When it comes to filing insurance claims, does it matter where a driver hit and injured me while I was riding my bike? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Yes. Virginia state law and various local ordinances make it illegal to ride your bicycle on an interstate or in other places where cars and trucks are allowed to operate. Violating a bike use law and then getting hit and injured by a driver constitutes contributory negligence.

Virginia courts consider any evidence of contributory negligence as an absolute bar to recovery for personal injuries. In plainer English, you cannot file an insurance claim if you got hurt while breaking the law.

EJL