In cities across the country, bike lanes have become part of a broader strategy to prevent serious crashes. Studies show that separate lanes reduce vehicle-bike accidents by up to 53%, offering a safer path for cyclists and clearer boundaries for drivers.

Even when bike lanes exist, crashes can still happen, and when they do, whether a bike lane was present (or not) can become a crucial part of your legal case.

It can help determine who was at fault, whether the cyclist had a safe path, and if a driver or the city failed in their responsibility. It often reveals clear signs of driver negligence or unsafe infrastructure contributing to the crash.

Discover how bike lanes can affect your injury claim and what our experienced Michigan bicycle accident attorneys at Fieger Law look for to help you pursue full and fair compensation.

Bike Lanes Can Change the Direction of a Legal Case

Bike lanes give cyclists a much-needed buffer from fast-moving cars. But when that space doesn’t exist or gets ignored, it can play a role in your case.

Here’s how attorneys might use bike lane conditions to your advantage:

  • Demonstrate that the cyclist was forced into dangerous traffic due to missing or inadequate bike lanes.
  • Prove the driver crossed into a designated bike lane or ignored marked boundaries.
  • Expose failures by the city to provide safe and appropriate infrastructure for cyclists.

When poor bike infrastructure contributes to a crash, it can show clear liability and support a negligence claim. At Fieger Law, we investigate every detail to prove what happened and who should be held accountable.

What Determines Fault in a Bicycle Accident?

To prove fault, attorneys look at how the crash unfolded and whether everyone involved followed traffic laws and acted with reasonable care. Bike lanes can help clarify the following details, showing who is at fault:

  • Driver Negligence: Drivers are expected to watch for cyclists, especially near intersections and turns. When someone cuts across a bike lane, crowds a rider, or fails to yield, that behavior often violates traffic laws and shows driver negligence.
  • Road Design: When there is no bike lane, cyclists can use the regular road. If a part of the road is damaged or unsafe, like a large pothole or broken pavement, the city might be responsible for not keeping it in good condition.
  • Local Laws: In many places, drivers must leave a 3- to 5-foot buffer when passing a cyclist. A marked bike lane helps make those boundaries clear, and if a driver crossed into that space before the crash, it can be strong evidence of a violation.
  • Cyclist Conduct: Cyclists are also expected to follow traffic laws, use signals, and stay within designated lanes when available. If a cyclist was distracted, ran a red light, or rode against traffic, that could factor into shared fault.

Fieger Law reviews all contributing factors to determine who was at fault and how bike lanes may support your case.

Why Evidence About the Road Matters

After a crash, photos of the roadway can reveal whether a bike lane was present and clearly marked or if the cyclist had any safe alternatives. Video footage and witness statements can also help identify exactly what happened and how quickly events unfolded.

Here’s what can help strengthen your claim:

  • Photos of lane markings, road conditions, or debris
  • Crash reports that note road layout or violations
  • Dash cam or surveillance footage
  • Witness statements describing vehicle movement or unsafe driving

These details help attorneys build a clear timeline, establish liability, and defend cyclists from unfair blame. At Fieger Law, our experienced team partners with investigators and industry experts to uncover the truth and prove exactly how the crash occurred and who’s responsible.

How Fieger Law Can Help

Unclear road design and traffic law violations can all factor into who’s at fault. At Fieger Law, we’re prepared to fight for the full financial support you deserve.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Assessing how your injuries affect your daily life, income, and long-term mobility.
  • Working with bike safety experts to explain exactly how the crash occurred.
  • Challenging insurance companies that try to shift blame without evidence.
  • Investigating whether poor city planning or missing bike lanes played a role.
  • Preparing every case as if it’s going to trial right from the start.

We leave no detail unchecked, push back against bad faith tactics, and build a case that captures the true impact of your injuries.

Get Qualified Legal Support for Your Bicycle Accident Case

A serious crash can change everything: your routine, health, and ability to ride again. When the road isn’t safe or a driver ignores traffic rules, it shouldn’t be the cyclist who pays the price.

At Fieger Law, we don’t just look at the crash; we look at how it changed your life. Whether it’s pain, lost income, or the freedom to ride again, we fight to hold drivers and cities accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Your story matters, and we build every case to reflect that.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Get answers, take control, and pursue your claim with a team that knows how to win.