New Jersey Driver Road Rage Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Proudly serving all of New Jersey

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ROAD RAGE DRIVERS AND BIKE ACCIDENTS

If you have been the victim of road rage, the New Jersey bike accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. are here to help you seek full compensation for your injuries. Those who cause an injury due to road rage must be held accountable for their actions – and we can help.

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WHAT RIGHTS DO NEW JERSEY BICYCLISTS HAVE?

When drivers are rushing to work, stressed, or in an emotionally-taxed state, road rage can lead to irrational and dangerous driving behavior. Many drivers are frustrated when bicyclists share the road, even though under New Jersey law, bicyclists have the right to share the road with motor vehicles. Cyclists must follow the rules of the road and are required to adhere to the following regulations:

• The bicycle must be equipped with front and rear lights and a rear reflector.
• The bicycle must be equipped with a bell or audible signal.
• The bicycle must have properly functioning brakes that will function on dry, level, clean pavement.
• The cyclist is required to use hand signals for turns.

Bicyclists must stay as far to the right hand side of the roadway as possible and may only move to the left for the following reasons:

• To make a left hand turn from a left lane
• To avoid hazards on the right side, such as drains or debris
• To pass slower moving vehicles

Bicyclists may also leave the far right side of the roadway when they want to ride two abreast, but only as long as they are not impeding traffic. They may also use any lane when travelling at the same speed as moving traffic. Many New Jersey drivers do not appreciate bicyclists sharing the road, even when the cyclist is obeying the law. When frustration escalates into anger, it becomes a road rage situation, dangerous for all involved – particularly the cyclist.

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WHAT INJURIES MAY BE SUSTAINED IN A ROAD RAGE ACCIDENT?

When bicyclists are involved in an accident, they are in a very vulnerable position. They do not have the same protection that vehicle passengers have; there is no air bag, seatbelt, or metal enclosure to protect a bicyclist from the dangers on the road. Some common bicycle-related injuries include road rash, bruising, and concussions. Injuries are often far more serious, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or injuries so severe they result in death or permanent disability. One angry swerve can cost a bicyclist his or her life.

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IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROAD RAGE DRIVERS AND COLLISIONS WITH BIKERS?

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reports that while only one percent of rides taken in the United States are by bicycle, cyclists are at much higher risk of injury or death in accidents. In a recent year, an estimated 494,000 trips to the emergency room were the result of bicycle-related injuries, and 900 cyclists lost their lives. Does road rage play a part in this epidemic?

A study issued by the National Institute of Health reports that one-third of the study participants admitted to having feelings of road rage while driving, but only about two percent of these drivers acted upon the rage in a manner that resulted in injury to others. Aggressive drivers who are experiencing road rage may feel provoked by an innocent bicyclist – usually merely by the fact that the cyclist is sharing the road. When drivers operate their vehicles negligently, a cyclist in the area may be the direct, or indirect victim of an act of road rage.

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OUR NJ BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS ARE READY TO HELP VICTIMS

Some New Jersey drivers tend towards road rage on the best of days; throw a bicyclist into the mix and you have a deadly combination. The resentment and anger can escalate to such a degree that the cyclist is in grave danger. Threatening driving behavior, swerving, and intentionally hitting a bicyclist have all occurred. Although one can generally understand that a driver may be in a hurry, taking actions that endanger others and put their lives at risk is an act of negligence. That party must be held accountable.

If you’ve been injured while riding a bike, a NJ personal injury attorney from Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. can advocate for your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and suffering. We have won and negotiated settlements for our clients in excess of $4 million, and we are committed to seeking justice for injured bicyclists in the Princeton, NJ area.

Contact our accident lawyers without delay for a free case evaluation. We fight for the rights of injured bicyclists, including injury and wrongful death cases involving road rage.

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