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There are many places to go bike riding in Mississippi, but accidents often occur. If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a bike accident because of a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. A Greene County bicycle accident lawyer provides the consulting services that let you know whether you have a case and how to proceed. Reach out to a local attorney to learn about the steps to take to file a personal injury claim.
Mississippi classifies bikes as vehicles, meaning riders enjoy the same rights as drivers. However, since the state also considers bicyclists “vulnerable road users” due to the lack of protective framing on bikes, drivers must adhere to certain laws to keep cyclists safe. For example, drivers cannot taunt, harass, or throw objects with the intent of harm at bicyclists without facing legal repercussions as per the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act.
The act requires drivers to maintain a distance of at least three feet when they are passing bicyclists and to continue at such a distance until they have safely passed the cyclists. Bicyclists also have the right to use roads in Mississippi. However, they are not allowed on interstate highways or in controlled access facilities.
Additional provisions state that motor vehicles must give bicyclists the right of way in bike lanes. Drivers do not have the right to block such lanes, and those who do or violate other safety act regulations will likely hear from the plaintiffs’ legal teams.
Drivers who strike bicyclists may try to argue that the plaintiffs ran red lights. While some states, such as Idaho, prohibit cyclists from going through red lights, Mississippi allows them to do so as long as the light remains red for an unreasonable amount of time, and there are no safety issues present. Legal professionals in Greene County who represent bicyclists refer to this law when necessary.
While Mississippi laws note that drivers must stay as close to the side of the road as they can the majority of the time, there are safety-related exceptions. If it is too dangerous to ride on the right side due to hazards such as construction debris, wild animals, or narrow lanes, the cyclist has the right to move without becoming subject to state comparative negligence laws if an accident transpires. Comparative negligence reduces compensation in light of how much of the accident was the plaintiff’s fault.
Bicyclists also have the right to move when they pass another cyclist or vehicle going in the same direction, and when they make left turns. Attorneys who provide bicycle accident services argue these points to help their clients obtain damages.
Colliding with a vehicle when you are riding a bicycle can cause serious injuries in addition to mental and emotional anguish. If you were struck by a driver due to the person’s negligence or intentional act, contact a Greene County bicycle accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. The legal professional provides services that take significant stress out of the claims process.
Your rights as a bicyclist should never be a question in Mississippi. Unfortunately, not all drivers follow the rules of the road. Schedule a consultation today to determine what damages you can potentially recover in light of your injuries, including medical care costs and bike repairs.