Councimember David Grosso just introduced the “Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Amendment Act of 2014.” Grosso writes:
This bill would make it easier for cyclists to get compensation for damage sustained in accidents with cars, by ending the legal use of contributory negligence in automobile-bicycle collisions.
Wow. That would be an enormous improvement. WABA, and Shane Farthing in particular, have been working this issue pretty hard for the last few years, and it would be a real victory to see the law improved in this way.
More from WABA
This would be excellent!
Posted by: Anon | July 29, 2014 at 03:57 PM
This law is great news.
As for those bikes,is that a spam post? I saw this 'competition' awhile back,but after seeing these bikes,I'm not even going to bother voting. They're not real commuters,they're art projects. And what's up with them picking a team from Portland and not one from DC? They don't have real commuters in Portland;it's flatter,has milder weather(and no real snow),and the drivers aren't anywhere near as bad as ours.
Posted by: dynaryder | July 29, 2014 at 05:07 PM
yeah, a little spammy.
Posted by: washcycle | July 29, 2014 at 05:14 PM
If MD residents could give campaign contributions to DC council members, I would write a check now.
Posted by: SJE | July 29, 2014 at 05:18 PM
Speaking from personal experience insurance companies are VERY aware of the contributory laws when handling auto-bicycle crashes!
Posted by: jeffb | July 29, 2014 at 05:37 PM
I guess this is the best we can hope for now...but it would be so great to live in a society where the bigger/more dangerous vehicle is always at fault under the law. It makes their drivers behave better. Like in Japan...
Posted by: NotContributing | July 29, 2014 at 07:00 PM
jeffb - can you email me at [email protected]? We're looking for potential witnesses to testify at the DC Council hearing on the bill.
If people know others who have been negatively effected by contributory negligence, please have them get in contact with us. They can sign-up here: http://www.waba.org/advocacy/campaigns/dc-contributory-negligence/
Thanks,
Greg
WABA Advocacy Coordinator
Posted by: Greg B | July 30, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Sorry -- wasn't trying to spam. Just thought the bikes were of interest to this crew, and didn't see anywhere outside of the comment section to share them.
Posted by: Anon | July 31, 2014 at 02:07 PM
You can always send emails to me at [email protected]
Posted by: washcycle | July 31, 2014 at 02:14 PM