There are several common reasons bicycle accidents occur, and the vast majority are caused by driver error. Let’s look at several types of mistakes motorists make that lead to bicycle accidents:

• Distracted driver: Today, drivers are increasingly distracted as they text, talk on a phone, or even daydream. This causes them to be oblivious to other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists sharing the road with them. Because of the lack of a bicycle’s conspicuity, cyclists are a common distraction target. This type of driver behavior is frequently why a motor vehicle rear-ends a bike. Since cyclist lacks protection when their bicycle is rear-ended, bicyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries. 
• Not providing enough room for bicycles: In California, drivers must provide three feet of space between their vehicle and a bike. Many drivers fail to do this, and bicycle accidents result. Our firm uses videos and accident reconstruction techniques to measure the distance between the vehicle and the bicycle to prove that the motorist failed to comply with this law. This puts the fault squarely on the motorist.
• Making a right turn illegally: Some rules govern how a motorist can turn right when a bike lane exists. Under California Vehicle Code 22100, a vehicle cannot turn across lanes and must enter the bike lane to turn right, so turning occurs from the curb. Before merging into the bike lane, the driver must check to ensure a bicyclist is not approaching and engaging in their turn signal. Once safely close to the curb, the driver can turn right.
• Illegal left-hand turns: In an intersection, it is important to only turn when the road is free from traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A driver must wait in the intersection before turning and have their left blinker activated. A motorist must be alert to others before making a turn.
• Speeding: Speeding causes many collisions, which is valid for bicycle accidents. A speeding driver has little control over their vehicle and finds it difficult to stop in time when a cyclist approaches.
• Dooring accidents: Drivers who park on the side of the road and open their doors without looking for a bicyclist are likely to cause a dooring accident. Without warning, an oncoming cyclist cannot avoid striking the car door, which usually results in severe injuries for the bicyclist.

Our Redding bicycle accident attorneys represent all personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Shasta County, California. To learn how our law firm can help you and your family after a severe cycling crash, call (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

To find out more about our law firm has helped our clients obtain just compensation, check out our Settlements and Verdicts page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 6.16.23] Photo Attribution: Image by John R Perry from Pixabay cd llo [cs 1,007]}