What Is a Right-Hook Accident?
Bicyclists in Massachusetts have to deal with a large number of accident risks every time they’re on the road. One is the risk of a right-hook accident, which can happen when a bicyclist is traveling in the same direction as a motor vehicle. Right-hook accidents are often preventable with due care and proper attention by motor vehicle drivers. If you get injured in a right-hook accident in Massachusetts, discuss your legal options with an attorney.
The Mechanics of a Right-Hook Accident
A right-hook accident describes a specific type of bicycle-vehicle collision. It happens when a motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling in the same direction, with the biker to the right of the motorist. If the driver of the car passes the bicyclist and then turns right, he or she could strike the cyclist from the side or force the cyclist to run head-on into the vehicle. These are referred to as right-hook accidents.
A right-hook accident could be severe or fatal for a bicyclist. When a vehicle and a bicycle collide in any manner, the bicyclist can suffer injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, a concussion, facial injuries, road rash, muscle injuries and spinal cord injuries. It is important for an injured bicyclist in Massachusetts to seek justice and fair compensation for a right-hook accident from an at-fault driver, as a settlement may be necessary to pay for medical care.
Why Might a Right-Hook Accident Happen?
A driver often has the power to prevent a right-hook accident. A driver should always remain alert and be on the lookout for bicyclists, especially before switching lanes or making a turn. If a motorist is attempting to turn right, he or she should first look for oncoming bicyclists or bicycles in the blind spot. The driver should signal his or her intent to turn and wait for an oncoming biker to safely pass or stop before executing the turn. Some mistakes that a driver could make that can cause a right-hook accident are:
- Passing a cyclist and then immediately turning right
- Turning right when a light turns green without waiting for a cyclist to pass
- Sharing a lane two-abreast with a cyclist
- Misjudging the speed of an oncoming bicyclist
- Miscalculating the distance between the two vehicles
- Driving distracted so the driver doesn’t notice he or she passed a bicycle
There are also things that a bicyclist can do to reduce the risk of a right-hook accident. If there is no bicycle lane, riding in the center of the road can make it more difficult for a vehicle to turn right on top of the biker. If a bicyclist needs to pass a motor vehicle, it should not do so to the right. If a car slows down in anticipation of a turn, the bicyclist should also slow down rather than choosing to pass the car. When possible, a bicyclist should ride behind a motor vehicle, not to the right.
Who Is Responsible for a Right-Hook Accident in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that after a bicycle accident, the injured cyclist will turn to his or her own auto insurance carrier for coverage first, regardless of fault. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will pay for the bicyclist’s medical bills and 70 percent of his or her lost wages from the inability to work. If the cyclist suffered severe injuries, broken bones, permanent disfigurement or more than $2,000 in necessary medical care, he or she may be able to file a third-party claim against the driver’s insurance company, instead.
Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer in Lowell
Automobile insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid large payouts. After a right-hook accident, an insurer may fight liability, even if the bicyclist was using a bicycle lane at the time. You may need an attorney’s assistance negotiating for fair financial compensation. Contact a car accident lawyer at Merrimack Valley Injury Lawyers to learn more.