Atwater Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Cycling has become a way of life for many Californians. The city of Atwater, CA, is usually a safe place for riding a bicycle. The city has many cycling hubs connecting students and residents to UC Merced and Lake Yosemite. Even so, cycling can be dangerous, and bicycle accidents may occur. When caused by the negligent actions of another driver or entity, an experienced Atwater bicycle accident lawyer can help recover fair compensation on an injured cyclist’s behalf.

What Are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

A car accident involving a cyclist often occurs due to negligence on the driver's part. Common reasons include:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers not paying attention to the road may drift into the bike lane and strike a cyclist. Such incidents happen when a motorist texts or calls on a cell phone, adjusts the stereo or applies makeup while behind the wheel.
• Dooring occurs when a motor vehicle occupant opens a door in front of a cyclist. An oncoming cyclist can be propelled from the bike and severely injured if they cannot react quickly. Dooring accidents frequently happen in urban areas and bicycle lanes.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Since intoxicated motorists are unpredictable, they may be dangerous to others, including bicycle riders.
• Passing: Some drivers may not exercise due care while overtaking cyclists. They may not leave enough space, go too fast, or attempt to pass when there is oncoming traffic.
• Poor Visibility: Drivers may be more likely to crash into a cyclist when traveling in areas with poor visibility. Some areas may have obstructed intersections or insufficient lighting.
• Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions is dangerous. This can affect a driver's ability to stop quickly, particularly for cyclists.

Atwater Bicycle Accident Injuries

When cyclists are involved in an auto accident, they may suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries on the spectrum. This includes nerve trauma, cervical sprain, spinal cord injury, facial scarring, dental damage, and traumatic brain injury. A wrongful death may also occur in some extreme bicycle accident cases.

Who is Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?

There are four potentially liable parties when a cyclist is injured in a bike accident. These include:

• Drivers: Atwater motorists are expected to share the road with cyclists. If the motor vehicle driver fails to uphold their duty of care owed to the cyclist, they can be held liable for resulting losses.
• Commercial Vehicle Operators: When a driver operates a vehicle owned by their employer, that company may bear responsibility for the motorist’s actions. For instance, a trucking company may be considered negligent for a bicycle accident caused by a trucker.
• Government Entity: The government entity responsible for maintaining the roads may be found negligent for a road defect. These include poorly designed intersections, malfunctioning traffic signals, potholes, road signage obscured by foliage, poor lighting, and more.
• Bicycle Manufacturer: Bike accidents may sometimes be caused by a defective bicycle or bicycle part. In such cases, the manufacturer may be held responsible through a products liability claim. This may include defects such as malfunctioning gears or poorly designed helmets. As with any case of products liability, it is essential to preserve the defective product. It should also be examined by an expert. This way, expert testimony can help prove the case.

How Will My Medical Bills and Damaged Bicycle Be Covered?

When a cyclist is injured in a bike accident, he or she must file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, resolving a bicycle accident case can take months or even years. This can put the injured cyclist and their family in an emotional and financial predicament. This is especially true if they have high medical bills, lost wages, bicycle property damage, and pain and suffering. Seeking the assistance of an experienced injury attorney can prove invaluable in these cases. Since most injury lawyers offer free consultations, they can advise injured cyclists of their legal rights. This is critical for any cyclist to do before reaching out to the insurer directly. Watch the video below for information on what to look for in a reputable lawyer.

Does Insurance Pay for a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

Nothing is more stressful than being involved in a hit-and-run accident, especially when catastrophic injuries or death are involved. This is why cyclists should carry uninsured/underinsured motorist protection on their car insurance policy. This type of protection can help pay for damages caused by a driver with little to no coverage. Conversely, it may cover those injured in an accident with a hit-and-run driver. An Atwater bicycle accident attorney can conduct an independent investigation and use their resources to locate the responsible driver. An attorney can also gather, examine, and preserve necessary evidence to prepare a strong case for fair compensation.

Is There a Time Limit on Bicycle Accident Claims?

In California, there is a limited amount of time to file for a bicycle crash. This time limit is the statute of limitations: two years for personal injury and wrongful death. If a bike crash involves a government vehicle or road defect, the deadline is drastically reduced to six months or 180 days from the date of loss.

Atwater Bicycle Accident FAQ

Our child was hit by a car while riding their bicycle. What options do we have for recovery?

Minors are not held to the same duty of care as adults. This is due to their lack of experience and young age. Drivers are expected to exercise additional caution when traveling in areas where children are present, such as school zones. When a motorist fails to do so, they may be held liable for any injuries or damages caused to a child. Since the statute of limitations varies for personal injury cases involving minors, it is best to retain an attorney. A lawyer can file personal injury claims that meet applicable deadlines and rules.

What evidence should I collect and preserve for my bicycle accident claim?

Negligent drivers and their insurance companies often dispute liability for a bicycle accident case. To help prove your claim, you should keep your damaged bicycle and helmet. Having such items in your possession is vital, mainly when your case involves a traumatic brain injury or head injury. A personal injury lawyer can hire an accident reconstruction expert for your claim. The expert can examine the bicycle and helmet for the speed of impact involved in the crash. If you no longer have the bike and helmet, your case may also be proven by photographs you may have taken of those items.

Do I need an Atwater bicycle accident attorney?

A bike accident claim can be challenging to navigate since thorough investigations are often required. That is why it is critical to collect as much evidence as possible. This includes traffic collision reports, eyewitness contact information, photographs of the scene, contact information for those involved in the crash, and medical reports. An experienced bicycle accident attorney in Atwater will independently investigate the facts and circumstances of the accident to properly determine fault. This way, the attorney can secure a favorable outcome on the injured cyclist’s behalf.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Atwater

Bicycles offer little to no protection from the dangers of the road. This leaves cyclists vulnerable to serious injury or death if a bike accident occurs. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident caused by the actions of a negligent driver or entity, call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free friendly case advice.

See our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.24.23] Photograph Source: By "Zhivko" via Pixabay ds cha [cs 1310]}