One great way to see Nevada City is by bike. The city offers many trails and routes for all biking abilities. The endless trails surrounding forests, rivers, and lakes are nature’s wonders year-round for mountain bike riders. For road bikers, the local roads throughout Nevada City and the Sierra Nevada are popular for riders of all levels.

Although there are many bike-friendly trails in Nevada City, accidents with a motor vehicle can still occur. Bicyclists and motorists still have to share the road. Whether you are a recreational rider or an extreme bicyclist, you can suffer severe injuries in an accident with a negligent driver.

If you have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Nevada City, you may need an experienced Nevada City bicycle accident lawyer who can help you get financial compensation for your damages. Call our legal team at (530) 392-9400 for a free consultation.

Even a skilled cyclist can’t always avoid an accident. Although factors such as rider error or road defect can cause a bicycle accident, collisions with motorists are the most common causes. A bike accident can occur when the motorist:

• Fails to yield when making a left-hand turn.
• Drives too fast for road conditions.
• Opens a car door into the path of a bicyclist.
• Proceeds without signaling.
• Violates traffic lights or stop signs.
• Drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Bicycle accidents in Nevada City may also be caused by poor road maintenance, street lighting, and traffic signs. Government entities are responsible for upkeeping bicycle lanes and making public roadways safer for bicyclists. A government entity can be held liable for negligence if a bicycle accident was caused by a road defect such as:

• Bumps or cracks on the road
• Improper traffic signs
• Lack of bicycle lanes
• Lack of lighting for bicyclists riding at night
• Potholes
• Poorly designed streets or intersections

Watch the YouTube video below to learn about the five most common bicycle accidents and how to avoid them.

The rider will most likely suffer catastrophic injuries in a bicycle vs. car accident. Some common types of injuries sustained in a bicycle accident could include:

• Brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Bone fractures
• Lacerations
• Neck injuries
• Road Rash
• Skin and soft tissue damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Torn ligaments
• Death

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, taking these next steps can help strengthen your personal injury claim and help protect you if the motorist claims you were partially at fault for the accident:

• Call the police and get an accident report.
• Get the motorist’s contact and auto insurance information.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, including any damages to your bicycle, helmet, and bodily injuries.
• Get contact information from any witnesses.
• Take note of businesses nearby because they may have surveillance video of the accident.
• Get medical care immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor.

Our experienced Nevada City bicycle accident lawyers work diligently to get the best results for our clients.  Not only will we ensure our clients get the best medical treatment for a successful recovery, but we will also conduct a complete investigation of the accident. Sometimes, we will hire expert witnesses to reconstruct the bicycle accident to help prove the driver’s negligence.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident and the motorist is found to be at fault, you can pursue a personal injury claim for your damages and losses. Damages that can be claimed include:

• Loss of consortium
• Loss of current and future income
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage 

An injured bicyclist can still recover financial compensation from the motorist, even if the cyclist is partly at fault. If the rider is found to be primarily at fault, they may still recover some money proportioned to their responsibility.

Bicycle accidents can cause devastating and life-altering consequences. If you or a loved one has been severely affected by a bicycle accident-related injury, call our experienced Nevada City personal injury attorneys at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for our free and friendly case advice.

We’ve been helping the residents of Nevada City and throughout Northern California claim maximum compensation for their wrongful death and personal injury cases since 1982.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.19.23] Photo by alexandre saraiva carniato from Pexels cha llo [cs 775]}