Menu

Are You Aware of DC's Hazardous Bike Intersections?

Dangers DC Cyclists Face Every Day

Biking appeals to people for various reasons: physical exercise, recreation, conservation efforts, and money savings. Washington, DC, prides itself on an excellent bicycling culture among its historic and modern architecture, yet some notorious intersections pose significant danger. Notably, New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, 14th Street and U Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street stand out as hotspots for bicycle-related accidents. While avoiding these intersections may not always be possible, knowing where DC’s most dangerous intersections for bicyclists lie can help ensure you remain safe and give insight into what steps should be taken when an accident happens.

Bicyclists and motorists share DC’s roads, and while most drivers aren’t intentionally causing bike accidents, when one does occur, the cyclist is entitled to financial compensation to help cover medical costs and other damages. Regan Zambri Long’s DC bike accident lawyers can help you navigate your claim if you or your loved one have been injured on DC’s streets.

Contact Us Today to Schedule
a Free Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

5 stars

Cycling in DC: Practical or Problematic?

Cycling in Washington, DC, can be like riding between two worlds: on the one hand, it’s celebrated for its bike-friendly infrastructure and enthusiastic cycling community, but on the other, it presents riders with many risks every day as the city is filled with tourists and locals creating a challenging landscape for cyclists to negotiate.

Are You Aware of DC's Hazardous Bike Intersections?Recent data for the district paints an alarming picture of biking in Washington, DC. The District Department of Transportation reports an average of 334 bicyclist accidents annually. DC’s Vision Zero yearly crash data reported 312 injured cyclists and two bike-related deaths as of November 2023.

Daily, as a cyclist, you face many risks, including dooring incidents in narrow lanes and collisions at busy intersections. While you can remain proactive about safety measures and strategies, you cannot control other motorists’ actions on the roads. This is why you must know where to turn in the event of an accident. An experienced DC bike accident lawyer will guide you through your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Washington, DC’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Bicyclists

Like most urban cities, Washington, DC, has its share of dangerous intersections. While no intersection can be safe for all users, some intersections are more risky for the city’s cyclists. These include:

  • New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, long recognized for its heavy traffic flow and confusing signaling systems. 
  • 14th Street and U Street.  14th Street has experienced upward of a dozen bike accidents throughout the year.
  • Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street.

It’s impossible to avoid all the dangerous intersections in DC, and many other intersections throughout the city experience bike accidents annually. However, knowing some of the city’s hotspots can prepare you for legal action in an intersection accident.

Common Causes of Bike Intersection Accidents

Bike intersection accidents have many different causes, including: 

  • Driver inattention: drivers frequently overlook cyclists, especially in areas with heavy traffic.
  • Traffic violations: cyclists and drivers can be at fault for violating traffic laws, including running red lights or failing to signal turns.
  • Complex intersections: multiple lanes and signal phases at intersections can confuse both cyclists and drivers.
  • Poor visibility: bicyclists are at increased risk at intersections with poor lighting or obstructed views.
  • Road conditions: potholes, uneven surfaces, and road construction are dangerous to cyclists, especially when they force riders and drivers to share the road more closely.

Cyclists and motorists need to understand these factors, as they will play an essential role in determining liability in the event of an accident. A DC bike intersection accident lawyer will review your case and help determine who is liable for your bike accident injuries.

Legal Protections for DC Cyclists

Bike Accident lawyersIn Washington, DC, cyclists are protected under the law. Road use rights laws recognize cyclists as vehicles, granting them equal treatment with motor vehicles when it comes to road use. This includes being given full lanes when needed to ensure safety. DC also requires drivers to maintain at least a three-foot safe passing distance from cyclists.

Unfortunately, accidents still happen, and bicyclists should seek legal guidance from an experienced bike accident lawyer. Specializing in cases involving bicycle-related collisions at intersections, these lawyers possess expertise in representing cyclists before insurance companies and courts, helping ensure fair compensation and justice for cyclists involved are received as soon as possible.

Regan Zambri Long Can Help with Your DC Bike Intersection Accident

When facing the aftermath of a bike intersection accident in Washington, DC, Regan Zambri Long can provide hope and guidance. We have spent over 30 years advocating for injury victims throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  Our attorneys bring decades of experience and a track record of success into every case they handle.

Regan Zambri Long’s commitment to personal injury law extends far beyond legal representation; we pride ourselves on developing close relationships with each client and understanding how an accident affects  them and their loved ones. Our resources, knowledge, and skills ensure every case receives our complete attention and consideration.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a bike accident in DC, contact Regan Zambri Long today for a complimentary case evaluation. Let us lead the way through this difficult period and secure the fair compensation and justice you deserve

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

  • Please do not send any confidential or sensitive information in this form. This form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Back to Top