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The Left Hook – Bicycle Advocate Richard Fries Explains the Accident
When an oncoming vehicle turns left directly across a cyclist's path, the resulting "left hook" collision can cause sudden and devastating injuries. In this video, New England Bicycle Advocate Richard Fries from Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers explains how these accidents happen, who is legally at fault, and essential defensive strategies cyclists can use to anticipate dangerous turns and protect themselves on the road.
Key TakeawaysKey Takeaway | Explanation |
Assume You Are Invisible | Motorists frequently overlook oncoming cyclists due to distractions, competing traffic, or blind spots created by the vehicle’s windshield pillars (A-pillars). Cyclists should monitor wheel angle and vehicle positioning rather than assuming the driver sees them or will respect their right of way. |
Beware of Courtesy Gaps in Traffic | When stopped traffic leaves an open gap for a left-turning vehicle, drivers often rush through the opening without scanning for bicycles traveling alongside or beyond the queue. Cyclists should treat these mid-block and intersection gaps as immediate hazard zones. |
Ease Off the Pedals Near Intersections | Reducing speed when approaching intersections where an oncoming vehicle is waiting to turn buys critical reaction time. Decelerating gives the cyclist space to assess whether the motorist is committing to an unsafe turn. |
Formulate an Evasive Plan in Advance | Riders should actively identify escape routes before entering an intersection rather than relying on panic braking. Depending on clear road space, this may involve hard stopping or steering safely around the vehicle while avoiding pedestrians and curbs. |
Turning Drivers Generally Bear Legal Duty | Motorists turning left are legally required to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, including bicycles traveling straight. A driver cutting across an approaching cyclist can be held liable for damages, though proving fault requires clear evidence of visibility, speed, and driver conduct. |
Read Full Video Transcript
Richard Fries:
Of all the bicycle crashes we analyze. The left hook is one of the most dangerous. This is when a motorist turns left across the path of an oncoming bicycle rider. These may happen because the motorist isn't able to see the bike lane because of an A post in their car, or they're cutting across backed up traffic. We're going to show you some of the tips to avoid being a victim of a left hook.
First, assume invisibility when you're in that bike lane amidst a lot of other things going on. Cars may not be looking for you, and they may not see you ride mentally as if you are invisible. Second, know the gaps. When a vehicle opens up a gap that might be waving a motorist through. Assume that somebody coming into that gap.
Third, respect the gap. Back off the pedals a little bit as you enter that intersection area. Give yourself a little bit more response time. And finally, always have evasive action planned. Sometimes that can be to the left and around the vehicle that's coming through. Sometimes that can be just shutting it down or going scooting through. Or it may be to the right.
Always have a B route.
In every northeast. Eight. An oncoming motorist must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. That includes bicycle riders. If you are involved in a left hook incident, file a police report. Document everything, take pictures and get a lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman injury Lawyers. We have been involved in these things personally. We understand bikes. We get you. We're there for you.
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