If you’ve ever seen or been part of an accident between a bicycle and a car, you know how confusing—and scary—it can be. Many people automatically think the driver is always at fault just because they’re in the bigger vehicle. But that’s not always how it works.
When a bike hits your car, figuring out who’s really responsible depends on a few things: what the traffic laws say, how both people were behaving, and what exactly happened right before the crash.
That’s why you need to understand how the law determines fault and what steps to take next. Understanding these things can make it a lot easier to deal with insurance, legal questions, or even medical issues that come up afterward.
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How Cyclists Can Be At Fault in Bicycle-Car Accidents
Cyclists must follow the same traffic rules as drivers, such as stopping at stop signs, yielding when required, and riding in the right direction.
Let’s say you’re driving through downtown Las Vegas and have a green light. Out of nowhere, a cyclist runs a red light and crashes into your car. In that case, the cyclist didn’t follow the rules, so they’d likely be at fault, not you.
That said, drivers aren’t always off the hook either. If you were speeding, distracted by your phone, or not paying attention, you might still be partly to blame—even if the cyclist also made a mistake. Ultimately, figuring out who’s at fault means looking at what both people were doing before the crash.
How Fault is Decided
When a bicycle and a car collide, figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always simple. Police, insurance companies, or lawyers will look at the whole picture, like witness statements, video footage, and traffic reports, to see who made the mistake. The goal is to determine if someone broke the rules, acted carelessly, or didn’t take proper precautions.
Let’s say you parked on the street and opened your car door without checking. A cyclist crashes into it. Even though your car wasn’t moving, you could still be at fault for dooring the cyclist without looking first. This shows how even small actions can make a big difference in determining blame.
In some states, both people can share the fault. This is called comparative negligence. Nevada has a modified comparative negligence policy, which means that you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. For example, if the cyclist ran a red light but you were speeding slightly, you could be deemed 30% at fault but still recover some damages.
A good car accident injury attorney can help you understand how your fault is determined and what that means for you.
Factors Influencing Fault
Several factors can shift the blame one way or the other in a bicycle-car accident.
First, traffic laws matter. If either the driver or cyclist ignores signs or signals—like running a stop sign or riding the wrong way—it almost always affects fault.
Visibility is another significant factor. If the cyclist was easy to see and you still didn’t notice them, you may be more at fault. But if they were riding at night with no lights or reflective gear, they may be held responsible for not being visible.
Road conditions and weather can further complicate things. Rain, fog, or ice make everyone’s commute harder. If you were driving too fast for the conditions—or if the cyclist wasn’t being careful in bad weather—that could also affect fault.
Practical Steps to Take After an Accident
Doing the right thing immediately after a bicycle-car collision can significantly affect your subsequent legal or insurance claims. If a cyclist hits your car, take the following crucial steps right away:
- Ensure Safety and Get Medical Attention—First, check on the cyclist and yourself for any injuries. Even seemingly minor injuries can develop complications later, so never assume everyone is fine without professional medical evaluation.
- Contact Authorities—Always call the police to report the accident. A formal police report will detail what happened and serve as crucial documentation for future legal claims.
- Document the Scene—Take photos or videos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from eyewitnesses who observed the incident.
Taking these actions immediately protects your rights and strengthens your position when dealing with insurance companies or potential legal claims later on.
How Insurance Companies Handle Bicycle-Car Collisions
Dealing with insurance after a crash between a car and a bicycle can be confusing, but knowing how it works can make things easier. If a cyclist hits your vehicle and you’re not at fault, their insurance, if they have any, might help pay for the damage. Sometimes, cyclists are covered under their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but not always. If they don’t have coverage, getting money for repairs can be harder.
If the cyclist is at fault but doesn’t have insurance, your car insurance might cover the damage, especially if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. But if you were partly to blame, your insurance could cover some or all of the costs. That might include car repairs or even medical bills. Just keep in mind that this could raise your premium.
And, of course, if you hit a cyclist and are at fault, your insurance should cover the cyclist’s property damage, medical bills, missed work days, etc.
It’s a good idea to talk to your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. And if things get complicated, working with an experienced attorney can help determine your next steps.
Why Legal Representation is Important
A good attorney can collect the right evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and advocate for you.
Imagine you’re involved in an accident in a busy city like Las Vegas. There might be special rules about bike lanes, crosswalks, or how traffic flows depending on your location. A Las Vegas auto accident injury attorney understands those rules and knows how to use them to build a strong case for you.
Also, insurance companies often try to settle quickly for less money than you may deserve. An experienced accident injury attorney near you can ensure you don’t accept a low offer. They’ll fight to get you full compensation for things like car repairs, medical bills, missed work, and even stress or emotional distress caused by the crash.
Conclusion
When bikes and cars collide, it’s never good, but taking the right steps afterward can help keep everyone as safe as possible and lay a good foundation for any legal claims that follow. Between figuring out who did what before the crash and trying to put a price tag on resulting property damages and injuries, the legal process can be complicated. However, a good attorney can do the heavy lifting for you. They can ensure that you are treated fairly and get the compensation that you deserve.