Search Site
Menu

Bicyclists in Danger From Careless Drivers

Bicycle activists are outraged that a grand jury failed to return an indictment against a truck driver who killed a bicyclist on Weston Road in Wellesley. The grand jury was presented with more than 50 pieces of evidence including video footage, witnesses testifying in support of the bicyclist’s riding, and a defendant who not only fled the scene, but also had an extensive history of driving infractions.

Bike accidents rarely lead to criminal actions. (Civil suits serve as the way to seek restitution.) It is plain to see that most drivers don’t understand the rules that say cars and trucks must yield to bike riders under the law. Those that don’t are seldom brought to justice by law enforcement. Note that cars and trucks yield to bicycles and bicycles, meanwhile, must yield to pedestrians.

Here are motorist responsibilities towards bike riders according to MassBike:

  • Motorists and passengers must check for passing bicyclists before opening a door.
  • Motorists must stay a safe distance to the left of a bicyclist when passing. Motorists are prohibited from returning to the right until safety clear of the bicyclist.
  • Motorists must pass at a safe distance. If the lane is too narrow to pass safely, the motorist must use another lane to pass, or, if that is also unsafe, the motorist must wait until it is safe to pass.
  • Motorists are prohibited from making abrupt right turns at intersections and driveways cutting in front of a cyclist.
  • Motorists must yield to oncoming bicyclists when making left turns. The law expressly includes yielding to bicyclists riding to the right of other traffic (e.g., on the shoulder), where they are legally permitted but may be more difficult for motorists to see.
  • Motorists may not use the fact that a bicyclist was riding to the right of traffic as a legal defense for causing a crash with a bicyclist.

Increasingly, I am seeing more bicycle and motor vehicle accident cases. This is unfortunate as the injuries are often very severe. Yes, that is what I do, but I would rather the accident not happen at all,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Feinberg & Alban, P.C. fervently protects your rights
  • The Boston firm of Feinberg & Alban, P.C. specializes its practice in the area of personal injury.

    The attorneys serve the entire state of Massachusetts in addition to affiliating with lawyers in other states to handle cases outside of Massachusetts.

  • $7.7 Million Award for Feinberg & Alban Client in Personal Injury Trial

    Boston Attorneys Win Highest Injury Verdict in Massachusetts in 2011 & 2012.

Client Reviews
  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Colleen was absolutely amazing to work with! She made the entire process much less stressful and helped me every step of the way. Very happy!

    Read more

    Kendyll Smith

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Nothing but great things to say. Colleen was amazing, she made the process stress free and always communicated well, and in a timely manor. she was very helpful with any questions I had, and was overall wonderful to work with. I highly recommend.

    Read more

    Ian MacDonnell

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Nothing but ALL GOOD THINGS! Colleen always got the answers I needed when I needed them, always responded to every text and call, and did it every time with a smile (I always imagined )! When I was getting antsy, she calmed my nerves, and when I made...

    Read more

    Kimberly Sims

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Colleen is a Wonderful lawyer and communicated with us throughout the whole process and answered emails and phone calls in a timely manner. We highly recommend this law firm and Colleen Santora!

    Read more

    Erica Sacco

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Perry Feinberg represented me in a personal injury case. He was always accessible and very clear in his communications. I was very upset when the process commenced because thinking about the accident upset me greatly, but Perry was extremely patient ...

    Read more

    Lisa Tagio

See all reviews
Awards & Affiliations
Contact us

Quick Contact Form