Somerset County Bicycle Accident Lawyers
New Jersey Bicycle Accident Attorney
Riding a bicycle in New Jersey should be an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Unfortunately, other drivers often don't give enough respect to bicycle riders, but bicyclists share equal rights to those who drive a car, truck, or motorcycle on New Jersey roadways. Specifically, riders of bicycles are required to obey the same rules as other vehicles on the road. Often there is a bicycle lane explicitly delineated for bicycle riders. Through the negligence, inattentiveness or willfulness of other motor vehicle drivers, injuries occur which require the assistance of the Mark Law Firm New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyer. These bicycle accidents can occur when a motor-vehicle driver fails to:
- adequately stop at a posted stop sign;
- obey speed limits on a blind curve; or
- while pulling in or out of a driveway or parking spot.
A bicycle may also be rear-ended if a car is following too closely behind a bicyclist. If this occurs, a bicycle accident could occur where the bicycle rider is "sandwiched" between two cars resulting in serious injuries, such as a broken leg, amputation, or death. When these bicycle injuries result, contact a bicycle crash lawyer in New Jersey to discuss your bicycle collision.
For those bicyclists who are involved in even a minor bicycle accident will often suffer far greater injury than anyone who was in a car or other motor vehicle. Cyclists in New Jersey who wear protective gear, such as helmets, will always have some injuries, even if it's only road rash. For those who were hit by a car at low speeds, there is generally only damage done to the aesthetics of their car, while for bicyclists, they are generally thrown from the bicycle and generally suffer serious injuries including broken bones, road-rash, lacerations, brain damage, severe bleeding or even death. Our New Jersey bicycle accident attorneys are experienced with seeking compensation for riders who are involved in bicycle accidents.
Contact Mark Law Firm - Bicycle Accident lawyers in New Jersey
Receive a consultation from our New Jersey Bicycle Accident attorney regarding your accident. Once you have retained our injury law firm we will diligently represent you in obtaining compensation for your Bicycle Accident injuries. Contact Mark Law Firm, about your Bicycle Accident today to speak about your injuries. Contact Mark Law Firm, and speak to one of our Bicycle Accident lawyers today by calling 888-734-8287 , or contact one of our local Offices by calling 908-626-1001 (Somerset County - Basking Ridge), 973-440-2311 (Bergen County - Oradell); 973-440-2311 ( ). Also, feel free to contact one of our attorneys online by filing out our " contact us" sheet on the top page of this website.
Other important information to know about Bicycle Safety
Bicycling in New Jersey is regulated under Title 39 of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation laws.
39:4-14.5 Definition.
"Bicycle" means any two wheeled vehicle having a rear drive which is solely human powered and having a seat height of 25 inches or greater when the seat is in the lowest adjustable position.
39:4-10 Lights on Bicycles.
When in use at nighttime every bicycle shall be equipped with: 1) A front headlamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; 2) A rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear; 3) In addition to the red lamp a red reflector may be mounted on the rear.
39:4-11 Audible Signal.
A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle.
39:4-11.1 Brakes.
A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that can make wheels skid while stopping on dry, level, clean pavement.
39:4-12 Feet and Hands on Pedals and Handlebars; Carrying Another Person.
Bicyclists should not drive the bicycle with feet removed from the pedals, or with both hands removed from the handlebars, nor practice any trick or fancy driving in a street. Limit passengers to only the number the bicycle is designed and equipped to carry (the number of seats it has).
39:4-14 Hitching on Vehicle Prohibited.
No person riding a bicycle shall attach themselves to any streetcar or vehicle.
39:4-14.1 Rights and Duties of Persons on Bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway is granted all the rights and subject to all of the duties of the motor vehicle driver.
39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11 Operating Regulations.
Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right roadside as practicable exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A bicyclist may move left under any of the following conditions: 1) To make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket; 2) To avoid debris, drains, or other hazardous conditions on the right; 3) To pass a slower moving vehicle; 4) To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 5) To 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 vehicular traffic.
In New Jersey, the law states a bicyclist must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. A parent may be held responsible for the child's violation of any traffic law.
Helmet Law
Title 39:4-10.1
In New Jersey, anyone under 17 years of age that rides a bicycle or is a passenger on a bicycle, or is towed as a passenger by a bicycle must wear a safety helmet.
On August 1, 1998 this helmet law was extended to include roller and inline skates and skateboards. Roller skates means a pair of devices worn on the feet with a set of wheels attached, regardless of the number or placement of those wheels and used to glide or propel the user over the ground.
The definition of bicycle with reference to the helmet legislation is a vehicle with two wheels propelled solely by human power and having pedals, handle bars and a saddle-like seat. The term shall include a bicycle for two or more persons having seats and corresponding pedals arranged in tandem.
All helmets must be properly fastened and fitted. Bicycle helmets must meet the federal standards developed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) effective March 10, 1999 that ensure the best head protection and strong chin straps to keep the helmet in place during a fall or collision. Also acceptable are helmets meeting the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1990 Standard for Protection Headgear.
Exemptions from the helmet requirement are persons who operate or ride a bicycle (as a driver or a passenger) on a roadway closed to motor traffic; on a trail, route, course, boardwalk, path or area set aside only for the use of bicycles. These exemptions do not apply if the areas of operation are adjacent to a roadway and not separated from motor vehicle traffic by a barrier that prevents the bicycle from entering the roadway. Bicyclists or passengers operating in an area where helmets are not required who need to cross a road or highway should walk with the bicycle.
Initial violators of the helmet law will receive warnings. For minors, the parent or legal guardian may be fined a maximum of $25 for the 1 st offense and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s), if lack of parental supervision contributed to the offense.
Bicycle salespersons and rental agents must display a sign at least 15 inches long and 8 inches wide at the point where the transaction is completed when they sell or rent a bicycle. This sign should read: "STATE LAW REQUIRES A BICYCLE RIDER UNDER 17 YEARS TO WEAR A HELMET."
