Bicycle Accidents on the Jones Falls Trail

If you live in Baltimore and spend any time hiking or biking, you’re probably familiar with the Jones Falls Trail. The Jones Falls Trail is a prime location for cycling, running, jogging and more. Stretching more than ten miles through parks, urban neighborhoods and waterfront areas, the Jones Falls Trail is both a scenic escape and a popular commuter path for local residents and out-of-town visitors alike.

Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for accidents to occur along the trail. If you’ve been injured in a bike crash on or near the Jones Falls Trail, it’s vital that you take steps to understand all the rights afforded to you under Maryland law. Let’s take a closer look at some key legal considerations for injured cyclists looking to pursue compensation and explore how an experienced personal injury attorney can help accident victims hold the right people accountable for their negligence.

What causes bicycle accidents on the Jones Falls Trails?

Although the trail itself is intended to be a safe, car-free space for cyclists and pedestrians, many sections of the Jones Falls Trail intersect with city streets, parking lots and other areas that can serve as prime locations for collisions with pedestrians, motor vehicles and even other cyclists. While cyclists always assume some level of risk when setting out on the trail, many accidents are preventable and can be attributed to both environmental hazards and human negligence.

Here are a few common causes of bike accidents along the Baltimore Jones Falls Trail:

1. Poor trail maintenance

Local municipalities are generally responsible for maintaining public trails, including the Jones Falls Trail. Unfortunately, trail maintenance can sometimes come up short on the city’s list of priorities, leading to an increased frequency of preventable accidents. Hazards like potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement and other dangers can all create serious safety risks for cyclists and other individuals on the trail. When a government agency or contractor fails to repair known hazards, they may be held liable under the Local Government Tort Claims Act (LGTCA). However, the injured party must comply with strict notice and procedural rules, so it’s important to speak to an attorney right away.

2. Reckless driving

Although much of the Jones Falls Trail is off-road, there are several intersections where cyclists must cross or briefly ride alongside motor vehicle traffic. In some spots, the trail is actually located on the sidewalk, which can put cyclists at risk of having dangerous encounters with reckless or absent-minded motorists. Drivers who speed, ignore crosswalks or fail to yield may find themselves involved in potentially life-changing collisions with innocent cyclists.

3. Defective bicycles

If a mechanical failure causes a bike crash, the manufacturer of the bicycle, helmet or other piece of equipment may be considered liable for any injuries that resulted from the defective gear. In these cases, cyclists or other injured victims may wish to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or retailer of the equipment in order to recover damages for their injuries, pain and suffering.

How dangerous are bicycle accidents?

According to the National Safety Council, 1,377 cyclists died in accidents in 2023, and research suggests the number of preventable deaths from these accidents is on the rise. Because cyclists lack the physical protection of a car, even non-fatal or seemingly minor collisions can result in serious or life-altering injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
• Broken bones or fractures
• Road rash/soft tissue damage
• Dental or facial injuries
• Internal bleeding and/or organ damage

While protective equipment like helmets and knee pads can help mitigate the danger of serious injury in bicycle accidents, the presence of protective gear does not eliminate risk entirely. In fact, many bike accident victims suffer serious injuries even though they were technically protected at the time of a crash. What’s more, some injured cyclists go on to suffer significant emotional harm as the result of a crash and may also be temporarily or permanently limited in their ability to work, ride a bike or otherwise enjoy their lives after an accident.

For all of these reasons, cyclists who suffer injuries as the result of another party’s negligence are permitted and encouraged to file a claim for compensation related to their accident. With the right legal representation, individuals injured in bicycle crashes can fight for the funds they need to cover the personal, emotional and financial costs of an accident.

Who is at fault for accidents on Jones Falls Trail?

The short answer? It depends.

In order to file a claim for compensation after a bicycle accident, a cyclist must first establish that the accident occurred as the direct result of another party’s negligence. On the Jones Falls Trail, negligence would likely play a role in an accident where:

• The cyclist was injured due to the city’s failure to adequately address known safety hazards along the trail; or
• A reckless driver failed to properly yield to a cyclist because they were texting on their phone rather than watching the crossing

In any of these scenarios, as long as the injured party can establish that the at-fault party failed to exercise an established legal obligation to care for the safety of others, the injured individual may be within their rights to pursue a claim for damages against the other involved party.

However, individuals involved in accidents in Maryland must understand that, under state law, no one is permitted to recover damages for any accident for which they were even partially responsible. This means that if the court determines that you were in any way responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, you will not be entitled to recover any damages from the other party.

Because insurance companies often try to shift blame to cyclists in a wide variety of accident scenarios, cyclists are encouraged to work with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer when filing a claim for compensation. A dedicated accident attorney can gather evidence, speak with eyewitnesses and even communicate with insurance companies directly to establish appropriate accountability in your case.

What compensation is available in bicycle accident cases?

If an injured cyclist can clearly demonstrate their injuries were the direct result of another party’s negligence, they may be entitled to compensation for:

• Economic damages like medical bills, rehabilitation costs, property damage, lost wages, reduced capacity to work, transportation expenses, etc.
• Non-economic damages for things like emotional distress, trauma, pain, suffering and mental anguish

How a bicycle accident lawyer can help

Given the legal complexity of Maryland’s contributory negligence system and the potential involvement of government entities, cycling injury claims require experienced representation. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, our team of dedicated bicycle accident lawyers understands the challenges injured cyclists face under Maryland’s unique legal code.

We have over 40 years of experience supporting clients in personal injury cases of all kinds and are firmly committed to providing hands-on support throughout every step of the legal process. From investigating an accident to representing clients in court, our team of professionals can deliver compassionate, competent legal services to accident victims from all walks of life.

Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer and take the next step towards setting yourself up for a more seamless recovery after a crash on the Jones Falls Trail.