Bicycle Accident | Types, Causes & Legal Help (2025)

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Distracted riding and driving are common causes of bicycle accidents. A bicycle rider who’s looking down at their phone can cause a collision just as much as a car driver doing the same. Both of them will struggle to notice changes on the road, and avoiding bicycle and auto accidents will be much more difficult.

Reckless driving is another issue. Often, drivers of motor vehicles are aggressive toward cyclists. They may prevent them from merging or could push them against the curb, leading them to lose control of the bike.

Intoxicated or fatigued drivers and cyclists can cause accidents, too. They can be much more distracted, and their reflexes and coordination could be impaired. Drivers may fall asleep on the road, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Road conditions are a problem, as well. Things that wouldn’t faze a driver, like potholes, can be disastrous for cyclists. The same applies for debris and uneven asphalt.

Bicycles that are defective or malfunction on the road can cause accidents, too. If a chain fails or there’s a tire blowout, it can be very difficult for the cyclist to maintain control.

Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Occur?

Accidents that lead to personal injury claims tend to occur in heavily populated locations. These are usually urban areas with high amounts of traffic.

Often, people assume that fatal bicycle accidents happen most frequently at intersections, but that’s not the case. In 2021, 62% of bicycle accident fatalities happened at non-intersection locations. A large number of the most severe injuries and deaths occurred on federal roads, which tend to have heavier traffic.

It’s also important to note that the majority of bicycle accidents involve shared lanes and sidewalks. The latter is the most common location for accidents that don’t involve motor vehicles.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

A personal injury lawyer who often works on bicycle claims can tell you that falls are the most common type of bicycle accident. They can occur for a number of reasons, including “dooring,” which happens when a driver opens the door of their parked car without checking. When they do this, they can hit a cyclist and cause them to fall.

Bicycle accidents can also occur during lane changes. Because of their size, bicycles can slip into the blind spots of cars and trucks, making any maneuver much more dangerous.

A related type of accident involves drivers not being able to spot cyclists at night because they’re not wearing reflective clothing and meeting other safety requirements.

Another common problem is cars trying to overtake a cyclist and clipping them as they pass them on the left. Even what might appear as a minor sideswipe accident could mean the same serious injuries accidents involving high speeds or trucks can cause for motorists.

As with motor vehicles, rear-end collisions are an issue with bicycles, too. If a car fails to brake in time, it can crash into the cyclist and put them in danger of falling into another lane.

Bicycle Accidents Without Motor Vehicles

Not all bicycle accidents involve motor vehicles. While those are the accidents that tend to result in the most severe injuries, there are many other collisions that can occur without involving motorcycles, trucks or cars.

Because bicycles only have two wheels, they can more easily lose traction. That’s a particular problem if there’s debris on the road or if the asphalt is icy or wet. It’s possible, too, for two bicycles to collide with each other, or for a dog or another animal to dart across the bike’s path, causing the cyclist to lose their balance.

In some instances, the bike itself could be the problem. If it wasn’t constructed correctly or if it has damaged parts, a cyclist can face a greater risk of suffering a crash. The manufacturer could be to blame in these cases, or if you recently had the bike repaired, the mechanic who did so could be liable.

Additionally, a road with potholes or uneven asphalt can impact bicycles much more than a car. These obstacles can cause a cyclist to lose control of the bicycle and topple.

Negligence and Liability

To establish negligence in a bicycle accident, several elements must be demonstrated:

1. Duty of Care: Proving the motorist owed a duty of care to the cyclist.
2. Breach of Duty: Showing the motorist failed to adhere to this duty, often through traffic law violations.
3. Causation: Linking the breach directly to the injuries sustained.
4. Damages: Providing evidence of the injuries and losses incurred.

Proving Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases

Proving negligence may seem simple, but it’s not always a straightforward process. Accomplishing this goal can require all manner of evidence that helps to establish that the other party behaved in a way that breached their duty of care toward you.

Obtaining traffic camera footage, photos and testimony from eyewitnesses who can offer an idea of what they saw are all essential. You’ll also need medical records to demonstrate that you suffered injuries because of the defendant's conduct.

In complex accidents, your personal injury lawyer may also rely on testimony from expert witnesses to support your case for bicycle accident compensation. These can be accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and many other leaders in their fields.

Fault and Partial Liability

There may be instances where the cyclist holds partial responsibility for the accident. This does not automatically preclude compensation but can affect the claim's outcome depending on state laws. Some states reduce compensation based on the cyclist's fault percentage, while others may deny compensation if the cyclist is found even slightly at fault. Honest communication with legal counsel about any potential fault is crucial.

Cyclist Liability Considerations

Cyclists must adhere to road rules similar to motor vehicle drivers. Violations such as ignoring traffic signals or failing to use designated lanes can lead to partial or complete liability for an accident. Proper signaling and respecting the right-of-way are critical for avoiding fault assignments.

Post-Accident Actions

Following a bicycle accident, the next steps are crucial:

1. Contacting law enforcement to ensure an official accident report is filed.
2. Seeking medical attention to diagnose and document any injuries.
3. Filing a claim with the involved motorist's insurance provider.
4. Consulting with an experienced bicycle accident attorney for guidance and to maximize the chances of a favorable insurance claim outcome.

Most attorneys will offer you a free case evaluation, so it is worth speaking with a ConsumerShield lawyer near you who can help.