Factors That Can Suggest You Were Driving Safely In The Rain During A Bicycle Accident

Posted on: 5 August 2019

The weather can be a factor in a many collisions between automobiles, but it can also play a role when a car and a bicyclist have an incident. If you were riding your bike on a rainy day and a vehicle hit you, it's possible that you could sustain serious injuries. Consulting an accident attorney who has experience with bike accidents will help you to understand if you have grounds for a suit against the driver. Given that the rain was a factor in your situation, you'll want to prove that you were cycling in a safe manner. Here's how.

You Had Appropriate Tires

Slick tires can prevent cyclists from stopping in a reasonable distance and from controlling their bikes, so you'll want to prove that the tires on your bicycle were appropriate for the conditions. Otherwise, the driver's attorney might say that you should accept some blame for the accident because you couldn't control your bike properly. Photos that show the bike's tires can be effective. For example, if the treads are pronounced, rather that smooth, this will suggest that they were adequate for the conditions.

Your Attire Was Visible

Rain can reduce visibility, which can make it hazardous to share the road with vehicles when you're on your bicycle — even if you have a lawful right to be there. The other party could argue that you were wearing clothing that made you difficult to see. A gray windbreaker, for example, could definitely be difficult to pick up during a heavy rainfall. You'll want to have photos or physical proof of what you were wearing. For example, photos of the brightly colored jacket with reflective panels will show that you would have been visible.

You Didn't Have Your Hood Up

A hood can be tempting to wear when you're bicycling in the rain in an effort to keep your face dry, but the big problem associated with it is that it can reduce your visibility. It's ideal if you can prove that you didn't have your hood up during the accident — meaning that you had your full peripheral vision. This will prevent the other side from being able to successfully argue that you perhaps turned in the direction of the vehicle that hit you because you didn't see it. If you were wearing an action camera at the time of the accident or were caught on surveillance cameras from a building at the scene, this can prove that your hood was down.

For more information, contact a bicycle accident lawyer in your area.

Share