MYRTLE BEACH BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

When a driver approaches an intersection at a red light, they must stop. If they’re attempting to turn right, they should come to a complete stop and look for oncoming motorists and bicyclists before taking the turn. The driver can end up crashing into a biker already crossing the road if they fail to yield the right of way.

Sometimes there isn’t a designated bike lane, causing bikers to share the road with cars and trucks. Following a rider too closely prevents the driver from stopping in time to avoid a crash if the rider must brake suddenly. Accidents involving tailgating often cause the bicyclist to become ejected and land on the hard pavement or be run over by a vehicle.

Motorists driving past bikers must use extreme caution and keep space between their car and the bicycle. Some cities require three feet of space between cars and bicycles. The side-view mirror can clip a bicyclist, or the entire vehicle can sideswipe them if the driver passes too closely.

Before exiting a parked car, the driver and passengers should look for bicyclists traveling in their direction. If they don’t, they could open their doors into the path of an approaching biker. The obstacle can cause the rider to crash directly into the door or swerve to miss it and end up colliding with a vehicle driving by.

When people think of distracted driving, they typically picture a driver using their cell phone. However, distractions come in various forms. Distracted driving happens when a driver does anything that takes their eyes, hands, or focus off the task of driving.

Preparing to turn left requires a driver to slow down or stop to allow oncoming traffic to pass. Anyone traveling straight has the right of way over someone turning left. A driver miscalculating the amount of time they have to turn or punching the gas to beat an approaching bicyclist could end up in the biker’s path.

Bicycles are significantly smaller than motor vehicles. Drivers should always check their blind spots before changing lanes, especially if there isn’t a designated bike path. If there’s a biker traveling alongside a vehicle, the motorist could sideswipe them if they don’t look in their blind spots before maneuvering.

Drivers should use caution while backing out of a driveway, entering the road from a side street, or turning into a parking lot. Motorists often end up on collision courses with crossing bicyclists if they assume they have the right of way.