Portland is considered one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S., but cyclists are till hit by cars. One of the most common and dangerous types of bicycle accidents is the rear-end collision in which the motor vehicle rear-ends the bicycle. It is commonly assumed that if you are rear-ended, the driver who hit you is automatically considered at-fault and liable for your accident, but that’s not how it really works. Yes, in most cases the driver who does the rear-ending is to blame, but you still have to prove it and the insurance company will try to put the blame on you. You need the help of an experienced Oregon bicycle accident attorney.
Causes of Bicycle Rear-End Crashes
It seems silly to even have to say it, but drivers have a duty to use proper care to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of them, whether it’s a motor vehicle or a bicycle. They must allow adequate stopping distance, be looking for someone in front of them, drive at a reasonable speed for the traffic and weather conditions, and pay attention at all times. Driver negligence is the most common cause of rear-end accidents, but a defective vehicle or roadway defect can also cause these potentially deadly collisions.
Common causes of motor vehicles rear-ending bicycles include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding, or driving too fast for the conditions
- Following too closely
- Intoxication
- Drowsy driving
- Defective brakes
- Defect leading to spontaneous acceleration
- Malfunctioning traffic signal
- Other roadway defect
Bicyclists inured in rear-end collisions need an experienced Oregon bicycle accident attorney on their side. Please do not hesitate to call the Law Office of J. Clay McCaslin at 503-239-1910 or email us to schedule your free initial consultation.