Bike Accidents in Eugene, Oregon

A bicyclist in Oregon should know that the law treats the bicycle as another vehicle on the road. This means that a bicycle rider has the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of automobiles. Some responsibilities of bicyclists are:

• After dark the person must have a front bright light and a rear reflector.
• Bicyclist must ride with the flow of traffic in a bike lane if there is one.
• If the bicyclist is 16 years old or younger, they must wear a helmet while riding.
• A person on a bike must be visible at all times and ride attentively.

In Eugene, Oregon you may ride your bike responsibly on the sidewalk unless you are in the downtown area or in a parking garage. The bicyclist should always try to make sure that drivers of cars see them at all times. Many bike accidents can be prevented if the bike rider follows the rules of the road regarding turning or stopping. Wearing a helmet at all times is a good rule also, helmets protect the head against severe injures should you get in a bike accident.

If you get in an accident with an automobile you must call the police, get the driver’s information (insurance, contact information etc.) and file a traffic accident report within 72 hours.  You should also get witness testimonies and take pictures of the bike accident. If you are riding your bike and cause over $1,500 in property damage, an accident report must also be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles.