Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Cherry Hill

Traffic laws apply to bicycles same way they apply to any other vehicle on the road. If the person is within the roadways and operating a bicycle, then the applicable laws are the same regardless of the fact that their vehicle is not a car. This is due to the fact the laws apply to the use of the road rather than the nature of the vehicle on the road.

A bicyclist should obey traffic laws at all times in order to increase the likelihood of avoiding an accident. That being said, accidents can happen despite the best of intentions and most careful behaviors. In case of an accident or injury, it is important to know the traffic laws for bicyclists in Cherry Hill. Speak with an experienced attorney today to learn more.

Impact of Not Following the Law

Whether or not a bicyclist is following the law is going to directly impact the case because an attorney needs to prove who is responsible for the accident before either party can be entitled to damages from another party. If the bicyclist was not abiding by the law, the argument could be made that they themselves were responsible for the accident due to their own negligence.

Given that New Jersey is a comparative negligence state, a bicyclist found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident would not be entitled to make a recovery.

Informational Resources

For those who wish to stay updated on the traffic laws for bicyclists in Cherry Hill, there is a section of the New Jersey state website called NJ Commuter. Within that, there is a specific section that relates to biking in New Jersey. It lists all of the regulations that are required for bicycles.

In fact, the bicycle regulations are regulated under Title 39, which is the title for motor vehicles and traffic regulation laws. The State of New Jersey puts the biking regulations in the same title because they want the bicyclist to abide by the same laws. With that in mind, there are some unique traffic laws for bicyclists in Cherry Hill.

Unique Provisions

Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right roadside as is practical, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A bicyclist may move left to make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket and to avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions on the right.

A cyclist can move left to pass a slower moving vehicle or to occupy any available lane when travelling at the same speed as other traffic. They must travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded but otherwise ride in single file. Every person riding a bicycle shall ride in the same direction as a vehicular traffic.

Impact of a Driver Being at Fault

If the bicyclist is deemed to be at-fault for an accident, they are not going to be able to make a recovery against the other vehicle or bicyclist that was involved in the accident with them. However, they would still be entitled for medical treatment and medical bills most likely under their own car insurance policy or through the State of New Jersey, depending on various factors. Just because someone is at-fault does not necessarily mean that they are not going to be able to make a recovery for some things.

The reason they can still recover damages for medical treatment and medical bills is that the insurance companies and the state want to ensure that if someone is injured, medical treatment for those injuries is an option regardless of how the injury came about.

If the bicyclist is not at-fault, in addition to their treatment and their medical bills, they are going to be entitled to their damages against the responsible party. Those damages can include a number of things, including injuries, lost wages, any future medical treatment, and other related factors.

How an Attorney Can Help Recover Damages

The traffic laws for bicyclists in Cherry Hill state that a bicyclist must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. An attorney will be extremely helpful when it comes to assessing the amount to be sought in damages. This applies even if the bicyclist is found to be at-fault, because a lawyer will work to represent the interests of these individuals throughout the case. If you have been involved in an accident, reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible to begin discussing your options.