Riding a bicycle can be a lot of fun and a great source of exercise, but it can also be dangerous for the bicyclist. One of the biggest threats to a bicyclist’s safety is drivers of automobiles. Fortunately, drivers owe certain legal duties to bicyclists under Nevada law that help keep bicyclists safe from harm. Despite having laws in place to protect bicyclists, however, sometimes drivers violate their legal duties to bicyclists and end up injuring or even killing them. When bicyclists are harmed by careless, negligent drivers, they can turn to an experienced personal injury lawyer for help bringing a claim against those who have harmed them.
What Legal Duties do Drivers Owe to Bicyclists?
Under NRS 484B.270, drivers owe a duty of care to bicyclists. This duty of care includes:
- Avoiding a collision with a bicyclist and using a horn to signal to a bicyclist as appropriate to avoid an accident.
- Not intentionally interfering with the bicyclist’s legal riding of a bicycle.
- Taking due care when passing a bicyclist who is traveling in the same direction as the driver.
- Passing a bicyclist while giving the bicyclist as much room as possible (the passing distance between a driver and a bicyclist should be no less than three feet).
- When passing a bicyclists on a road that has multiple travel lanes going in the same direction as the bicyclist, moving over (if possible) one lane to give the bicyclist a safe amount of room.
- Waiting until the vehicle has passed the bicyclist a safe distance before moving back over to the other lane.
- Yielding the right of way to bicyclists who share the roadway.
A driver should generally not enter, stop, stand, park, or drive into the path or lane of a bicyclist, except when:
- Entering or exiting a road, alley or driveway,
- There is an emergency,
- Avoiding a traffic issue,
- Performing official duties, such as a police officer using the shoulder/bike lane to get to an accident scene in dense traffic,
- Complying with the commands of a law enforcement officer, and
- Operating a disabled vehicle.
Bicyclists Owe a Duty of Care to Motor Vehicle Drivers
Drivers are not the only ones who owe a duty of care when on the roadways. Bicyclists also have an obligation under the law to operate their bicycle with a duty of care to drivers of motor vehicles. Specifically, bicyclists should not intentionally interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle, and should not overtake or pass a motor vehicle unless passing can be done safely and will not endanger the driver, any passengers in the vehicle, or the bicyclist.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a negligent driver of a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle, a bicycle accident personal injury lawyer in Nevada can help you seek the financial compensation that you deserve. Please give our office a call. The team at H & P is happy to schedule a free consultation with you.
