Bicycling is becoming more popular in the Indianapolis region. Organizations such as Indianapolis Bicycle Advocacy and Bicycle Indiana provide resources to the many riders and enthusiasts in the region. Indianapolis is even home to a bikeshare program which allows riders in the downtown area to rent a bike for a short period of time and return it to any of their convenient stations.

Despite safety improvements, bicycle accidents are common in Indianapolis

According to Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, in 2012, 726 lost their lives in bicycle/motor vehicle crashes nationally, just under two people every day of the year in the U.S. The death rate from bicycle crashes is high due to the relative lack of protection bicyclists have in an impact with a motor vehicle.

Bicycling Laws in Indianapolis

Indianapolis traffic-safety laws are designed to allow bicyclists to share the road safely with motor vehicles in an increasingly crowded space.

According to the State of Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles:

• When bicycles are ridden with other traffic, cyclists must obey the same rules and regulations as motor vehicles.
• At intersections, motorists must yield to cyclists as they would for other vehicles and pedestrians.
• When passing a cyclist, motorists must move into an adjacent lane to the left if possible. If not, the motorist must pass with at least 3 feet of clearance.
• Motorists must yield the right-of-way to a cyclist on a bicycle path or in a bike lane.
• Motorists may not stop, park or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane unless they are entering or leaving an alley or driveway, performing official duties, directed by a police officer, or in an emergency situation.
• A cyclist is required to ride on the right side of the roadway.
• A bicycle must be equipped with a white lamp in the front, visible from at least 500 feet.

Get information on bicycle crashes from the Police Departments in the Indianapolis region

The Indianapolis Police Department offers information on accidents, and also provides information on filing a police report and on obtaining a police report.

Indianapolis bicycle crashes have common causes and deadly outcomes

While helmets and proper reflective gear make bicycling safer, riding a bicycle is riskier than driving a car. Maintaining control is more difficult on two wheels, and when collisions happen, bicyclists are at greater risk of serious injury or death because they don't have an enclosed vehicle for protection.

Common causes of bicycle crashes include:

• Motorist turning across path of cyclist;
• Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle;
• Cyclist turning right from a major road and from a minor road;
• Child cyclist playing or riding too fast.

When someone is injured in an Indianapolis bicycle accident, what needs to happen next?

In an injury bike crash, it is crucial to get appropriate medical treatment, regardless of the financial cost. The major hospitals in the area include:

• Methodist Hospital;
• St. Vincent Health;
• Riley Hospital for Children;
• Kindred Hospital Indianapolis;
• Community Hospital.

As soon as possible, an injured person should contact their insurance company to find out how medical treatment is covered under their insurance policy. Since insurance policies often have unique provisions to deal with bicycle-accident injuries, it is important to review the policy and speak with the insurance adjuster to get clarification on coverage.

When someone is seriously injured or killed in a bicycle accident, there is typically another vehicle involved, and the injuries can be serious or even fatal. Learn more at the links below about how bicycle accidents and injuries can relae to:

• Indianapolis car accidents;
• Indianapolis pedestrian accidents;
• Indianapolis motorcycle accidents;
• Indianapolis commercial truck accidents;
• Indianapolis taxi and Uber/Lyft accidents;
• Indianapolis delivery truck accidents;
• Indianapolis drunk driving accidents;
• Indianapolis distracted driving accidents;
• Indianapolis rear-end accidents;
• Indianapolis T-bone accidents;
• Indianapolis intersection accidents;
• Indianapolis multi-vehicle accidents;
• Indianapolis moped accidents;
• Indianapolis aggressive driving accidents;
• Indianapolis hit-and-run accidents;
• Indianapolis uninsured driver accidents;
• Indianapolis head-on collisions;
• Indianapolis garbage truck accidents;
• Indianapolis partial fault accidents;
• Indianapolis wrongful death claims;
• Indianapolis spinal cord injuries;
• Indianapolis soft tissue injuries;
• Indianapolis brain injuries.

When a bicycle collision is serious or fatal, it is important to find an Indianapolis bike accident attorney

When a bicycle accident, caused by the negligence of a motorist, results in serious injury or death, the next step is to find an experienced Indianapolis attorney to start the financial recovery process by launching an insurance claim. Major injury or wrongful death claims are complicated and can be hard to manage without legal help. Having an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer on board is a great relief to injured bicyclists, or to the family left behind when an accident proves fatal.

Since most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency basis, meaning that there are no up-front costs and all fees are paid when the claim is settled, there is no downside to speaking with an injury attorney right away, to get help for an injured bicyclist.