San Diego Bicycle Accident Lawyers CA

Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists in California must follow the same rules as other drivers on the road. However, because bicycles are smaller and lighter, they are often at a disadvantage compared to other vehicles. Sadly, bicyclists are often involved in accidents where they are sideswiped, run over, or have their right of way ignored at an intersection.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

Speeding

Bicycle accidents often happen when drivers are going too fast. These types of collisions are often serious and can cause severe injuries. Both drivers and cyclists must not go over the speed limit while they’re on the road.

Failure to Yield

Cyclists must not assume that motor vehicle drivers will give them the right of way. If drivers fail to yield, they put cyclists in danger. It can be difficult to determine who is responsible in these situations. If you are injured, you will need a bike accident lawyer to help guide you through the legal process of your personal injury claim.

Road Hazards

If your bike accident was caused by factors such as poor road conditions or inadequate lighting, you may be able to file a legal claim against your local government.

Drunk Driving

When drivers are under the influence of alcohol, they are more likely to cause an accident because they cannot react as quickly or make sound decisions. Drunk driving is responsible for a significant number of traffic fatalities in the United States each year.

Distracted Driving

Bicycle accidents are also commonly caused by driver distraction. If a driver is texting, calling, or eating while driving, they may not be able to see the bicyclist. It is important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid any distractions while driving.

Dooring

Just as car drivers need to be aware of their surroundings at all times, so should bicyclists. A bicycle accident can occur when least expected, so it is important for cyclists to be vigilant of their surroundings and be prepared for anything.

Riding too Close to the Lane of Motor Vehicle Traffic

As mentioned, cyclists must always be aware of their surroundings and never assume that drivers will give them enough space while on the road. Drivers who follow too closely behind a bicyclist can create dangerous situations.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Bicyclists may be harder to spot when on the road, so drivers need to take extra care when changing lanes or merging to avoid a bicycle collision. Unsafe lane changes can be incredibly dangerous for cyclists.

Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists are at much higher risk of injury when in an accident with a motor vehicle due to their lack of protection. The National Security Council (NSC) reports that 1,260 bicycle accident fatalities occurred in 2020.

Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones/bone fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Internal organ damage
• Muscle tears & ligament rupture
• Facial injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Road rash

Bicycle Accident Liability in San Diego

In order to ensure that a claim is valid, the bicycle accident victim (plaintiff) must prove the following:

• The defendant had a duty of care to ensure the safety of the victim.
• The defendant breached that duty.
• The bike collision would not have occurred had it not been for the actions of the negligent driver (defendant).
• The defendant’s negligent actions caused the victim’s injuries and property damage.

Bicyclists must abide by the same rules of the road as motorists. The comparative negligence law in California states that regardless of whether or not the cyclists are found to be partially at fault for their accident, they may still be entitled to compensation for their damages.

The comparative fault law states that even if victims of bicycle accidents are found to be mostly at fault for their accidents – they may still receive compensation. However, this compensation amount may be reduced, depending on the percentage of fault.

Safety Tips to Prevent Bicycle Accidents

As previously mentioned, cyclists are more at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries in a traffic accident due to a lack of protection. There are several tips cyclists can practice to help avoid bicycle accidents:

1. Make sure you can be seen by cars when biking at night by wearing clothes that are either very bright or reflective.
2. Bicycle accidents often occur at night, so it is best to avoid riding or traveling alone during those hours. Instead, try to travel with a buddy.
3. Cyclists need to follow traffic rules to help prevent accidents.
4. Make sure you are visible when riding your bike on the road. Use reflectors to make yourself more noticeable to others.
5. It is important to always wear a helmet and proper safety gear when riding a bicycle.
6. It is essential that you ensure your children are aware of the importance of bicycle safety before they start riding. This includes learning the proper safety rules and procedures to follow.

Recoverable Compensation in Bicycle Accident Claim

The injuries a cyclist may sustain from a cycling accident can be severe, requiring extensive medical care, time off work, and emotional trauma. As the injured party, if your accident injuries were caused by the actions of a careless driver you may be entitled to compensation for your non-economic and economic damages.

Injury victims may be entitled to the following compensatory damages:

• Medical expenses
• Physical therapy
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment
• Loss of consortium
• Other non-economic damages
• And more

In cases such as these, it is crucial that you have a San Diego bicycle accident lawyer by your side to help guide you through your insurance claim. During these difficult times, insurance adjusters may take advantage of your vulnerability and use every trick in the book to lower the value of your claim in order to avoid offering you a fair settlement amount.

Injured in a Bicycle Accident? Contact our San Diego Bicycle Accident Lawyers

At Farahi Law Firm, we understand the difficulty of handling a bicycle accident claim while in the recovery process. Our bicycle accident attorneys will fight to win you the fair compensation you need and deserve.

We will also handle the complex paperwork of your case, deal with the insurance company so you won’t have to, put you in touch with the best medical providers and determine the true value of your claim.

Our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for hundreds of accident victims. We are dedicated to winning and working on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case.

Contact us at (619) 776-3851 for a free case consultation.