Winters is a small, charming town known to Northern California bicyclists in Yolo County. A trail system that leads in and out of Winters is heavily traveled by recreational cyclists. About every weekend of the year, residents will see groups of cyclists passing through Winters on their way to various destinations, such as Davis or Lake Berryessa. The City of Winters can also increase daily bicycle commuters – those who travel to work or school by bicycle. The moderately dense residential areas near the employment centers mean commutes are short, and the city enjoys the favorable Northern California climate and topography. All these features make the region a popular place for bicyclists.

When considering the number of recreational cyclists passing through Winters and the potentially increasing number of commuting cyclists, the City of Winters has periodically reviewed the safety of common bicycle routes. They seek to continue to foster the elements that make Winters, California, a bike-friendly destination.

There is always the potential for accidents when bicyclists ride near vehicle traffic. When an unfortunate accident occurs, an experienced Winters Bicycle Accident Lawyer can protect the legal rights of the injured cyclist. Call our legal team at (530) 392-9400 for a free case evaluation.

Accidents can occur anywhere, but some of the most common bicycle routes are where bike accidents occur most frequently. Designated bike routes in Winters include:

• A Class I bicycle path runs along Railroad Avenue.
• Class II bike lanes exist on Main Street, Valley Oak Driver, and East Main Street.
• Regionally, shoulder bike lanes on County Roads 93A and 31 runs from Davis to about a mile east of Winters.
• A Class I trail along Russell Boulevard ends approximately five miles outside of Winters.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most collisions between motorists and bicyclists are not caused by cyclists. Most of the time, the motorist is at fault. Bicycle versus car accidents are commonly caused by one of the following scenarios:

• Distracted driving (driver texting)
• Impaired driving (drugs or alcohol)
• The vehicle driver fails to yield or stop at a traffic control (stop sign or red light)
• A vehicle occupant opens a car door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist
• At an intersection, the driver turns into the path of an oncoming cyclist

When a bicyclist is hit by a passenger vehicle, the injuries can be catastrophic. Common types of injuries that occur in such an accident include:

• Broken bones
• Concussion and post-concussion syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Loss of limbs
• Torn tendons and ligaments
• Back and neck injuries
• Lacerations
• Deep abrasions
• Nerve injuries
• Paralysis

Following a crash with a vehicle, the cyclist will likely have an extended recovery period. Healing from serious injuries takes time and energy. During recovery, one should focus on regaining physical health rather than arguing with an insurance adjuster. While they pretend to care about your best interests, insurance companies do not. The insurance company is only interested in paying little to no money on your injury claim. A skilled Winters bicycle accident lawyer knows the tricks of insurance adjusters and can battle to protect your legal rights and financial interests. Many elements of damage may be recoverable to you following a bicycle accident, including:

• Medical bills – already incurred and for any future treatment that your injuries will require.
• Wage loss
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Additionally, if you are married, your spouse may recover damages for the impact of your injuries on the marital relationship. This category of damage is known as loss of consortium.

California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury matters. That means your claim must be settled, or a lawsuit must be filed before the second anniversary of the incident that caused your injuries. Sometimes, the time you must act is much shorter – such as when a public or governmental agency caused the accident. In cases against a governmental agency, the time limit is only six months. The statute of limitations also differs when the injured person is younger than 18. Protecting these crucial time limits is another reason to consult an experienced Winters bicycle accident lawyer.

The YouTube video below features a 2010 news report of the Amgen bike tour rolling through Winters.

Our legal team has advocated for injured Northern Californians since 1982. If you suffered injuries due to a motorist’s negligence, call our experienced Winters bicycle accident lawyers for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Call (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400.

Our case results are available on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.7.23] Photo Attribution: MMB mm [cs 810] cha}