Bicycles vs. Cars: Who Was In The Wrong?

Lawsuits that involve car drivers and bicyclists are common in California and across the U.S., and it can sometimes be confusing as to who was at fault in an accident. Road rage is sometimes a factor when it comes to those who are operating a motor vehicle. Being that bicycles are slower than cars, so many drivers see them as aggravating nuisances on the road. Looking at it from a bicyclists’ point of view, being on a street where there is a lot of traffic can be intimidating and/or downright fearful, especially when drivers are short on patience.

    In California, there are certain rules that both drivers and bikers must follow. One common problem is when there is no bicycle lane on a particular street, and a bike rider can literally “feel” the daunting pressure of the much bigger cars and trucks behind and around him or her. According to California law, in this situation, the bicycle actually has the right to take up the entire lane. There are only certain instances like this where a biker isn’t required to use a bike lane, such as when there are unusually risky conditions like rainy weather, or if there is road construction going on in an area that they may have to maneuver around.

    Probably the most important rule bikers must follow is to always ride with traffic. It’s also very important for a bicycle to have the correct equipment because, if a driver can’t see you, say, during dusk or night hours, there’s a bigger chance they may hit you! For example, in California, all bikes must have a bright white headlight that can be seen from the front. And, it’s also a good idea to have a blinking red light behind the seat so drivers can see you from behind. If you don’t have a red light, a red reflector is feasible, but yellow or white reflectors should also be on the wheels and pedals, or on the bike riders’ shoes.

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