Arkansas Bike Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a reckless driver, you need an attorney who will stand up for your rights. When the unthinkable happens, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. at (479) 888-5098 for experienced and compassionate legal assistance with your bike accident claim.
Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable
Riding a bike should not put your life at risk, but Arkansas roads put cyclists in real danger every day. Drivers misjudge distances, fail to check mirrors, or simply do not expect to see a cyclist sharing the road.
Cyclists should not fear for their lives due to a driver’s carelessness. When a driver causes an accident because they are not paying attention, they can and should be held accountable.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we help injured cyclists in Arkansas hold negligent drivers accountable. Here is what you need to know if a car has hit you while riding. Let an Arkansas bicycle accident lawyer handle the rigorous process of filing a claim so that you can focus on recovering physically.
Arkansas ranks 39th out of 50 states in the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024 Bicycle Friendly State rankings, underscoring inadequate safety conditions.
Arkansas law gives cyclists the same rights as drivers
Bicycles count as vehicles under Arkansas law. AR Code § 27-51-1802 (2024)
gives cyclists the same rights and duties as anyone driving a vehicle on a public highway, except for provisions that by their nature cannot apply to bicycles.
This means cyclists can use public roads, and drivers must treat them with the same respect they give other vehicles. It also means cyclists must follow traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and stop signs.
Many drivers do not realize this rule exists. Some believe cyclists belong only on sidewalks or bike paths, even where no such path exists. That misunderstanding leads to dangerous close calls and serious crashes.
Because cyclists have a legal right to the road, a driver who hits a cyclist cannot simply argue the cyclist should not have been there. Courts look at whether the cyclist followed the rules of the road just as they would with any other driver.
This legal standing matters greatly when we build your case. It establishes that you had every right to be exactly where you were when the crash happened. From there, the focus shifts to what the driver did wrong, whether that means failing to yield, running a light, or simply not paying attention.
Understanding your rights as a cyclist is the first step toward understanding why the crash was not your fault. The next question becomes how the driver failed to respect the space and safety that Arkansas law requires them to give you.
Arkansas's safe passing law requires drivers to give cyclists room
Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-51-311 requires drivers to leave a safe distance when passing a cyclist. This is often called the three-foot passing law.
Drivers must move into another lane when possible or leave at least three feet of space between their vehicle and the cyclist. This buffer exists because even a small misjudgment at speed can cause a fatal collision.
We use traffic laws to build strong liability arguments.
Failing to give cyclists enough room is not just dangerous; it is illegal. When a driver passes too closely and clips a cyclist or forces them off the road, that violation becomes strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Many close-pass crashes happen on rural highways with narrow shoulders. Drivers get impatient behind a cyclist and try to squeeze by without slowing down or changing lanes.
Wind turbulence from a passing vehicle can also destabilize a cyclist even without direct contact. If that turbulence causes a fall and injury, the passing distance the driver left becomes a central issue in the case.
We use traffic laws like this one to build strong liability arguments. When a driver breaks a specific statute designed to protect cyclists, that violation helps prove they acted unreasonably and caused your injuries.
Common causes of bicycle accidents in Arkansas
Identifying the specific cause of your crash helps determine who bears legal responsibility. Each of these scenarios points toward driver negligence, and each requires different evidence to prove.
Distracted driving
Failure to yield
Dooring accidents
Poor road conditions
Speeding
Passing too closely
Distracted driving causes a huge share of bicycle accidents statewide
A driver glancing at a phone for two seconds can travel the length of a football field without watching the road.
Failure to yield is another leading cause. Drivers turning left across a cyclist's path, or pulling out of a driveway without checking properly, cause frequent and severe crashes. Dooring accidents happen when a parked driver opens a car door directly into a cyclist's path. These crashes often occur so fast the cyclist has no time to react.
Poor road conditions contribute too. Potholes, debris, and narrow shoulders force cyclists into traffic lanes, increasing the risk of collisions with passing vehicles. Low visibility contributes to many nighttime crashes. Drivers may not see cyclists without reflective gear or proper bike lighting, especially on rural roads without street lights.
Speeding reduces a driver's reaction time and increases crash severity. A driver going even ten miles over the limit may not stop in time to avoid a cyclist entering an intersection.
What is comparative fault?
Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-64-122 establishes a modified comparative fault rule for personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. Insurance companies often try to argue that cyclists caused their own accidents. They may claim you were not visible enough, rode outside a bike lane, or violated a traffic law yourself.
Arkansas comparative fault rules
Under this law, you can recover compensation even if you share some fault for the crash, as long as your fault stays below 50 percent. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If a jury finds you 50 percent or more responsible, Arkansas law bars you from recovering anything. This is why it is important to have a team on your side investigating your case.
Fighting Insurance Companies
Documentation matters a lot after a bicycle crash. Photos of the scene, witness statements, and police reports help establish what actually happened rather than letting an insurance adjuster write the story.
We push back against unfair fault allocations by gathering strong evidence early. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your right to full and fair compensation.
Three possibilities for fault:
- The driver was 100% at fault
- You were 100% at fault
- Everyone involved was partially at fault
Determining Fault
Your compensation may be affected by fault determination. While a driver is usually at fault for a bicycle accident, he or she may not be fully responsible. Arkansas law allows accident victims to recover damages when they can prove that the other party was more than 50 percent responsible for causing the accident.
Are there special insurance considerations after a bicycle accident?
Bicycle accident claims often involve unique insurance questions compared to typical car accident cases. Arkansas allows cyclists injured by a motor vehicle to file a claim against the driver's liability insurance, since bikes count as vehicles under state law.
If the driver lacks insurance or does not carry enough coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply, even though you were riding a bike rather than driving. Homeowners or renters insurance may provide additional coverage for medical expenses after a bicycle accident, depending on the policy's terms.
Untangling which policies apply and in what order requires careful review. Insurance companies rarely volunteer this information, and cyclists often assume no coverage applies to them since they were not in a car. We review every possible insurance angle in your case to identify all available sources of compensation. Missing a coverage source can mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
What to do after an Arkansas bike accident
Call 911 immediately after any bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle. Arkansas law requires drivers to report accidents involving injury or significant damage.
Document Everything
Photograph everything at the scene, including your bike, your injuries, the vehicle involved, and the surrounding road conditions. Get witness contact information if available. Evidence often disappears quickly once vehicles move and traffic resumes.
See a doctor
Seek medical attention even if you feel okay at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from serious injuries like concussions, fractures, or internal bleeding.
Do not admit fault
Do not discuss fault with the driver or their insurance company at the scene. Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters often ask leading questions designed to shift blame onto you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experience. Dedication. Compassion.
30 years of legal experience in helping personal injury victims
Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. as soon as possible after your accident. We handle communication with insurance companies, gather evidence while it is fresh, and fight to get you full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Your consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Call us today at (479) 888-5098 to schedule your free consultation. If you are unable to come to our office due to your injuries, we will come to you.