Traffic Laws for Cyclists in Brownsburg

Indiana cyclists and motorists can easily coexist when they both respect the rules of the road. Those rules may be second-nature to motorists, but cyclists may not be familiar with how traffic rules apply to them. For maximum safety and enjoyment when cycling, riders should understand and follow all traffic laws for cyclists in Brownsburg.

Regrettably, following those laws does not guarantee the prevention of accidents where cyclists are hit by a motorist. If you were injured in an accident, you should contact the bicycle accident attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, & Newlin to recover damages from the negligent parties who caused the accident.

An Overview of Bicycle Traffic Laws

In Brownsburg, the traffic laws for cyclists follow a lot of the same rules and regulations that apply to drivers of other vehicles, but there are some laws specific to bicycles. Like cars and other motorized vehicles, cyclists must follow general rules of traffic, including:

• Riding on the right-hand side of the road
• Yielding to walkers and cars that may have the right of way
• Using hand signals to indicate turns like a blinker indicates in a car
• Refraining from riding a bicycle or eBike (which can achieve higher speeds) while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Stopping at stop signs and traffic lights, and waiting for their turn or the signal lights to change before proceeding through an intersection

Beyond those rules, Indiana has enacted bicycle-specific laws to increase the safety and security of riders on the state roads and paths. These regulations include:

• Bicycles must have a front white light visible from at least 500 feet away, and a rear red reflector visible from 200 feet
• Only one person may ride a bicycle unless the bike is a tandem or equipped to carry more than one person
• Cyclists should ride in a bike lane, when one is available, and stay out of gutters and culverts
• Cyclists may not hitch rides by holding onto vehicles

Indiana laws do not require cyclists to wear helmets, but helmets account for more than a 50% reduction in bike crash head injuries. The attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, & Newlin always recommend helmet usage to protect yourself from the worst injuries an accident can cause.

Traffic Laws and Bike Accident Liability

Brownsburg cyclists who ignore applicable traffic laws risk losing their ability to recover damages from negligent motorists after an accident. Indiana follows a modified comparative negligence standard that reduces the amount of damages that an injured party can recover in proportion to their relative fault for an accident. For example, if a cyclist suffers $100,000 in damages but is deemed to have been 30% at fault for the accident, they can then only recover $70,000. However, if a cyclist is more than 50% at fault for the accident, Indiana law bars the recovery of any damages.

Ignoring traffic laws may be viewed as evidence of fault, and accordingly, you may be barred from collecting compensation. Because of this standard, a lawyer will always investigate your compliance with traffic laws to assess your relative fault in a collision lawsuit.

Call Our Brownsburg Team for Answers to Your Questions About Bicycle Traffic Laws

Our lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, & Newlin have in-depth knowledge of the traffic laws for cyclists in Brownsburg and how those laws can affect the outcome of a bicycle accident lawsuit. Please call our offices for more information and for legal representation after you have been hurt in an accident due to someone else’s negligence.