West Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Starting as an agricultural mecca, West Sacramento has grown to include dairy farming, fishing, and retail. As the population increases, traffic concerns mount. So does the need to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe. The city has taken steps to accomplish this. However, success depends on many factors.

When bicycle accidents happen, a cyclist can experience serious injuries. Legal representation is necessary for several reasons:

• A biker’s inability to fight for themselves due to injury
• Evidence at the site can disappear quickly
• Witness memory may fade
• Medical bills mount
• Wages are lost
• Insurance companies undercut claims

At my firm, we move quickly to examine the scene for reasons the accident happened, review police records and talk to witnesses. At the accident site, our investigators take measurements and use other techniques to establish fault. We take insurance company questions and answer them to our clients. Our lawyers examine videos from storefronts or city cameras, such as that on West Capitol and Jefferson Blvd., to see if the accident was captured on video. We examine the bicycle and determine the cost of replacing it. Once medical treatment is over, we obtain and review medical records. All of this is done while you rest and recuperate from the accident.

West Sacramento has a history of bicycle accidents, particularly along West Capitol Avenue. According to the Office of Traffic Safety, 19 West Sacramento cyclists were injured or killed in 2015. This places West Sacramento 28th out of 105 cities of similar size in California. Two of the cyclists were under 15.

Several streets and intersections are known for accidents. These include:

• West Capitol Avenue: 2 bicyclists killed, including a collision between a garbage truck and UC Davis professor in 2016
• Jefferson Blvd: 92-year-old man killed by a truck while crossing with a bicycle
• The intersection of West Capitol Ave and Jefferson Boulevard: The scene of many accidents

In 2013, the city of West Sacramento established a Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Plan to keep people safe. To do this, West Sacramento elected to work on ways to make sure bicyclists and pedestrians had safe passage around the city. This entails widening and installing bicycle lanes.

One of the biggest parts of the plan was to establish the Sycamore Trail Pedestrian Overcrossing. This will be used to allow safe passage from the areas of north and south parts of the city. The city was funded $5.1 million to build a path for pedestrians and bicyclists bridging Route 50 from Westmore Oaks Elementary School to Joey Lopes Park. Other projects to allow for safe bicycling and walking include:

• Clarksburg Branch Line Trail
• Linden Loop Road Diet in an area west of Jefferson Blvd.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety said that more cyclists are killed in urban areas (71 percent) than non-urban areas, with more on major (59 percent) rather than minor roads (32 percent). Individuals under 20-years-old died more often on minor roads. While 36 percent of bicyclists are killed at intersections, even more are killed at non-intersections (64 percent). The period May through September held the most deaths.

Helmets are mandatory for cyclists under 18. Older riders are encouraged to do so, but it is not mandatory for them. Overall, for cyclists killed in 2016, 51 percent did not wear a helmet. Sixteen percent did wear a helmet, and 33 percent were unknown. If you do buy a helmet, make sure it fits the way it should. Make sure the helmet fits snugly but not too tight. When it is worn level on the head, it should be two finger-widths above your eyebrows. The strap when worn should form a “v” around your ears, fastened snugly under your chin. You should not be able to get more than one finger under the strap.

More bicyclists who are over 20 years of age (87 percent) are killed than those 20 and under.  More males (85 percent) were killed than females.

Drinking is common in both motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists. Roughly 22 percent of cyclists who died in a crash have an elevated blood alcohol concentration. Younger and middle-aged riders more commonly drink. In California, if you ride a bicycle while drunk, you can be arrested for cycling under the influence (CUI). This is punishable under Vehicle Code section 21200.5 with a fine. It is also a misdemeanor. Bicyclists who are under 21 and get a CUI may have their motor vehicle license suspended.

Although West Sacramento is making an effort to increase safety, accidents still happen. Bicycle crashes occur due to:

• A cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle (30 percent)
• The road is in bad condition (13 percent)
• Rider error (13 percent)
• Bicyclist falls from the bike (17 percent)
• Dog causes an accident (4 percent)
• Bicycle crashes into an object (7 percent)

There are times when the bicycle itself is at fault. A few of the most common defects include brakes and wheels. On occasion, the hubs on the front wheels are defective. Whatever the reason, if the bicycle design resulted in a defect or if the manufacturing process was to blame, you can be compensated. In California, it is necessary for your bicycle accident lawyer to show that the bicycle was defective and that you were using it properly. Due to a doctrine called strict liability in California, you do not need to prove negligence.

Watch the bike safety video below for tips on safe cycling.

I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. If you were hurt or if a family member died due to negligence when you are on a bicycle, you need an injury lawyer. I can be reached here in Sacramento at 916.921.6400 or outside the city at (800) 404-5400. If you’d rather, get in touch online by using my contact us page. I’ll provide you with free, friendly legal advice about your bicycle accident. 

I take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees upfront. I only get paid at the successful outcome of your case. So why not call today? It is free to talk to me.

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

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Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 1.14.19]