If you were involved in a bicycle crash, you may be facing injuries, medical bills, and questions about how to move forward. Dealing with insurers or gathering evidence on your own can be overwhelming. A bicycle accident attorney from Tomeny | Best could evaluate your claim, explain your rights, and help you avoid mistakes that may weaken your case.
Our law firm could also provide an advocate who could manage communication with insurers, coordinate medical records, and track important deadlines while you focus on recovery. Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents in Baton Rouge can also give you a clearer picture of what factors may shape your claim.
What Causes Bicycle Crashes?
Negligent behavior of motor vehicle drivers causes many serious bicycle accidents. Louisiana law requires motorists to maintain a clearance of at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Failure to maintain that clearance is one of the most common reasons bicycle collisions occur in Baton Rouge. Motorists are also restricted from driving in bicycle lanes unless they are turning within 200 feet of an intersection or entering a driveway. Driving in a bike lane increases the risk of sideswipe accidents for cyclists.
Dooring (getting struck by a car door) is another cause of bicycle crashes. State law prohibits opening a vehicle door unless it is reasonably safe to do so. Violations of this rule often result in cyclists being struck suddenly, as they have no time to react.
Cyclists also have rules and responsibilities. Louisiana law allows bicycle riding on shoulders but limits cyclists to riding no more than two abreast on most roads. Failure to follow those provisions can affect the determination of fault in a claim.
Local Rules, Determining Fault, and Deadlines
Local ordinances provide additional details on how bicycle accidents are evaluated. Cyclists are not allowed to ride on sidewalks in business districts or where signs specifically prohibit it. Even in areas where sidewalk riding is permitted, pedestrians always have the right-of-way. These local rules often become part of the analysis after a crash near storefronts or downtown intersections.
Key factors attorneys often review include:
- Whether the driver respected the three-foot passing law
- Whether a vehicle unlawfully entered or blocked a bike lane
- Evidence of dooring that is supported by video or witness accounts
- A cyclist’s use of shoulders and adherence to riding restrictions
- Local prohibitions on riding on a sidewalk in commercial areas
Louisiana applies comparative fault rules to bicycle crash cases. This means damages can be reduced if both the cyclist and driver share responsibility. A new statutory change taking effect in 2026 bars recovery if someone is found 51 percent or more at fault.
Additionally, the prescriptive period, or deadline, for filing a personal injury case was extended from one year to two years for accidents occurring after July 1, 2024. These shifting rules are why a case review can be critical. A Baton Rouge attorney could use their knowledge of the common causes of bicycle collisions to help you understand the laws, rights, and deadlines that apply to your claim.
Call a Lawyer for Help With Your Baton Rouge Bicycle Crash Case
If you were hurt due to one of the common causes of bicycle accidents in Baton Rouge, take steps now to protect yourself. Seek medical attention, save all receipts, and retain any photos or videos of the scene. These records can play a vital role in showing how the accident happened.
Speaking with Tomeny | Best could help you understand how bicycle traffic laws and local ordinances may apply to your claim. Call today to learn about your legal options.
