New Jersey Intersection Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Proudly serving all of New Jersey

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CAR AND BICYCLE COLLISION AT AN INTERSECTION

At Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., our experienced New Jersey bicycle accident attorneys have helped many cyclists get the compensation they need for recovery from at fault motorists in intersection accident cases. To help you establish your claim, we will investigate the facts surrounding your case, gather strong supporting evidence, and even consult with forensic specialists, accident reconstructionists, and other professionals in relevant fields. If you have any specific inquiries regarding your case, please call (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation. You may also fill out an online contact form.

Intersections are hotbeds for bicycle-car collisions. In fact, close to half of all bicycle-car collisions take place at intersections, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although motorists are more likely to be at fault in such incidents than cyclists, police tend to exhibit bias in favor of motorists, leaving cyclists to fend for themselves. While cyclists can do their part in preventing accidents by wearing highly visible clothing, following the rules of the road, and taking safety precautions when traversing intersections, they should not be expected to bear full responsibility over their own safety. After all, it is the cyclist who stands to lose much more in a collision with the comparably well protected motorist.

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DETERMINING LIABILITY IN AN INTERSECTION BICYCLE ACCIDENT

There are other types of intersection bicycle collisions which do not involve motorists. For instance, a cyclist may experience an injurious wipeout due to bad road conditions or inadequate signage, in which case the government entity responsible for the area could be held liable for all damages. Or a defective bicycle part may cause a cyclist to lose control and get into a bad accident. In this case, the parts manufacturer and/or distributor could be held liable. Because no one accident case is the same, properly identifying the liable party often requires assistance from a skilled legal professional.

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THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY

The following intersections are among the most dangerous in New Jersey and should be avoided if possible:

• Black Horse Pike and Route 9 (Pleasantville)
• Broad and Market Streets (Newark)
• Newark Avenue and Observer Highway (Hoboken)
• Route 1 and Bakers Basin (Lawrenceville)
• Route 1 and Plainfield Avenue (Edison)
• Route 31 and Main Street (Glen Gardner)
• Tonnelle Avenue and Routes 1+9 (Jersey City)

As a bicyclist, you should always plan out your route before embarking on a ride. Try to stay off busy roads if you can. Bike paths are preferable to all else.

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COMMON WAYS IN WHICH BICYCLE-CAR INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS OCCUR

Here are some of the more common ways bicycles and cars collide at intersections:

• Stop Sign Accident: Accounting for nearly a tenth of all intersection accidents, this type of accident occurs when the cyclist does not have a stop sign while the car does. Having the right-of-way in this scenario, the cyclist may proceed freely. However, the motorist may not see the cyclist coming and drive out in front of or directly into the cyclist as he or she crosses.
• Left Cross: At an intersection, a motorist may not see a cyclist approaching from the opposite direction, or misjudge the speed at which he or she is going, and turn left in front of and directly into him or her.
• Right Hook: There are multiple ways in which this type of collision can happen. A car may pass a cyclist and then turn right in front of or directly into the cyclist. Or both the car and the cyclist may be waiting at an intersection, but the motorist isn’t aware of the cyclist, and so turns into him or her when the light turns green.

The motorist is liable in the scenarios described above. Of course, there are cases in which cyclists are liable, usually when they fail to yield to a motorist that has the right of way, or enter intersections without checking for oncoming vehicles.

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NJ BIKE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF BICYCLISTS IN THE GARDEN STATE

Because the NJ intersection accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. primarily focus on injury cases, they can keep track of the latest developments in personal and work injury law and provide clients with consistent, high-quality legal representation. We never take on cases wholesale; instead, we give each and every one the attention it deserves. To discuss your case with one of our legal associates, contact our office at (609) 240-0040 today.

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