From recreation to daily commutes, bicycles are integral to many people’s lifestyles. Unfortunately, while bicycles are a fun and active way to travel, they can be involved in accidents that inflict serious injuries. When other motor vehicles are involved in a bicycle accident, the potential for great harm and even death is high.
The good news is that you have legal rights in the event of a bicycle accident in Fresno. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Fresno can assist you with filing a claim against all responsible parties. Your injury claim can help you recover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, damage to your property, and more.
At Singh Ahluwalia Law Firm, our Fresno bicycle accident attorneys have years of combined experience obtaining compensation for those involved in a bicycle accident. We provide free, no-risk case evaluations to help answer your questions and guide you through the typical process of seeking compensation. Call (559) 878-4958 or contact us online to schedule your free case review today.
How a Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Your legal team is dedicated to analyzing and gathering evidence on the details of your case to help you win an eventual personal injury claim. Part of gathering this information is understanding where the accident happened and what caused it in the first place.
As the injured party, you should always exercise your right to investigate the accident’s cause and your options for obtaining compensation from all responsible parties. Bicycle accidents are likely to lead to serious injuries and substantial medical bills. Hiring a bicycle lawyer can help you create a case to get compensation to cover these expenses from all liable parties involved.
A bicycle lawyer will research, document, and track every part of your case, including but not limited to the following:
- Helping you valuate the full cost of treating injuries — A bicyclist can face serious injuries resulting from an accident, including but not limited to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, lacerations, internal bleeding, and more.
- Recovery of medical expenses — Medical bills can pile up quickly after an accident, and bicycle accident victims should not be left on the hook for these expenses.
- Recovery of lost income and wages — Work missed while recovering can lead to a substantial decline in earnings, which an injury claim can help restore.
- Seeking compensation for pain and suffering — Issues such as PTSD and other trauma can significantly affect the quality of life of the injured party.
- Reclaiming costs of property damage — Many bikes can cost thousands of dollars. A claim can help pay for repairs or replace damaged bike parts and all accessories.
Any questions about whether an item can be included as part of a claim should be presented to your bicycle accident attorney.
While there are many ways one can find themselves in an accident, you should know that at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, our Fresno bicycle accident attorneys are here to protect your personal, financial, and legal interests. We will prepare your case and gather all evidence and information needed to prove liability you and seek the maximum compensation available for any damages.
Identifying the Possible Causes of Bicycle Accidents
According to UC Berkeley, between 2017 and 2021, 385 bicyclist accidents and 31 were killed in Fresno County.
Bicyclists and drivers are legally required to share the road and abide by the rules of the road. Unfortunately, when motor vehicle operators are being careless, it often leads to serious accidents and potential death. Bicyclists face grave danger when they are in an accident, as the size of their bikes compared to a vehicle drastically differ.
While bicycle accidents can happen anywhere, they are usually caused by the common types of collisions described below.
Car Door Opening
When drivers exit their vehicles, they do not always look before opening their doors. An open door can catch a bicyclist by surprise, especially when the door protrudes into what is supposed to be a dedicated bike lane.
While best described as a lack of situational awareness, opening a car door directly puts bicyclists in harm’s way and is possibly the most common cause of injuries. Quickly opening a car door may not grant the cyclist enough time to stop or dodge the obstacle. This kind of collision can be devastating, as bicyclists can be thrown from their bikes and potentially into traffic and risk being struck by oncoming vehicles.
Distracted Driving
Texting, daydreaming, talking on the phone, or chatting with a passenger is considered distracted driving. It only takes one second to miss a bicyclist merging into traffic or changing lanes. Car operators, in particular, cannot see on all sides of their vehicle, and as a result, distracted drivers are a leading cause of Fresno car accidents in general today.
Dog Attack
Just like dogs chasing cars, they can be attracted to a rapidly moving bicycle. Unfortunately, knowing how a dog will react once a cyclist gets off their bike is difficult, and a dog’s owner may not be present to take accountability for their pet. Bicyclists are then left with fleeing as the only course of action, which could serve to put them into harm’s way. Bicyclists should report all incidents to the police or animal control.
Gap Turn
This kind of accident is caused when there is stalled traffic on one side of the road, and a car driver quickly makes a left turn in between traffic. What the driver does not realize is that a cyclist may be attempting to pass at the same time. Suddenly, before either party realizes it, there is a severe accident that can lead to catastrophic injuries.
Intersection Left Turns
Many bicycle accident scenarios occur when a car comes from the opposite side of the road, making a left while a cyclist simultaneously turns right, causing both to converge into the same lane at the same time. In this scenario, the cyclist has the right of way and has every intention to go until they realize that the driver has essentially cut them off. Unfortunately, these situations happen quickly, and bicyclists may not have time to react to prevent a collision.
Left Merge
A massive gulf exists between the speeds capable of a bicyclist compared to a car. This difference becomes even more dangerous when the bicyclist attempts to move lanes to make a left turn up ahead, crossing from the safety of the side of the road directly into the path of potential traffic. Even though speed limits are reduced in areas where bicycles and cars share the road, drivers tend to speed and attempt to pass bicyclists faster than what is posted. Thus, a cyclist making a perfectly safe maneuver can get suddenly caught in an unexpected collision.
Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions are common for all vehicle traffic, but when it involves a bicycle, it can be deadly. A bicyclist struck from the rear can be tossed into oncoming traffic or sandwiched between two cars. Even without a secondary collision, the rear-end collision is a nightmare in itself, as the size and weight of even a tiny car are substantially larger than a bicycle, leading to an impact with significant force upon the bicyclist.
Road Rage
When sharing the road with other bicyclists and drivers, there is always the possibility that someone will become unreasonably angry. Road rage violence can happen to anyone, no matter the situation, and it can quickly prove deadly to a vulnerable cyclist. Bicyclists should seek to not antagonize people engaging in road rage behaviors by yelling or making gestures, which can further anger the aggravator and escalate the situation.
Side-Swipe
In California, law AB-1371 requires a minimum of three feet between cars and bicyclists. In fact, if a driver is caught driving less than three feet when passing a cyclist and causes an accident, they are liable and potentially face a $250 fine. However, despite the laws to help protect bicyclists, side-swiping accidents still occur with alarming frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Your bicycle accident attorney is knowledgeable in guiding you to answer even the most complex questions. Some of the most asked questions are outlined below.
Who Is at Fault?
Every case is different, but more often than not, the car driver is at fault in a bicycle accident. It is crucial to have a police report that details the police officer’s findings to further strengthen your claim. You may also need an accident scene forensics expert to help you reconstruct the accident and determine whether negligence played a part in your collision.
How Can I Protect Myself From Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists should be aware of their surroundings at all times. Being aware of your situation and defensively riding can prevent an accident from occurring in the first place. While bicyclists cannot control other operators on the road, they should do whatever is possible to prevent a crash.
If you are in an accident, it is important to call 911 and address any immediate medical needs. If possible, parties should document the scene by finding witnesses, taking pictures, and ensuring you receive a copy of the police report.
Where Is a Cyclist Allowed to Ride?
The California Legislative Code grants bicyclists the same legal rights as those that drive a car, with the restriction that riders stay as close to the right side of the road as possible. As a result, cities passed ordinances to incorporate designated bike lanes and shared lanes into their plans so that riders find themselves on the right side of the road as often as possible.
At times, bike lanes will end to accommodate parking spaces or posts. In these instances, the bike lane will officially end, and bicyclists can enter traffic after giving an appropriate signal to reach their destination. When riding on the right side of the road is not possible, the law allows for some exceptions:
- Approaching where right turns are permitted
- Avoiding hazardous road conditions or obstructions, like a pedestrian or parked vehicle
- Lane sharing with cars – “Share the Road” is usually painted on the road or on street signs along the road itself
- Making a left turn—where the bicyclists must enter traffic
- Passing another cyclist or group of bicyclists
How Will I Pay My Medical Bills?
Injuries during an accident involving a cyclist are common and can be severe. Whether immediately present or not, a bicyclist should seek medical attention to confirm that there are no life-threatening injuries. Injuries may present themselves weeks or even months after an accident, so the injured party should ensure that they seek medical treatment immediately once they detect pain.
Victims should consult with their bicycle accident lawyer to create a strategy to navigate piling expenses until a settlement of their claim is reached with the other party. Accident cases can take a while to settle, and insurance companies may not be forthcoming to make any payments. The most common way to handle medical bills is through what is called a Medical Lien. The lien will be placed against your settlement amount and paid to medical providers upon settling your case.
Another way is to go directly through your private insurer, which will keep your bills out of collections. Still, it is important to note that this can create an issue with your insurer, as they will seek reimbursement since another party was responsible for your injuries. So, it is important to seek legal counsel when deciding which option works best for your situation.
What If I Cannot Work Because of My Injuries? Can I Receive Money for the Loss of Wages?
Attending the overwhelming number of medical appointments after a bicycle accident is challenging. What makes it worse is that the injured party often needs to take time off work to make these appointments, and as a result, lost wages can be part of the claim against the other party. Further, the accident victim may be unable to return to their work duties, either temporarily or permanently, leading to a substantial loss in income.
A claim for lost wages compares the income of the accident victim before and after the accident. The final damages sought will equal the difference between these two time periods. To seek lost wages, the injured party must provide all requested information to their bicycle attorney to calculate the total amount of income they’ve received before and after their crash.
Will My Bicycle Be Replaced If It Is Damaged or Lost Because of an Accident?
Cars and trucks are significantly larger than bicycles, so it is not surprising that bicyclists face significant amounts of property damage. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not known to pay — or pay enough — to cover the extent of the damage immediately after filing a claim. Instead, insurance companies will assign an adjuster to come and assess the damages to determine a value. Providing receipts from purchases as well as sale listings for bikes with a similar level of wear can help establish the costs for replacing any damaged bicycles, including any accessories.
Singh Ahluwalia Law Firm: Your Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorneys
When one finds themselves involved in a bicycle accident, it can be a painful and frightening experience. Singh Ahluwalia Law Firm is here to help you navigate the legal process and seek the compensation you deserve. We feel for every injured client and do everything we can to make your experience as positive as possible from start to finish.
When you work with Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, our skilled legal team reduces the burden placed on you while increasing the odds that you will receive compensation for all losses you have suffered. We know how to investigate accidents, review evidence, and build strong legal cases to defend our clients. As a result, we have helped many bicycle accident victims get full financial compensation for their losses.
If you find yourself in a bicycle accident, you may be able to receive compensation. A trusted Fresno injury lawyer from Singh Ahluwalia Law Firm can assist you in recovering damages from the negligent party. Call (559) 878-4958 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation over the phone or in person at our local office. We are here to help.
