Articles Posted in Bicycle Accidents

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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month. A new federal law that prohibits commercial vehicle operators from using handheld cellphones while driving affects about 4 million truck and bus drivers.

Drivers who violate the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration law could be fined $2,750 for each offense and loss of their commercial operator’s license for multiple violations. Further, companies that allow truck drivers to use handheld phones while driving face a penalty.

Drivers who cause a crash while violating either the new federal law or Arkansas state law involving cell phone can be found negligent and possibly reckless for violating the law. Further, as an Arkansas truck accident law firm, we review the companies policies regarding cell phone use to determine if the trucking company provides a policy and whether the policy and training were followed in each instance. Cell phone records and company policy and procedure manuals are reviewed and if the accident was caused by distracted driving involving cell phone use, the company and truck driver should be held fully responsible.

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A California doctor was sentenced last month to five years in prison for a 2008 road rage incident that involved bicyclists. The driver slammed on his brakes in front of two cyclists, injuring both.

Unfortunately, similar bicycle incidents occur in Arkansas. I have heard from clients who were yelled at while riding a bicycle on an Arkansas road and cyclists who were run off the road by cars as they passed. This conduct is dangerous and should be reported to local Arkansas law enforcement. Bicycle accidents can lead to life-threatening or serious personal injuries.

It should be remembered by bicyclists and car drivers that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Cyclists can increase the safety for themselves and for fellow motorists by riding in a predictable pattern, using hand signals for turns, merges, and stops, and by making sure they are visible through the use of bicycle lights, reflectors, and avoiding dark-colored clothing. Motorists should not pass a bicycle when it’s not safe and should allow plenty of space to safely pass. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration lists the following facts regarding bicycle crashes:

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