Car Accidents Involving Bicycles

Bicycle accidents are far too common in Louisiana. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents often turn deadly. If a cyclist is injured because of a negligent driver, then the cyclist is entitled to compensation. If a cyclist is killed because of a negligent driver, then the cyclist’s loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Examples of Bicycle Accidents in Louisiana

In September 2018, a bicyclist was hit by a vehicle in Lafayette. The accident happened on Verot School Road, and the cyclist was hospitalized.

In July 2018, an early morning cyclist died after a vehicle hit him on a state highway in Acadia Parish. The accident happened while the vehicle was trying to pass other motorists. The cyclist was critically injured and died at the hospital.

In June 2018, a Baton Rouge councilman died in a bicycle accident. Buddy Amoroso was biking with a friend along a state highway in St. Francisville when the vehicle struck them. The friend sustained critical injuries.

In April 2018, a 54-year-old bicyclist died when he was struck by a vehicle in Kenner. He was crossing Airline Drive near Lesan Drive when the accident happened. The cyclist was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene.

Rules of the Road for Cyclists

Bicycles, cars and trucks all share the road. (The only cyclists allowed to use sidewalks are those 12 years old and younger.) Motor vehicles must always yield to cyclists, and vehicles passing cyclists going in the same direction must keep at least three feet between them.

For their part, cyclists must use hand signals, and those under 12 years old must wear a helmet.

Any kind of traffic violation demonstrates negligence, even on the cyclist’s part. Louisiana is a comparative fault state, which means that the amount of damages injured parties receive is reduced by their own percentage of fault. Imagine that a cyclist makes a left hand turn but does not use a hand signal, and a motorist expecting the cyclist to go straight crashes into him or her. While the cyclist can seek personal injury damages (especially if the motorist was also negligent), his or her failure to use hand signals can be used to reduced the amount of damages the cyclist receives.

Filing a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Louisiana

Cyclists can file a personal injury lawsuit if they are injured by a negligent driver. Keep in mind that Louisiana has a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Injured cyclists only have one year from the date of the injury to file their claim. Certain family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit if the cyclist dies because of a negligent driver. The same one-year statute of limitations, or deadline, applies.

Contact Us Today

Contact Patrick Yancey Law Firm today for a free consultation if you are an injured by a negligent driver, no matter your form of transportation. Our experienced attorneys will help you seek compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.