By Neil Kopitsky, Racing Cyclist and Injury Attorney

When you're injured in a cycling accident, having an attorney who truly understands cycling can make the difference between winning and losing your case. Let me share a real case that perfectly illustrates why cycling knowledge matters in the courtroom.

The Accident: A Classic Left-Turn Collision

My client was riding straight down a road when a car made a left turn directly in front of him. This is one of the most common—and dangerous—types of cycling accidents. The physics are simple: the cyclist has the right of way, the car fails to yield, and the result is often catastrophic for the rider.

But in this case, the driver had a very different story.

The Driver's Defense: "The Cyclist Turned Into Me"

At her deposition, the other driver was adamant about her version of events. She claimed that she had already completed her turn and was driving toward the cyclist when he turned into her vehicle.

This defense might sound plausible to someone unfamiliar with cycling, but as both a cyclist and an attorney, I knew exactly where to take my questioning.

The Critical Cross-Examination

Here's how the key exchange went:

Me: "You said you saw him steer into you?"

Driver: "Yes."

Me: "Did you actually see him turn the handlebars?"

Driver: "Yes."

Me: "Did you see the cyclist lean either to the left or to the right?"

Driver: "No."

Me: "Did it look like he lost control?"

Driver: "No. He just steered the handlebars into your lane and crashed into your van."

The driver had also testified that my client was traveling "well over 20 miles an hour." And that's where her story completely fell apart.

The Physics Don't Lie

Here's what any experienced cyclist knows, but most attorneys—and insurance companies—don't: It's physically impossible to steer a bicycle without leaning at speeds over 20 mph.

At that speed, a bike is controlled primarily through counter-steering and body lean, not simply turning the handlebars. If a cyclist tried to make a sharp turn at 20+ mph by just cranking the handlebars without leaning, they would immediately crash—but not into the side of a car. They'd go down right where they were.

The driver's testimony revealed what actually happened: she saw my client approaching, tried to "beat" him through the intersection by completing her left turn quickly, and misjudged his speed and distance. This is textbook negligence in a left-turn collision.

The Resolution

After the deposition, I explained the cycling dynamics to the opposing attorneys. Once they understood the physics involved, they realized their client's story was impossible. They essentially conceded liability, and we were able to resolve the case favorably for my client.

Why Cycling Knowledge Matters in Legal Cases

This case demonstrates several crucial points:

Understanding Bike Physics

• How bikes actually steer and turn at different speeds
• The role of counter-teering in bicycle control
• What bike handling looks like vs. what it doesn't

Recognizing Common Accident Patterns

• Left-turn collisions and typical fault scenarios
• Driver behavior patterns (the "beat the cyclist" mentality)
• How drivers often misperceive cyclist speed and distance

Effective Cross-Examination

• Knowing which questions expose inconsistencies in driver testimony
• Understanding what details matter in cycling accident reconstruction
• Recognizing when physics contradicts witness statements

Case Strategy

• How to use cycling expertise to build stronger arguments
• When technical knowledge can shift liability discussions
• Why detailed depositions matter in cycling cases

The Broader Impact

If this case had been handled by an attorney without cycling knowledge, several things might have happened:

• The driver's story might have gone unchallenged
• The physics of bicycle control might never have been explained
• The case could have dragged on much longer
• The settlement might have been significantly lower
• Fault might have been disputed or shared

Instead, understanding how bicycles actually work allowed us to expose the impossibility of the driver's claims and resolve the case efficiently.

What This Means for Injured Cyclists

When you're choosing legal representation after a cycling accident, consider these factors:

Ask about cycling experience: Does your attorney ride? Do they understand bike handling, gear, and road dynamics?

Look for technical knowledge: Can they explain counter-steering, discuss cycling speeds, or understand equipment failures?

Check their case history: Have they successfully handled cycling cases? Do they understand the unique challenges cyclists face?

Consider their passion: Do they advocate for cycling safety beyond just legal representation?

The Bottom Line

Cycling accidents involve unique technical, physical, and legal considerations that generic personal injury attorneys may miss. When your case depends on understanding how bikes actually work—not how people think they work—having a cycling attorney can make all the difference.

In this case, knowing that bikes can't steer without leaning at 20+ mph turned a disputed liability case into a clear-cut negligence claim. That's the power of combining legal expertise with real-world cycling knowledge.

Neil Kopitsky has been a racing cyclist since 1986 and has represented injured cyclists in Georgia since 1995. For questions about cycling accident cases, call 404-892-0011.

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