If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, it is essential that you contact the authorities, collect information and seek immediate medical attention. It is also critical that you seek the advice and guidance of an experienced California bicycle accident lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your losses.
The skilled California personal injury attorneys of Bisnar Chase have more than four decades of experience recovering damages for injured bicyclists and their families. We have a success rate of 99% and have collected more than $750 million for our clients, receiving top ratings and awards from peer groups and clients alike.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please contact us at 800-561-4887 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
California Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The Value of Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Every bicycle accident victim case is different. So, there is no way to tell you how much your claim may be worth without examining the specifics of your case. It depends on your specific circumstances.
For example, if you are involved in a collision with a car while cycling, a negligent driver can be held accountable for all the injuries, damages, and losses they cause. This means injured cyclists can seek financial compensation for their physical injuries, financial losses, mental anguish, and more. A successful claim will include compensation for;
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Medical expenses
- Hospitalization fees
- The cost of rehabilitation
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish and other related damages.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
There are numerous ways in which bicycle riders can end up dead or left with severe accident injuries. Some of the common causes of bicycle accidents are as follows:
- Failure on the part of a motor vehicle to yield the right-of-way
- Bike lane intrusion
- Failure to stop at an intersection
- Door collision: accidents where drivers open doors of parked vehicles directly into a biker’s path
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Distracted drivers
- Roadways with potholes or debris
- Poor lighting
- Negligent hit and run
- Dangerous roadway design
Additional dangers exist for riders of electric bikes, as they can reach higher speeds than pedal-powered bicycles. They are also subject to different laws. Please speak to our e-bike accident lawyers for expert help.
Types of Injuries From a Bicycle Accident
- Road rash: Depending on the impact intensity of the bike crash, road rash can be quite severe.
- Bone fractures: Bike crashes often result in fractures, particularly to the wrist, arm, shoulder, ribs, hips, leg, and ankle bones.
- Brain and head trauma: A head hitting the ground or a moving car at a fast speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and contusions, as well as skull fractures. These may result in persistent cognitive issues.
- Damage to the spinal cord: Bicycle crashes may cause harm to the spinal cord and vertebrae, which could result in paralysis below the site of injury.
- Damage to soft tissues: Common injuries include deep cuts, severe bruising, muscle rips, and joint injuries.
Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may be able to seek financial compensation for your losses. To hold an at-fault party accountable for your suffering, you must prove that the at-fault driver’s negligence contributed to the crash. If the driver was speeding, impaired, distracted, tired, or otherwise careless, he or she can be held accountable for your losses. A bike accident attorney in California can assist you in collecting compensation for your injuries.
There are a number of ways to determine liability and prove fault.
- Did anyone witness the crash?
- Were there surveillance cameras that can show how the crash occurred?
- Was the driver cited by the authorities or arrested for reckless behavior?
- Did you take photos of the crash site and preserve your bike for a thorough inspection?
In some cases, other parties can also be held liable. For example, if a dangerous or defective roadway caused a bicycle accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable as well. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim must be filed within 180 days of the incident. This is known as comparative negligence and can affect the amount you’ll receive.
California Bicycle Laws
One of the best ways to reduce your chances of being involved in a California bicycle accident is to understand rules of the road. Under California Vehicle Code:
- Section 21200: You have the right to ride on the street except on freeways and bridges where no-biking signs are posted. This vehicle code also requires all riders to obey the same rules and laws as drivers of other vehicles including stopping at signs and traffic lights.
- Section 21202: You must remain on the right side of the lane unless you are passing a vehicle or preparing for a left turn.
- Section 21650: Allows bicyclists to leave the right side of the lane to avoid slow-moving traffic and construction activity.
- Section 21650: You must ride with the flow of traffic and not against it.
- Section 21804: Riders must yield to traffic before entering the roadway.
Staying Safe on Your Bike
Riding your bicycle is a healthy way of getting around, saving money, and doing your part to preserve the environment. Unfortunately, bike riding can be hazardous. If you are an avid rider, you must understand how to stay safe on busy roadways and how to protect your rights if you have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Bicycle accidents can happen at any time. All bicyclists must do their part to prevent injury accidents. At the same time, motorists must also remember that they share the roadways with other vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles. Perhaps the best way to prevent an accident is to ride defensively.
Keep your distance from vehicles, avoid blind spots and never assume drivers can see you. You can also prevent accidents by making drivers aware of your intentions. Use hand signals when turning and make eye contact with nearby motorists before entering an intersection. Several ways to increase your visibility include wearing bright clothing, installing red and white reflectors, utilizing a white lamp on the front of your bike, and turning on a flashing light on your rear seat. Above all, wear your helmet at all times. Head injuries in a bicycle accident are all too common. If you’ve been injured, contact our California bicycle accident attorneys today.
Contact our California Bike Accident Lawyers
We are dedicated to representing bike riders. The bike accident attorneys of Bisnar Chase has represented more than 12,000 accident victims and served areas such as Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and even further afield for more than four decades.
We have the resources and talent to win extremely difficult cases including bicycle accidents. Even if you have been told by other attorneys that you do not have a case, our office may be able to help you receive compensation. Don’t wait for the statute of limitations to expire. Get help today from our passionate and professional team of trial lawyers. Call the law firm of Bisnar Chase at 800-561-4887 for a free consultation.
Video: The NHTSA offers bicycle safety tips for adults including learning how to “Drive your bike” just like you would drive a car. Mountain bikes, cruisers, and ten-speeds all have different safety precautions to take into consideration.