Bike Accident Attorneys

According to statistics from NHTSA there were 48,000 bicycle accident injuries and 743 bicycle accident deaths in 2013. Riding a bicycle can be great for commuting, fitness, or pleasure, but accidents happen and they can often have serious consequences. The bicycle accident attorneys at The Sevey Law Firm have the skills, experience, and resources to help you negotiate with insurance companies and get the benefits you deserve should you find yourself involved in a bike accident.

To ensure that you gain the maximum compensation and post-accident support that you deserve, it is essential that you seek professional legal advice. Our team of expert bicycle accident lawyers has numerous years of experience successfully defending the rights of accident victims.

The team is always on standby, fully dedicated to achieving the results that you deserve and getting you the right settlement.

$2,500,000 Settlement: Bicyclist Injured in Car Crash

Our client was hit while riding his bicycle. He is a Dentist who suffered significant injuries to his body. He has recovered well and has returned to practicing dentistry.

California Bicycle Laws

Similar to drivers, cyclists also have laws and regulations they must follow. They also possess rights and entitlements whilst cycling on our roadways. In accordance with the California Vehicle Code:

• Section 21200: Cyclists must obey the same laws and rules as motorists, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights, except in cases where their nature can have no application to a bicycle
• Section 21200: Cyclists cannot ride on bridges or freeways, as cycling is prohibited
• Section 21202: Cyclists biking at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic must ride as close to the rightmost side of the lane as possible, except when making a left turn or overtaking a vehicle
• Section 21650: Cyclists can leave the rightmost side of the lane to navigate around slow moving/gridlocked traffic
• Section 21804: Cyclists must yield and give right-of-way to moving vehicles before entering a roadway

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Despite laws meant to protect bicyclists and reduce the dangers of sharing the road with cars, nearly 30% of bicycle accidents involve a collision with an automobile. These accidents generally tend to be caused by errors and carelessness from drivers. The most common examples include:

• Not checking for oncoming cyclists before making a turn at an intersection
• Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign at the expense of a crossing cyclist
• Not following right-of-way protocol
• Opening car doors without checking for oncoming cyclists
• Driving whilst distracted and taking eyes off the road i.e. using cell phones; reading a map for a prolonged amount of time etc.
• Drunk driving

Other common causes of bicycle accident injuries are:

• Falling
• Weather conditions
• Riding on a roadway or walk way that is in poor condition
• Rider error
• Crashes and collisions with objects other than cars
• Obstacles unexpectedly getting in the rider's way (children, dogs, etc.)

Bicycle Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the following data on bicycle accidents in 2013:

• 48,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic accidents nation wide
• 743 bicycle riders were killed in traffic accidents nation wide
• California had the most bicyclist deaths in the country with 141
• 68% of bicycle crash deaths involving a vehicle happened in urban areas
• 66% of traffic related bicycle crash fatalities happened somewhere other than an intersection
• 56% of traffic accidents where a bicyclist died occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight.
• 87% of the bicyclists killed in traffic accidents were male
• 83% of the bicyclists injured in traffic accidents were male
• 34% of the traffic crashes that resulted in bicyclist fatalities included alcohol (either the bike rider or the driver)

These stats are telling, but research of hospital reports suggests that these statistics may actually be higher. Many bicycle accident victims that end up visiting hospitals fail to file an official report of the accident to the police.

How to Prove Your Bicycle Accident Claim

If you have experienced any such incident that you feel was the fault of a negligent third party, compensation should be entitled to you.

To ensure that the deserved compensation is gained from the responsible party, it is vital you have evidence to prove that their actions were a direct contributor to the accident and any injuries that may have occurred.

Photographic and video evidence, direct eye-witness accounts, and medical or police reports are all ways in which such proof can be obtained.

But, don’t worry. With us you will never be expected to acquire such evidence alone. Our team of bicycle injury lawyers will be on hand to do a detailed investigation of all aspects of your case, ensuring suitable evidence can be found.

$300,000 Settlement: Bicyclist Injured in Auto Accident

Our client was hit at approximately 5:30am while riding his bicycle. Proving liability was difficult as our client did not have a headlight on his bicycle, and he was not wearing a helmet. The impact was slight; however, it was forceful enough to cause our client to hit his head. Our client suffered from headaches and memory problems. He was seen by numerous doctors and underwent neuro-psychological testing. Due to the issues of liability and differing testimony from the doctors, we resolved the case for $300,000. Our client was happy and is doing much better now.

Ensuring You Get Full Compensation For Your Claim

Our bicycle accident lawyers are passionate about getting results for our clients. We treat every client on an individual basis, as we realize that no two bicycle accidents are the same. Every case has its own characteristics and we take each and every one into account.

If you choose us to represent you and your case, we will work closely alongside you to develop a personalized approach for all stages of the process. This will include obtaining the evidence for liability proof, no matter how difficult, to the result of the final maximum granted settlement.

Contact our offices today for more information on how we can assist you with your specific claim. Our personal injury lawyers are always available to answer any questions you may have, as well as providing expert advice on how to move forward with your case.