Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer represents any bicycle accident victim in California. Accidents are an unfortunate part of biking, even with a number of rights in place for you as a rider. Knowing your rights is crucial, but it’s also important to understand what to do if they’re violated. If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident or want to understand your rights better, contact us today for a free consultation.
Rights For Bicyclists in California
Strictly speaking, a bicycle isn’t exactly considered a vehicle. Still, riders are given the same rights and responsibilities as drivers in motor vehicles. This means that you have the same right to the road as anyone else when you’re riding your bike in California. However, there’s a few specific things you should know:
- You generally have to ride as far to the right as possible, whether on a main road or a street.
- You can ride on the sidewalk when necessary, you just have to yield to pedestrians.
- If there’s a bike lane, you can use it, unless there’s an obstruction or something in the way.
- You’re allowed to ride side by side with other bicyclists if they’re keeping up with traffic or the lane is too narrow. Otherwise, you should try to stay in a single-file line.
- You have to follow traffic laws, signs, and stop lights just like anyone else.
Helpful Tips
Having rights is one thing, but there’s also certain guidelines that can make your riding experience more enjoyable. This includes doing things like:
- Wearing the right equipment – Always wear a well-fitted helmet while riding to decrease the chance of head injuries. Additionally, using safety gear on other body parts can lower the risk of other injuries.
- Using bike lanes and paths – Whenever feasible, use designated bike lanes or paths, as they are typically safer and reduce accident risks.
- Enhancing your visibility – Stay visible to drivers, especially in low-light situations, by wearing bright or reflective clothing, using bike lights or reflectors, and avoiding blind spots.
- Being predictable – Signal your intentions and ride predictably to help drivers anticipate your actions.
- Staying alert – Stay alert to your surroundings and watch for hazards like potholes or debris.
- Practicing – Practice riding in safe, low-traffic areas to improve your abilities and confidence before tackling busier roads.
As you might expect, having rights and taking these steps won’t always prevent accidents. In fact, bicycle accidents frequently happen because of the actions of others–and have nothing to do with what you do or don’t do. While this is frustrating, it’s always helpful to be prepared.
Legal Rights of Bicycle Accident Victims
Your rights as a bicyclist in California don’t just pertain to the road. They also extend to the legal process in the event of an accident. As an injury victim, you have the right to file an injury claim. You can do this within the court system by filing a lawsuit or outside of the court system by filing an insurance claim.
Either way, you have the chance to recover certain damages from the person or party (like the government) that’s responsible for causing the accident and your injuries. This varies from case to case, but generally, it involves things like your:
- Medical expenses, which cover all the costs associated with medical treatment following an accident, including hospital bills, doctor’s fees, medication costs, rehabilitation expenses, and any necessary medical equipment or assistive devices.
- Lost income or earnings that you are unable to get due to injuries sustained in the accident. It includes both the immediate impact on your earnings during recovery and any future loss of income if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or result in a reduced earning capacity.
- Property damage, which allows for repair or replacement costs for any damage to your property, like your bike, gear, phone, or anything else.
- Pain and suffering, relating to the physical pain and mental anguish experienced as a result of the accident. This includes physical discomfort, mental distress, and the overall negative impact on your quality of life.
- Emotional distress, which is similar to pain and suffering, but focuses on the psychological effects of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health issues that may arise as a direct result of the traumatic experience.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, which covers the ability to participate in activities or enjoy hobbies and interests that were previously part of your life before the accident. It can also include the impact on personal relationships, such as the inability to engage in activities with family or friends due to injuries.
After a bike accident, your first concern should be your health and safety. But it’s also important to act fast to keep yourself safe. If someone else caused the accident, you have rights. That’s why it’s a good idea to get in touch with my team. We can help make sure your rights are protected and try to get your rightful damages for any harm you’ve suffered.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Whether or not you need my team to help you after your bicycle accident depends on your needs. If the accident is minor, you probably don’t need a lawyer. However, if it’s more serious and you’re feeling overwhelmed, I can help. While you’re not required to have a lawyer in California, having one can make a big difference in your case. Here’s how:
- Experience – I’m experienced with the tactics insurance adjusters use and can negotiate effectively to improve your chances of a fair settlement.
- Evaluating your damages – Using our resources, we will determine the true value of your claim, considering all the ways the accident has affected you. We gather strong evidence to support your case and fight for the maximum compensation.
- Protecting your claim – Insurance companies have their own team, but with us on your side, your rights are protected too. We stand up for you, handle any unfair tactics, and work hard to get you a fair settlement.
- Making things easier – Dealing with insurance negotiations can be stressful, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. Let us handle the talking, paperwork, and legal matters, so you can focus on getting better.
Protect Your Rights With Paceline Law Bicycle
Injury Lawyer
My team at Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer understands that biking in California should be fun and enjoyable. Unfortunately, even with rights and protections in place, an accident can change the situation quickly. When this happens, make sure your rights are protected by my firm. I’ll help guide you through the legal process and make sure you have what you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
