturing process, the injured cyclist may have a valid claim against the bicycle manufacturer.