Oakley Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Oakley, California, is a popular area for bicyclists. As part of the East Contra Costa Bicycle Plan, the city is expanding its system of bike trails through the Oakley area to connect schools, parks, and commercial centers.

Even with a great regional bicycle trail system, getting into an accident is still a great risk because bicyclists often share the road with motor vehicles. When an accident occurs between a bicycle and a car, the cyclist is at a much higher risk of suffering a traumatic injury.

If you or a family member has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle or government entity, such as poor road conditions, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Reach out to our skilled Oakley injury attorneys at (925) 428-5220 for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.

According to the National Safety Council Injury Facts (NSC) website:

• There were 1,089 bicycle-related deaths in 2019.
• The number of bicycle accident deaths rose 6% in 2019 and has increased 37% in the past 10 years.
• Bicycle accident deaths peak in June and remain high through September.

Ride where you are expected to be seen. Riding predictably helps drivers get a sense of your action and can react to avoid an accident. If possible, avoid riding on the sidewalk.  Some sidewalks end unexpectedly and force the bicyclist into the road. Drivers don't expect to see a bicyclist on a sidewalk and won't see you. If you can't avoid riding on the sidewalk, remember to:

• Ride in the same traffic direction as motor vehicles.
• Slow down and look for traffic when crossing a street.
• Be prepared to stop and follow the pedestrian signals.
• Look for vehicles turning or backing out of the driveways.

Make your safety a priority the next time you go for a bike ride. That includes having all the proper gear, wearing a helmet, and knowing the rules of the road.

Watch the short video below for safety tips on how to ride predictably.

If you were hit by a driver while riding your bicycle, there are certain steps you must take to help prove your potential personal injury claim. The first thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. The following steps below should only be done if you are physically able to:

• Contact the police and request a traffic report from the responding officer.
• Get contact and auto insurance information of the driver that hit you.
• Get contact information of witnesses who may have seen the accident.
• Write down what happened from your vantage point, and include notes about road and traffic conditions.
• Take pictures of your injuries, your bicycle, and the surrounding area where the accident happened.
• Save all your medical bills and keep track of the amount of time you missed work due to your injuries.

When a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the cyclist is often left with serious damages. This is usually because a bicycle offers no protection in a collision. As a result, the bicyclist could suffer the following types of injuries:

• Back injury
• Brain injury
• Internal bleeding
• Knee injury
• Lost limb
• Shoulder injury
• Spinal cord injury

If you take legal action against the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries, you may be able to pursue financial restitution for the following types of damages:

• Future income
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Mental anguish

Some laws limit the amount of time the injured individual has to file a lawsuit against the at-party. The time limit is called the statute of limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the injured person has two years from the accident date to file a claim. That is why it is essential to take action as soon as possible to avoid missing the window of opportunity.

If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Oakley or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, call our experienced personal injury lawyers for free, friendly advice at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.

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

See a list of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page and our client reviews on Avvo, Yelp, Google.

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

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