Bicycle Safety and Preventative Measures in Brownsburg

Like most communities, Indiana encourages cyclists to enjoy its roads, trails, and paths, but that does not come without its fair share of risks. The bike accident lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin encourage cyclists to follow both common-sense and state-mandated bicycle safety and preventative measures in Brownsburg and its surrounding areas. Here is what to know about protecting yourself and avoiding accidents.

What Are the Rules for Cyclists in Indiana?

Bicycles are considered street-legal vehicles. As such, cyclists must follow all regular rules of the road, including stopping for traffic lights and riding on the proper side of the road. Indiana has also enacted laws specific to cycling that are enforced in Brownsburg and throughout the State, and are based on standard safety and accident preventative measures, including:

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way over cyclists
• All bicycles need operational and effective brakes
• Cyclists cannot grab onto cars or other moving vehicles
• Riders should use hand signals to inform motorists of their turns
• Only one person is allowed to ride unless the bike is a tandem or designed for multiple riders
• Bicycles should have white front lights and red rear lights that can be seen from 500 feet in front of the bike and 200 feet behind it

Although not required by Indiana law, wearing a bike helmet is easily one of the best safety measures for all cyclists.

Cycling Safety Laws That Apply to Drivers

Indiana requires motorists to stay at least three feet away from cyclists if passing them on open roads. Ideally, drivers will wait for oncoming traffic to clear before passing a cyclist if that traffic prevents the driver from maintaining a three-foot distance. Cyclists who suffer injuries in crashes should make a note of how close the driver was when the accident happened.

Drivers are also obligated to stay well behind a cyclist until passing is safe. On an uphill section of a Brownsburg road, for example, the driver’s best safety measure is to remain comfortably behind a bicycle and pass only after reaching the crest of the hill.

The Importance of Following Cycling Rules

If a negligent motorist causes a crash, the cyclist can file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover damages for injuries and property losses. However, under Indiana’s comparative negligence laws, a cyclist will be barred from collecting compensation if their fault in the accident was greater than the motorist’s fault. A motorist can claim a cyclist caused an accident by ignoring a traffic light or turning without signaling.

Knowing this, Brownsburg defense lawyers who represent negligent motorists will analyze the facts of every bicycle accident to determine if the cyclist was following the state’s safety and preventative measures and if the failure to follow those measures contributed to the crash.

Call Our Brownsburg Team About How Bike Safety Measures Factor Into Accidents

Cyclists face numerous obstacles and risks on the road, including rough pavement, heavy traffic, untethered dogs, and obscured intersections. Cyclists can follow all manner of bicycle safety and preventative measures in Brownsburg and its surrounding communities, yet still suffer injuries in collisions with negligent motorists.

Our attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin are strong advocates for injured cyclists. We analyze the facts of every accident to demonstrate that a negligent driver was primarily at fault and an injured cyclist deserves full compensation for all costs and expenses. Please call our offices for an in-depth consultation if you need to recover damages after a bicycle accident.