Fair Oaks Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Fair Oaks is primarily known for its eclectic mix of semi-rural and suburban neighborhoods. The city is also a popular area for bicyclists since it features the impressive Old Fair Oaks Village town center. Bicycling is so popular that there is even an event called the North Fair Oaks Bike Rodeo that takes place annually in the city.

The presence of so many bicyclists creates the risk that a negligent motorist may hit a rider, causing serious bodily injuries. Unfortunately, collisions between motorists and bicyclists occur quite frequently. Over 800 people died in accidents involving vehicles and bicyclists in 2015. That means more than two people died each day in 2015. If that was not bad enough, the number of people killed in bicycle accidents in 2015 increased by six percent compared to accident data from 2006. In addition to hundreds of people losing their lives in bicycle accidents, thousands more suffered severe injuries. In fact, in 2015, approximately 45,000 bicyclists suffered injuries in collisions with motorists.

Taking the following actions after a collision with a motorist will help strengthen the viability of a potential personal injury claim. These steps will also help protect your legal position, especially if the driver tries to claim that you were somewhat at fault for causing or contributing to the collision.

• Call the police and tell them what happened.
• Confirm that an accident report will be filed and ask whether the driver is being issued a ticket for violating a traffic regulation.
• Get medical attention from a trained specialist or ER doctor.
• Get the driver's contact information, including their full name, cell phone number, and auto insurance information.
• Get the contact information for any witnesses who may have seen the collision.
• Take note of any convenience stores, grocery stores, CVS, or Rite Aid chains because they may have surveillance footage of the collision.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, including the car's plate number, the damage done to your bicycle, the damage to your helmet, and any visible bodily injuries
• Get a journal and record the progression of the treatment for your injuries.

All the above-described actions should be taken only if you are physically able. If you are seriously injured, get immediate medical treatment. Unfortunately, many bicyclists suffer catastrophic injuries in these types of accidents.

When a bicyclist is hit by the driver of a sedan, pickup truck, or SUV, the rider usually bears the brunt of the damage. This is because they have virtually no protection from the full force of impact of the collision. As a result, common types of injuries suffered by bicyclists include:

• Traumatic brain injuries or open head wounds
• Partial or complete paralysis from a severe spinal cord injury
• Bulging or ruptured disc in your low back;
• Broken bones
• Torn ligaments
• Amputated limbs
• Lacerations

To learn more about common causes of bicycle accidents and how to avoid them, watch the video below:

Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident? Please contact our experienced Fair Oaks bicycle accident lawyers immediately at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and no-obligation advice. We can also be reached online at www.AutoAccident.com.

We have served the Fair Oaks and Greater California community since 1982 as an injury lawyer, helping people and their families recover after an accident.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

See our client reviews on Avvo, Google, and Yelp and our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Editor's Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 7.7.22]

Image by Mihai Surdu from Pixabay 

:sid rey [cs 839]