Vehicles in Bike Lanes: Who’s Liable When Obstruction Causes a Crash
In bicycle accidents caused by blocked lanes, the party responsible for blocking the lane is often liable for damages. Therefore, in accidents resulting from vehicles in bike lanes, the driver of the vehicle obstructing the bike lane is typically held liable for the resulting bicycle crash. However, depending on the circumstances of the accident, other parties could share liability for the accident, including the cyclist involved. Understanding how bike lane accident liability works is crucial for cyclists looking to pursue compensation for their injuries.
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If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Chicago, the bicycle accident lawyers at DePaolo Zadeikis & Pino, LLC, are ready to fight for the full recovery of your damages. Call 312-263-7560 to schedule a free consultation.
Who Is Legally Responsible When a Vehicle Blocks a Bike Lane?
The party that acted negligently when a car blocks a bike lane is held legally responsible for the accident. Although drivers are found liable in most accident cases involving vehicles in bike lanes, other parties whose negligence contributed to the accident may also share responsibility.
Drivers are held liable for an injured cyclist’s damages if their actions caused the crash. Common actions that result in driver liability in bicycle lane accidents include:
- Turning across bike lanes without yielding to cyclists
- Parking or stopping in bike lanes in non-emergency situations
- Passing cyclists too closely, leading to sideswipe accidents
- Drifting into a bike lane due to distracted driving
- Opening a car door into a bike lane, resulting in a dooring accident
Besides the driver, several other parties could be liable. If a lack of signage, unclear bike lane markings, poor road maintenance, or vague parking restrictions contributed to the blocked bike lane accident, the responsible government agency could be liable. The bike manufacturer could be liable if malfunctioning equipment contributed to the crash. Other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians could also be held liable if they contributed to the accident.
Under Illinois’ comparative negligence laws, an injured cyclist could be partially at fault for the crash, for example, if he or she failed to observe traffic laws or was engaging in negligent behavior. The final payout will be reduced by the cyclist’s degree of fault. A bike accident lawyer can help you determine the parties that could be held accountable for your accident and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
How Illinois Law Addresses Bike Lane Accidents and Driver Negligence
Illinois has laws that protect cyclists and govern how motorists should behave toward cyclists using bike lanes. Cyclists can hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions when they cause accidents in bike lanes.
Motorists are not allowed to stop, park, or drive on designated bike lanes unless they’re turning or have an emergency. They must yield to cyclists in bike lanes and maintain a safe distance when passing them.
If a driver violates traffic laws or acts recklessly and causes an accident, he or she could be held liable for the resulting damages. Establishing negligence requires proving the following elements: a duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages.
If a road defect contributed to your bike lane accident, you could file a claim against a city or state government agency in Illinois. Such claims are subject to special deadlines and procedures, such as strict notice requirements.
How Vehicle Obstructions in Bike Lanes Lead to Serious Cyclist Injuries
Vehicle obstructions in bike lanes can cause serious injuries because cyclists lack the external protection that vehicles provide to occupants. In 2024, 35 cyclists involved in traffic crashes across Illinois died from their injuries. Designated bike lanes are intended to provide safety to cyclists while navigating through traffic. Vehicle obstructions compromise their safety, making them dangerous roads for cyclists.
When cyclists run into an open door or a car blocking their lane, they commonly suffer head trauma. They may also sustain shoulder and spinal injuries and fractures. When obstructions force cyclists to swerve into traffic and are struck by other moving vehicles, they may sustain facial injuries and fractures. Cyclists often suffer head injuries like concussions when they’re thrown off their bikes during crashes. Falls onto the pavement can cause dental and facial injuries, lacerations, road rash, fractures, neck, back, and spinal injuries. A bike lane accident can also affect a cyclist’s emotional well-being, causing psychological trauma.
DePaolo Zadeikis & Pino, LLC, bicycle accident attorneys have been helping bike injury victims in Chicago get full compensation for their injuries for over 30 years. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accidents Caused by Vehicles in Bike Lanes
Who Is at Fault If a Driver Parks or Stops in a Bike Lane and Causes a Crash?
The driver is usually at fault if he or she stops or parks in a bike lane and causes a crash. In modified comparative negligence states, such as Illinois, injured cyclists can also be found to be partially at fault, which reduces their compensation in proportion to their apportioned fault.
Can a Cyclist File a Claim for Injuries Caused by a Vehicle Blocking a Bike Lane?
A cyclist can file a claim for compensation for the injuries suffered in an accident caused by a vehicle blocking a bike lane.
What Evidence Helps Prove Liability in an Illinois Bike Lane Accident Case?
Key pieces of evidence that help prove liability in an Illinois bike lane accident case include eyewitness accounts, photographs of the scene, dash cam or surveillance footage, police reports, medical records, and expert testimony. A bicycle injury lawyer will know how to collect and organize sufficient evidence to build a strong case and put you in the best position to negotiate with the liable party’s insurers for maximum compensation.
