Traffic rules help define what the driver should have done before the crash. A driver approaching a bike lane, intersection, curbside stop, driveway, or shared lane must account for cyclists already using the roadway. Bicycle accident attorneys in California compare the driver’s movement with the rules that applied at that location, including yielding, turning, passing, stopping, and safe lane movement. This review matters when an insurer treats the cyclist as secondary to vehicle traffic. The driver’s duty begins before impact, not after the rider is already in danger.
Right-of-Way Before Impact
Right-of-way analysis places each person’s movement in order before the crash. A cyclist traveling lawfully through a lane, bike path, intersection, or crossing area has traffic rights that deserve full consideration. The driver’s failure to yield becomes important when the vehicle enters the rider’s path first.
Turning and Passing Duties
Turning and passing duties require drivers to check their surroundings before moving across or beside bicycle traffic. A driver who rushes a turn or squeezes past a rider creates danger through poor spacing and timing. These duties help explain why the driver’s movement caused the collision.

