Knowing your legal rights is crucial to pursue compensation after a bicycle accident in Arden-Arcade. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists on California roads. If someone else caused a bike crash that injured you, you could hold the at-fault party accountable by filing a personal injury claim.
Taking legal action starts by speaking with an experienced attorney about your case. Demas Law Group has been serving clients for over 30 years. With 800+ Google reviews and a record of successful verdicts and settlements for accident victims, our team has the skills and resources to build a strong case seeking maximum compensation. Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer in Arden-Arcade.
Why Are Cyclists at Risk on Arden-Arcade Roads?
Motorists are the biggest threat to cyclists on Arden-Arcade roads. Other drivers cause many bicycle accidents due to distracted driving, negligent driving, or intentionally ignoring cyclists’ right to the road.
For example, motorists who text while driving may swerve out of their lane and into a nearby bike lane, striking a rider. Even when drivers see cyclists, they may not know California bicycle laws, such as when to yield at intersections, how much space to leave when passing, or when cyclists can legally ride in a full lane. Aggressive drivers may make unsafe lane changes or follow too closely, causing bike crashes that could have been avoided with patience.
Parked cars also pose a risk to cyclists in Arden-Arcade. Drivers and passengers who open their doors without checking for oncoming riders can suddenly block their way, causing dooring accidents and catastrophic injuries.
People have a legal responsibility to follow bicycle safety rules. If a driver violates traffic laws and injures you, you could recover compensation through a bicycle accident claim in California.
California Bicycle Laws
The first step in most personal injury cases is to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Understanding California’s bicycle accident laws is essential. The insurance adjuster will look for reasons to shift blame for the crash onto you. California law follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which allows the insurance company or court to reduce your compensation by the percentage of fault you are assigned for the accident.
If you break any of the state’s bicycle laws, the insurance company may point to those violations as evidence that you contributed to the accident.
California’s Bicycle Helmet Law
All cyclists in California under 18 must wear a helmet while riding on public roads. While this law only applies to minors, our bicycle accident attorneys recommend that everyone wears a helmet while biking to reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries in a collision. Lack of helmet use may or may not be a factor your bicycle accident injury claim, and a skilled lawyer can explain whether the insurance company might try to use it to reduce your compensation.
Obeying Traffic Signs and Signals
Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. This includes stopping for red lights and obeying all traffic signs. If you rolled through an intersection and were struck by a car, the driver’s insurance company could use that against you.
Equipment for Riding at Night
When riding after sunset or before sunrise, your bicycle must have a white headlight visible from a distance of 300 feet and a rear red reflector or red light visible from 500 feet. You should also have white or yellow reflectors on your pedals and wheels to make it easier for motorists to see you.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists can sustain a wide variety of injuries in accidents involving motor vehicles. Some of the most common and severe of these injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Head trauma can result in severe brain injuries that cause permanent physical and cognitive disability.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord may cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones: Broken wrists, forearms, collarbones, ribs, and legs often occur due to the impact with a vehicle or the road surface.
- Road rash: This abrasion injury is caused by sliding across the pavement after an accident, leaving the victim prone to infections and scarring.
- Soft-tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are prone to injury in bicycle crashes. The soft tissues in and around the knees are at particular risk.
- Internal organ damage: The blunt force of an impact with a vehicle, door, or pavement can rupture internal organs, requiring immediate medical treatment.
Do I Need an Arden-Arcade Bike Crash Lawyer?
Consulting a trusted Arden-Arcade bike accident law firm is a smart strategy to protect your right to fair compensation. Your attorney can gather robust evidence to support your claim, calculate a reasonable value for your case, negotiate with the responsible party’s insurer, and/or take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
Proving Liability in a Bike Crash
Proving liability for a bike crash involves gathering evidence and using it to identify the negligent party(s) and build a convincing case. Critical evidence that could establish liability include accident scene photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, medical records, and more. Your attorney can handle this part of the legal process and subpoena additional evidence that isn’t accessible to private citizens, such as cell phone records.
Types of Compensation in Bicycle Accident Cases
The compensation available through bicycle accident claims covers various personal and financial losses, including:
- Medical bills: Past and future surgeries, medical care, assistive devices, physical therapy, and other medical expenses
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering from bicycle accident injuries
- Reduced earning capacity: Wages that accidents victims lose due to a permanent disability that prevents them from working
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain caused by bicycle accident injuries
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and psychological conditions that accident victims may experience
An experienced attorney can assist injured cyclists in proving negligence and fighting for full compensation after a crash.
Contact Our Arden-Arcade Bicycle Accident Lawyers
The personal injury attorney you choose to represent you in a bike accident case can support you through the claims process from start to finish. Demas Law Group is a respected law firm that has recovered over $200 million in verdicts and settlements for injured Californians. Let us pursue the best possible outcome for your case. Call or contact our Arden-Arcade bicycle accident lawyers today for a free initial consultation.
