Redding Bicycle Accident Lawyer

bicyclist

Anyone who has ever been involved in a bicycle accident in Redding knows that it can result in serious injuries. Those injuries can be much more severe when the accident is caused by a negligent motorist. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2017, 23 bicyclists were killed or injured in the city. However, when a motorist isn't following the rules of the road and causes an injury to a bicycle rider, the injured person may place a personal injury claim to recover damages. 

Personal injury damages in a bicycle accident claim include all medical expenses, out-of-pocket costs, time the rider lost at work, and pain and suffering. An experienced Redding bicycle accident attorney helps their clients get that compensation. It has been shown that an injured person represented by an injury lawyer collects two to three times more than if they are trying to do so on their own.
 
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Redding, call our experienced injury lawyers at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free no-obligation consultation.

Seeking Legal Help After a Cycling Crash

At our personal injury law firm, we value our clients, treat them like old friends, and go the extra mile to help them obtain the compensation they deserve. However, we understand that it can be difficult to decide whom to call following an accident when negligence by another person or entity is at fault. 

Watch the video below to learn more about finding the best personal injury attorney for your bicycle accident case.

Investigating a Serious Bike Crash

Our law firm's investigators head to the bicycle accident site immediately to gather the evidence needed to support your claim. They begin by examining the police report for errors and talking to witnesses. Accident reconstruction is performed, and valuable evidence is provided when negotiating with the insurance company or in court. In addition, they search the area for cameras that may have caught the accident on tapes, such as traffic surveillance and business cameras.

Marks on the roadway are also crucial because they indicate whether the driver was speeding and tried to stop. Once the evidence has been gathered, our accident lawyers build a strong case in favor of our client. It is useful when negotiating for the client with the insurance company or preparing a court case.

Government Liability in Bicycle Accident Claims

Negligence by a government entity can contribute to or cause a bicycle accident in some cases. Cracks or fissures in the pavement, blurry road lines, potholes, defective traffic lights, and other causes can result in a bicycle accident. The government entity in charge of maintenance in a particular area can be held liable if neglect or bad design causes accidents.

The timeline for filing against a government entity is much shorter, so contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is a good idea. If the time to file surpasses the statute of limitations, the case will not be allowed. Your Redding bicycle accident attorney will ensure all documents are filed correctly and on time.

Leading Causes of Bicycle Accidents 

There are several common reasons bicycle accidents occur, and the vast majority are caused by driver error. Let's look at several types of mistakes motorists make that lead to bicycle accidents:

  • Distracted driver: Today, drivers are increasingly distracted as they text, talk on a phone, or even daydream. This causes them to be oblivious to other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists sharing the road with them. Because of the lack of a bicycle's conspicuity, cyclists are a common distraction target. This type of driver behavior is frequently why a motor vehicle rear-ends a bike. Since cyclist lacks protection when their bicycle is rear-ended, bicyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries. 
  • Not providing enough room for bicycles: In California, drivers must provide three feet of space between their vehicle and a bike. Many drivers fail to do this, and bicycle accidents result. Our firm uses videos and accident reconstruction techniques to measure the distance between the vehicle and the bicycle to prove that the motorist failed to comply with this law. This puts the fault squarely on the motorist.
  • Making a right turn illegally: Some rules govern how a motorist can turn right when a bike lane exists. Under California Vehicle Code 22100, a vehicle cannot turn across lanes and must enter the bike lane to turn right, so turning occurs from the curb. Before merging into the bike lane, the driver must check to ensure a bicyclist is not approaching and engaging in their turn signal. Once safely close to the curb, the driver can turn right.
  • Illegal left-hand turns: In an intersection, it is important to only turn when the road is free from traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A driver must wait in the intersection before turning and have their left blinker activated. A motorist must be alert to others before making a turn.
  • Speeding: Speeding causes many collisions, which is valid for bicycle accidents. A speeding driver has little control over their vehicle and finds it difficult to stop in time when a cyclist approaches.
  • Dooring accidents: Drivers who park on the side of the road and open their doors without looking for a bicyclist are likely to cause a dooring accident. Without warning, an oncoming cyclist cannot avoid striking the car door, which usually results in severe injuries for the bicyclist.
Call Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Redding, CA 

Our Redding bicycle accident attorneys represent all personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Shasta County, California. To learn how our law firm can help you and your family after a severe cycling crash, call (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

To find out more about our law firm has helped our clients obtain just compensation, check out our Settlements and Verdicts page.

Editor's Note: updated [cha 6.16.23] Photo Attribution: Image by John R Perry from Pixabay cd llo [cs 1,007]

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