If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle accident contact an attorney before doing anything else to protect your rights. Bicycle safety should always be at the top of anyone’s mind when biking or driving from one place to another but unfortunately, this is not always the case. At GSAS, we are dedicated personal injury attorneys that focus on bicycle accidents. We can help ensure that you perform the right steps following your accident so you can avoid being taken advantage of.
How Common is a Bicycle Accident in Kentucky?
Riding a bike is a wonderful way to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Kentucky while getting from place to place. Unfortunately, bicycle safety is not often considered and bicycle accidents do happen. In fact, in 2020, a total of 354 accidents occurred within the state of Kentucky. Of which, 237 people were injured and four died -certainly, a sobering number.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk of bicycle accidents. Primarily, maintaining proper cycling protocol and prioritizing bicycle safety. Keep reading to hear our top bicycle safety tips!
What Kentucky Bike Laws Are in Place to Protect Bicyclists?
Kentucky bike laws are a specific set of laws that apply only to bicyclists within the state of Kentucky. These laws are created to help protect you and can include:
- KRS 189.080 | Anyone operating a vehicle, with bicycles falling under vehicle classification, must sound a horn, bell, or similar noise whenever necessary and as a warning of approach to other cyclists, pedestrians, or motor vehicles
- KRS 189.231 | All bicyclists must obey traffic controls and signs
- KRS 189.287 | Kentucky officials will consistently update bicycle safety standards and regulations and it is the duty of the bicyclist to stay up-to-date on this information.
In addition to these laws, there are a series of bicycle regulations that allow for improved cyclist safety. Bicycles must be outfitted with proper gear. These can include but are not limited to:
- A forward facing light reflector that is visible for at least 500 feet when not on a highway and additional light reflectors when on a highway
- A horn, bell, or other similar noise-making device
- Brakes and a seat
Many of these laws are common sense and are in place to keep you safe. In general, always remember to follow vehicle regulations – especially stopping at stop signs or red lights. Maintain safe gear and be sure to look both ways before making a left turn.
What Traffic Laws Affect Bicycle Safety?
As bicycles are viewed as vehicles in the state of Kentucky, they are supposed to follow all of the same traffic laws as cars do. Common traffic laws are:
- Yield to crossing traffic, when someone arrives before you at an intersection they have the right of way
- If you need to change lanes you must be amenable to yielding to the vehicles within the lane you are attempting to move to
- The slowest vehicle on the road should always be on the right, as a cyclist, this is very often bicycles.
- Specific to bikes: bikes are able to share lanes with cars as long as the lane is wide enough to share
Top Bicycle Safety Tips
So what can you do outside of maintaining an awareness of Kentucky bike and traffic laws? Quite a lot!
- Check your equipment before you begin biking to ensure that everything is safely working
- Wear bright clothes, especially at night, this allows drivers to see you coming
- Be aware of your surroundings! Understand that a car may surprise you by backing out of a driveway.
- Don’t bike if you’ve been drinking or doing drugs. If you need to get anywhere, ask a sober friend to drive you.
- Always maintain an awareness of what is going on around you. Keep your eyes and ear open to avoid distractions.
Your risk of experiencing a bike accident will go down if you follow these easy tips. So remember to stay vigilant and look out for one another. With your help, the amount of Kentucky bike accidents can go down.
If I Am Partially At Fault for My Bicycle Accident Do I Still Have a Case?
Regardless of fault, always reach out to an established lawyer after experiencing a bicycle accident. Kentucky is a pure-comparative fault state. This means that even if you are deemed to have been partially at fault for your accident you are still able to receive compensation for your accident.
For example, if you were deemed to be 50% at fault for an accident that you are seeking $100,000 for, you would be able to claim $50,000. This is why it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, especially when you believe you are at fault for your accident. We are able to fight for you to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
When Your Bicycle Safety is Put at Risk Call Spivak & Sakellariou
If you’ve experienced a bike accident don’t hesitate to reach out to Spivak & Sakellariou. You may be entitled to financial compensation for any missed wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
Insurance companies and adjusters are masters at negotiation. It pays for them to pay out as little as possible and they spend a lot of time and money ensuring that they are positioned to do just that.
That’s where an Accident Attorney from Spivak & Sakellariou comes in. We have your best interests at heart and are focused on getting you the results you rightly deserve. We’ve negotiated hundreds of settlements for our clients and have a proven track record of results and satisfied clients.
