How Maryland Drivers Can Protect Cyclists

Biking is a popular pastime, but it can be dangerous. From 2016 to 2020, roughly 650 Marylanders were injured in crashes involving bicyclists. Over 80 percent of these accidents resulted in injuries. 

Sadly, when cars and bicycles collide, drivers are often at fault. However, there are things drivers can do to safely share the road with cyclists. This article provides information and tips to help drivers keep bicyclists safe. It also explains how a Laurel personal injury lawyer can help after a car-bicycle crash. 

Common Driver Mistakes That Cause Bicycle Accidents

Drivers are often the cause of accidents between cycles and motor vehicles. Here are some of the things drivers do that can lead to bike accidents: 

• Failing to yield at intersections. Bikes have the same right to be at an intersection as cars. However, when drivers don’t yield the right-of-way to cyclists, they can risk causing an accident. This can happen when cars fail to stop as directed or make an improper right turn (a right-hook accident) or left turn (a left-cross accident). 
• Passing too closely. Driving too close to a bike can cause major problems for several reasons. 
• When cars pass other vehicles, they create bursts of wind. If a car passes too close to a bicycle, these winds can throw the bike or the cyclist off balance. 
• To avoid a car, a cyclist might swerve into a parked car, curb, pothole, hydrant, or other dangerous object. 
• Bike lanes usually have limited room. If a car gets too close, the cyclist doesn’t have much room to get out of the way. 
• A closely passing car can scare a cyclist. The fright can cause them to react in ways that can lead to a crash. 
• Blocking the bike lane. Of course, blocking the bike lane can prevent cyclists from traveling in the area that is safest for them. 
• “Dooring.” A car door that is opened into a bike lane can block the cyclist’s path. Without proper reaction time, the cyclist can crash into the door.
• Failure to signal.  While this is also an issue in car-on-car accidents, failure to signal is especially dangerous for cyclists, as they often need more time to react to hazards than cars. 

Maryland Bicycle Safety Laws Every Driver Should Know

Maryland has several laws designed to protect cyclists. Generally, drivers are expected to use all reasonable care to avoid accidents with cyclists. Here are some additional laws from the “Rules of the Road” section of the Maryland Code.   

• Crosswalks. Maryland law requires that drivers yield the right-of-way to bicycles in the crosswalk. Drivers are expected to look in both directions to see if cyclists or pedestrians are entering the crossing zone. 
• Passing. In Maryland, drivers must leave at least three feet between their vehicle and the bicycle. Additionally, the driver should be able to see the bicycle in their rear view before returning to the original lane. 
• Yielding. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to any bike in a bike lane. Additionally, a cyclist has the right-of-way when a car is attempting to make a turn at an intersection. 
• Dooring. In Maryland, it is unlawful to open a car door with the intent to injure a bicycle rider. 
• Throwing. It is illegal to throw any object at (or in the direction of) a cyclist. 
• Respect bike lanes. Drivers cannot block bike lanes by parking or stopping in them. Additionally, drivers are prohibited from driving in bike lanes or weaving into them in an attempt to pass other vehicles. 

Legal Issues in Maryland Bike Accidents

Your failure to follow Maryland’s safety laws for cyclists could lead to an accident. If your actions caused the accident, you may be found negligent. Negligence is a special kind of carelessness. A person’s failure to follow the law can be used as proof of their negligence. So, proof that you were not complying with Maryland law at the time of the accident could be used against you. If you are found negligent, you may be required to pay damages to cover the cyclist’s injuries. 

However, cyclists can also cause accidents. Examples of negligent behavior by cyclists can include: 

• Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs 
• Weaving between cars
• Failing to signal turns
• Riding too close to parked cars 
• Riding at night without lights or reflective gear
• Riding on the sidewalk 
• Stopping abruptly 
• Ignoring traffic laws

If you believe the cyclist involved in your accident engaged in these or other potentially negligent behaviors, please inform your Laurel injury attorney as soon as possible. It will help them make solid arguments about fault. 

Get Legal Help After a Maryland Cycling Accident 

Car-Cycle accidents can be challenging. If you have questions, contact the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles. Our Laurel injury attorneys will be completely devoted to answering your questions, keeping you informed, and getting the best possible result. Use our online contact form or call 301-705-5006 to schedule a free consultation.