Orangevale is part of Sacramento County and is best known for its incredible Sierra Nevada mountain range views. As a result, Orangevale is a popular area for bicyclists. Because of this, bicyclists often share certain roadways with cars, trucks, and SUVs. This creates the risk of severe collisions between bicyclists and motorists on busy roads like Greenback Lane, Hazel Avenue, or Madison Avenue.

Unfortunately, bicyclists are at a much higher risk of injury in an accident than a motorist in California. California leads the country in the percentage of cyclists involved in accidents with motorists. 

If you or a family member was hit by a motorist while riding your bike, there are specific actions you can take to help strengthen your potential personal injury claim and your legal rights in general. Call our experienced Orangevale bicycle accident accidents today at (916) 921-6400 for a free case evaluation.

The first thing that should be on your mind after an accident is seeking medical attention and treatment for your injuries. The actions described below should only be taken if you are physically able:

• Make sure to contact the police and request an accident report.
• Get the name, address, phone number, license number, and auto insurance information of the motorist that hit you.
• Get the names and contact information of witnesses who may have seen the collision.
• Look around to see if any convenience stores or other businesses may have video surveillance footage of the accident.
• Write a summary of what occurred from your vantage point, including notes about road and traffic conditions.
• Take photographs of your injuries, bicycle, and the street where the collision occurred.
• Preserve all your medical bills and the time you were forced to miss work due to your injuries.

When a bicyclist is hit by a car, truck, or SUV, the bicyclist is often left seriously damaged. This is because a bicycle offers little-to-no protection when a collision occurs. This starkly contrasts a driver with the luxury of a seatbelt and airbags. As a result, bicyclists may wind up suffering some, or a combination, of the following types of injuries:

• Brain trauma or open head wound
• Spinal cord injury leaving the bicyclist paralyzed
• Low back injury
• Shoulder and/or knee injury
• Lost limb
• Internal bleeding

If you or a loved one take legal action against the motorist that hit you, it is possible to pursue financial restitution for the following types of harm and losses stemming from the bicycle accident:

• Medical bills incurred due to the accident
• Lost wages that would have been earned had it not been for the accident
• Future income (if you are partially or totally disabled as a proximate result of the collision)
• Pain, suffering, mental anguish, and other non-economic harms

In every state, specific laws limit the time an injured party has to file a lawsuit against the party they allege caused their injuries. This is known as the statute of limitations. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, an injured bicyclist has two years to file a lawsuit, starting from the accident date. This is why taking action sooner rather than later is so important.

Watch the video below for safety tips on how to share the road while riding a bike.

When a bicyclist is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. Please do not hesitate to contact our Orangevale bicycle accident lawyers immediately if you or your loved one has been injured. We can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 online for free and friendly advice. 

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.21.23] Photo by bruce mars from Pexels sid rey [cs 689]}