Maryland is a strict comparative negligence state. This means that a victim of an accident CANNOT recover any compensation if it is proven that he or she was even 1% “at fault” for the accident. Concerning bicycle/car accidents, it is very common for a motorist to claim that the cyclist did something or failed to do something that contributed to the accident. For this reason, it is crucial for bicyclists in Waldorf, Maryland, to take all the necessary steps to avoid being at fault for any accident so that, if an accident occurs, the injured bicyclist can obtain full and complete compensation for their injuries and damage to property. For more information or if you have suffered injuries in a bicycle/automobile accident in Waldorf, contact the top-rated bicycle accident lawyers here at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Our number is (301) 870-1200, or use our contact page. Here are some tips for ensuring that you have a claim if you have been injured in a bicycling accident.

Tip 1: Know the law and your responsibilities as a bicyclist

One of the most common charges against a bicyclist in an accident claim is that the bicyclist was violating a traffic law. Indeed, if proven, this will likely prevent the bicyclist from recovering compensation because disobeying traffic laws is often at least one cause of an accident. In Maryland, bicyclists follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. This means, for example, obeying traffic lights, signals, signage, and markings on the pavement. Further, bicyclists need to ride on the right and as close to the right side of the road as possible and should use marked bike lanes when available. Other legal responsibilities include:

• Yielding to pedestrians
• Using hand signals to indicate turns
• Have proper braking and other safety equipment (like reflective striping, reflectors, lamps, etc.)
• Do not speed — yes, it is possible for a bicyclist to go faster than the posted speed limit
• Do not swerve in and around cars — this is dangerous and a violation of traffic laws
• Give extra room to buses, big trucks, and other heavy vehicles on the roads
• Pay full attention, including full attention with your ears — so no earbuds blocking your ability to hear
• Do not have any riders (unless the bike is designed for more than one person) — this part of the law in Maryland

Tip 2: Wear a helmet

Maryland does not require bicyclists to wear a bicycle helmet unless they are under 16. However, wearing a helmet will enhance your chances of recovering compensation if you are injured by the negligent driving of another. You do not want the negligent driver to get away with saying: “they wouldn’t have been injured if they had been wearing a helmet.”

Tip 3: Do not “showboat”

Lots of cyclists enjoy showing off while riding, doing wheelies, making sudden stops, holding their hands off the bars, attaching to passing vehicles, etc. If you feel the need, it is best to leave showboating for an empty parking lot because showboating in traffic will almost certainly mean you will not be able to recover compensation if there is an accident.

Tip 4: Adjust how you ride for road conditions

As with motorists, bicyclists need to adjust how they drive for the weather and road conditions. For example, if it is wet, slow down and give yourself more room for complete braking.

Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601.