The beautiful weather and scenery in California make it a great place to ride bicycles. Many people love to go out in Palo Alto on their bicycles for an alternative transportation option or simply to enjoy the weather while getting exercise. While cycling is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, bicyclists are much likelier to be seriously injured or killed when they are involved in bicycle accident. This is because bicyclists do not have protection from the physical forces that are released in collisions.
While California continues to try to improve bicycle lanes and paths, it continues to rank among the top states for bicycle accident fatalities. If you have suffered serious injuries or have lost a close family member in a bicycle accident, talk to a bicycle accident lawyer in Palo Alto at San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys, we will help you to understand your legal options.
Common bicycle accident types in Palo Alto
While bicycle accidents can happen in a variety of ways, there are several common types of accidents that occur. Some of the most common types of bicycle accidents include the following:
- Dooring accidents
- Accidents while riding against traffic
- Cars or bicycles leaving private drives or alleys
- Sideswipe accidents
- Drivers striking cyclists from behind while overtaking them
Dooring accidents happen when motorists who are parked along the sides of streets fail to notice oncoming cyclists in adjacent bicycle lanes and strike them when opening car doors. These accidents are more common in urban areas such as San Jose and San Francisco than in rural locations.
Some bicycle accidents happen when bicyclists ride against the flow of traffic instead of with it. Bicyclists are supposed to ride with the direction of traffic by law. However, some cyclists feel more comfortable riding against the flow of traffic because they can see the cars. However, since motorists are not expecting bicyclists to be riding in their direction, accidents frequently occur.
Many bicycle accidents happen when either a vehicle or bicycle leaves a private driveway or alley. When the exiting party fails to check before leaving the private drive, accidents can occur.
Sideswipe accidents commonly occur when a motorist fails to notice a bicyclist riding next to a vehicle and starts to move over and collides with a cyclist. These accidents can cause serious injuries or fatalities to cyclists.
Many bicycle accidents happen when drivers overtake cyclists and strike them from behind. This is more common at night when visibility is reduced. Bicycle accidents when drivers overtake the cyclists may also occur because of driver distraction, inattentive driving, aggressive driving, and drunk or drugged driving.
Common causes of bicycle accidents
Most bicycle accidents are preventable. If both the cyclists and the drivers follow the traffic laws and avoid distracting activities, bicycle accidents can be avoided. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include the following problematic behaviors:
- Distracted driving
- Dooring
- Drunk driving
- Failure to obey traffic control devices
- Inclement weather
- Road defects
- Road rage
- Speeding
When bicyclists and motorists follow safe driving and riding rules, accidents are less likely to occur.
Common types of injuries in bicycle accidents
Bicycle accident injuries are often much more devastating than injuries in other types of traffic accidents. When an accident occurs, some of the following injuries are common:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Head, face, and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Fractures to the clavicle
- Dislocated joints
- Hand and leg fractures
- Back injuries
- Road rash
- Death
Injuries in a bicycle accident can leave the victims with lifelong injuries and permanent disabilities.
Why you should retain a bicycle accident lawyer in Palo Alto
Insurance companies are in business to make money and do not have the best interests of bicycle accident victims in mind. Instead, they often engage in underhanded tactics to try to reduce or avoid liability.
You should never accept an early settlement offer that an insurance company extends to you. These offers are commonly much less than what the victims’ claims are worth. Insurance companies try to get accident victims to accept these offers before they have legal representation. If you accept a low-ball offer, you will not be barred from recovering any more money for your losses. Hiring an attorney can help you to secure the compensation that covers all of your losses.
If you are asked to give a recorded statement, sign a medical authorization form, or sent a settlement offer, do not agree to give a statement or sign anything before you talk to a lawyer. You can tell the insurance adjuster that you need to meet with an attorney before you will agree to do anything.
Contact San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident because of the actions of someone else, you should seek legal help as soon as possible. The lawyers at San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys are experienced in all areas of personal injury law, including bicycle accidents. We will aggressively fight for you! Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation: (408) 217-1778