Who Has the Right of Way: Bicyclist or a Motorist?

Since the law never truly grants the right of way to anyone on the road, it is important to grasp this concept, especially if you are riding a New York City bicycle. New York law simply states when a motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian must yield the right of way. Failure to yield the right way can lead to serious accidents with devastating injuries.

Does the Law Give Right of Way To One Over the Other?

While the law does not necessarily give the right of way to anyone, it does state who must yield or give up the right of way. When you yield the right of way, you are permitting another motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian to go before you in a specific traffic situation. In order to avoid collisions, all parties on the road must know when they need to yield the right of way.

ny-bike-safety-bike-lane

Generally speaking, yielding the right of way depends on the specific situation and whether the individual is traveling on foot, on bike or in a vehicle. New York City bicycle riders are subject to the same rules and regulations as other motorists on the road. As such, both motorists and cyclists must obey the rules of the road equally, including yielding the right-of-the-way when the law requires it. If either a motorist or a cyclist fails to obey the laws of the road, they will be subject to a moving violation.

Injured on a Bike? Call an Experienced Attorney Today!

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another party, call the New York City bicycle lawyers at Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. as you may be entitled to compensation.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call us at 212-584-2494.

Contact Us

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *