New Jersey Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycle Laws in New Jersey

In New Jersey, bicyclists have important rights and duties outlined in Title 39 of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation laws. Some of the most important bicycle laws for both riders and drivers include:For Riders

• Rights and Duties of Persons on Bicycles (39:4-14.1). Every person who rides a bicycle on a roadway has the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.
• Operating Regulations (39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11). Bicyclists must right as near to the right of the road as practicable, and may move left to (1) make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket, (2) avoid debris, drains, or other hazards, (3) to pass a slower moving vehicle, (4) occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 6) travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.
• Helmet Law (39:4-10.1). All cyclists under 17 are required to wear a helmet.
• Lights on Bicycles (39:4-10). When ridden at night, bicycles must have a front headlight and a rear red light visible from at least 600 feet away.
• Riding on Sidewalks. Cycling on sidewalks is not prohibited by state law, but some municipalities don’t allow bicycle traffic on specific sidewalks.

For Drivers:

• Safe Passing: Because bicyclists have the same rights as motor vehicles, motorists who wish to pass them must treat them like a slow moving vehicle, and abide by rules for safe passing.
• Checking for Riders: Drivers of motor vehicles should take reasonable care to look for bicyclists before making a driving maneuver, especially at intersections.
• Safe Following Distance: Motorists should provide a reasonably safe distance and avoid getting too close to riders.
• Bike Lanes: Drivers should not park in or block designated bike lanes, and should not drive in bike lanes in order to pass other motorists.

Unfortunately, even bicyclists who follow all the rules and remain vigilant can suffer harm when others are negligent. If your bicycle accident was caused by someone else’s negligent acts, our award-winning attorneys at Levinson Axelrod, P.A. can help you take the steps toward holding them accountable.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New Jersey

Bicycle accidents involving negligent motorists are unfortunately common and can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. Here are the most common causes:

• Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Motorists often fail to yield to cyclists at intersections, especially when turning. This includes right hooks (when a car turns right across a cyclist’s path) and left crosses (when a car turning left hits a cyclist coming straight through the intersection).
• Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or using GPS can cause drivers to miss cyclists entirely. Cyclists are less visible than cars, so even a brief distraction can be dangerous.
• Unsafe Passing: Some drivers pass too closely, violating safe passing laws. Cyclists need space to avoid road hazards, and a close pass can cause panic or force them off the road.
• Speeding: Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase the severity of collisions. It’s harder to see and respond to a cyclist when driving too fast, especially in urban areas.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. DUI drivers are a serious hazard to cyclists, especially at night.
• Dooring: When a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path. Often occurs in urban areas with parked cars and narrow lanes.
• Running Stop Signs or Red Lights: Some drivers ignore traffic signals or stop signs, cutting off or striking cyclists with the right-of-way.
• Turning Without Checking Blind Spots: Cyclists riding alongside cars may be in blind spots. When drivers don’t check mirrors before changing lanes or turning, it can result in side-swipes or cutoff collisions.
• Weather-Related Negligence: Drivers who don’t adjust their behavior in poor weather (e.g., slowing down, using lights) increase risk for everyone—especially vulnerable road users like cyclists.
• Failure to Respect Bike Lanes: Some drivers drift into or park in bike lanes, forcing cyclists into traffic or causing direct collisions.

Who is Liable for My Bicycle Accident?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be wondering who is liable for your damages and how to hold them accountable.

When you come to our firm, we tackle every aspect of your case for you. We start by investigating your accident to uncover who was at fault. While every case is different, there are some examples of parties that can be held accountable for causing bicycle crashes:

• A negligent motorist responsible for intersection or crosswalk accidents
• Drivers who fail to pass cyclists at a safe distance
• A commercial driver or company that causes a preventable truck accident
• Manufacturers of defective bicycles, bike components, or defective products
• Public entities responsible for bus accidents or road defects
• Property owners that failed to address potential hazards