How Do Road Hazards Cause Bike Accidents?

Steven A. Bagen | April 3, 2025 | Personal Injury

Hazards on and near the roadway can cause bike accidents in several ways. For example, a pothole in the road might cause cyclists to lose control of the bike. The bike rider might fall from their bike, strike a fixed object (like a pole or parked vehicle), or even be diverted into the path of a moving vehicle.

Work zones, loose debris, and other road hazards can also contribute to bicycle collisions. When road hazards cause a bike crash, the rider must consider who is at fault. Hire a lawyer to establish fault, determine liability, and pursue all the compensation you deserve.

 

Types of Road Hazards That Can Lead to Bike Accidents (and Injuries)

Roads, bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks can seem like chaotic, hazardous environments for bicyclists. When municipalities and other responsible parties make a concerted effort to protect bike riders, though, cyclists tend to be quite safe.

When responsible parties fail to prioritize bicyclist safety, the result of their negligence can be catastrophic. Some of the road hazards that may cause a bicycle accident are:

Potholes, Cracks, and Other Blemishes in the Bike Lane

Bike wheels can only sustain so much. While they can ride through some pebbles and minor blemishes on the road, an accident might happen when a cyclist encounters:

• A pothole
• A significant crack in the asphalt
• Uneven surface
• Other significant flaws in the road

Roads (including bike lanes and sidewalks) are supposed to be paved, clearly marked, and safe for bike riders. When bike crashes happen because of poorly maintained roads, the cyclist has every right to demand compensation from the at-fault party.

Lack of Adequate Bicycle Lanes

Many fatal bike accidents happen when there is no bike lane present. It’s also true that:

• When a motorist has to decide whether to pass a bicyclist on the road (and when to pass them), there is a heightened accident risk.
• Federal, state, and local authorities must recognize that bike lanes are a necessity.
• A failure to provide bike-worthy lanes or sidewalks may qualify as negligence by responsible municipalities.

While other parties may be liable too, a bike accident victim has to consider whether a lack of a bike lane puts them in harm’s way.

General Debris

Bikers should not have to dodge debris. While some small trash on the ground is unlikely to cause an accident, larger debris (which may come from the roadway, nearby wooded areas, or other sources) can cause serious crashes.

A failure to keep bike lanes, sidewalks, and roads clear of debris can qualify as negligence. You may have grounds to file an insurance claim or sue if debris caused your accident.

Work Zones That Infringe on Bike Lanes 

Work zones overseen by municipalities, private construction companies, or other entities must:

• Allow for enough room for cyclists and motor vehicle drivers to operate safely.
• Afford cyclists an alternate path if the lane they would typically use is blocked or compromised by the work zone.
• Be self-contained so that debris, equipment, and other potential hazards from the work zone do not endanger cyclists or others.

If motor vehicle drivers or equipment operators do not abide by traffic laws within a work zone, this can also expose a bike rider to extreme risk of injury or death.

Inadequate Traffic Signs or Signals

Traffic lights, pedestrian crossing lights, stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic signs and signals are explicitly intended to protect pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders, and others on or near a road.

If a municipality lacks any signs, signals, lane markers, or other features that may have otherwise prevented your accident, that municipality may be liable for your resulting damages.

Poor Lighting

Over half of fatal serious traffic accidents affecting pedestrians happen at dusk or night. Adequate lighting is particularly important for bike riders because:

• Bikes do not typically have the built-in features, including bright headlights, that motor vehicles do
• Cyclists are already more difficult to see due to their small size (compared with motor vehicles)
• Even if a bike rider has reflectors and other safety features, these resources are not typically enough to prevent collisions

Municipalities should install bright lighting that illuminates the roadway, sidewalks, and bike lanes. If your collision happened at dusk or night, your attorney will investigate whether inadequate lighting played a role in the crash.

Who Is Responsible for Bicycle Collisions Resulting from Road Hazards?

Your attorney will gather all relevant information about your bike accident, including:

• Who directly caused the accident
• Whether any person or institution indirectly contributed to the accident
• Who must cover the financial cost of the accident

Insurance companies are often responsible for the cost of a cyclist’s accident-related injuries. If you file any insurance claims, your attorney will demand that liable insurers pay you fairly. That being said, you might also consider suing those who directly caused the accident, and this can include:

• A municipality: Road hazards often fall under the responsibility of a municipality. Your attorney will determine whether any local, state, or federal bodies should have identified and remedied the road hazard that caused you to crash. Lawsuits against governmental entities often have shortened filing deadlines, so do not wait to speak with a bike accident attorney.
• A private company for a hazard: If a private construction company or any other private institution caused, failed to prevent, or failed to address the hazard that caused your collision, that private organization may be responsible for your medical costs and other accident-related damages.
• A private landowner: If your collision happened on private land that the owner neglected, that property owner can be named as a defendant in a lawsuit. You might also (or instead) seek compensation from that property owner’s insurance provider.
• An individual who created the hazard: If any individual intentionally or unintentionally created a hazard that contributed to your accident, that individual (or their insurer) may be liable for your damages. For example, if the driver of a U-Haul truck failed to secure cargo, and that cargo created a hazard in your way while riding, the driver of that vehicle could be responsible for your losses.

These are the kinds of concerns that bike accident lawyers consider daily. Your attorney will rely on facts, evidence, and your account of the collision to determine who should pay for your collision-related damages.

Every Injured Bicyclist Should Call Attorneys Right Away (and Hire the Most Qualified One)

Don’t wait to find the attorney who:

• Has a history of helping injured cyclists secure fair settlements and verdicts
• Has received rave reviews from former clients (and, specifically, cyclists)
• Produces case results that impress you
• Leaves a lasting impression after you consult with them
• You believe is the best fit for your case, your personality, and your goals

Hiring a lawyer is a step that every injured cyclist should take because:

• You don’t have to pick between your health and your case: If you’re like most people, your time was already precious before you were in a bike accident. Now that you’re dealing with physical injury (and likely pain and suffering, too), your time is likely even more scarce. You don’t have to choose to spend your limited time on your case or recovery. Let a lawyer handle your case so you can focus on healing.
• Liable parties may be on the attack: Liable parties may approach you to make statements, accept settlement offers, and potentially even drop your case. See these attempts for what they are: Attempts by liable parties to avoid paying the full cost of your damages. Hire your bike accident attorney right away so they can protect you.
• Experience will give your lawyer a steady hand (and sound advice): Confidence and certainty are immensely valuable in bike accident cases. Insurance companies and other liable parties are likely to fight your case, and your lawyer’s experience will give them a steady hand and a strong voice even when liable parties are fighting their hardest.
• You don’t know where your case can lead: You may need to file a lawsuit. You might even need to take a powerful defendant, such as a municipality, to trial. Hiring a lawyer prepares you for whatever comes.

You should also hire a bike accident attorney if you lose a loved one from injuries they suffered in a fatal collision. Whether you suffered an injury or mourning a loved one’s loss, you will need ample time to focus on recovery. Your lawyer and their team will have the time to complete your case.

Because Riders Are at Extreme Risk of Injury, Your Case May Have a High Value

You may have damages with a cost that far exceeds the typical case. This is fair to say because bike riders are directly exposed to oncoming vehicles and other elements they might contact during a collision.

Your bike accident attorney will document all damages resulting from your crash, which may include:

Disabling Injuries

An injury that substantially inhibits your ability to live your life normally can be disabling. Such conditions may:

• Require you to hire a full- or part-time caregiver
• Prevent you from working
• Limit your earning power
• Require you to purchase medical equipment
• Cause severe pain and suffering

A disabling injury is even more reason to let an attorney represent you. The stakes of your case can be even higher, and an attorney will demand justice for you.

Medical Costs

Your bike accident lawyer and their team will use medical records and bills, images of injuries, and possibly expert testimony to document your recoverable medical costs.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering start the moment you’re in a bike crash and may continue well after. Your attorney will pursue compensation for any:

• Acute pain
• Chronic pain
• Emotional anguish
• Psychological distress
• Other forms of pain and suffering related to the accident

Bike accident attorneys often hire mental health professionals to document their clients’ pain and suffering.

Lost Earnings and Diminished Earning Power

If you are suffering the anguish of a wrongful death, your lawyer will document both the economic and non-economic harm a sudden passing causes. They will demand justice for you and all others affected by the wrongful death.

Heal, Your Lawyer Will Build Your Case

Hire your bicycle collision lawyer today. Heal. They will build your case and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.