The city of Pittsburg shares the same Mediterranean climate that most of Contra Costa County and the East Bay enjoy. Regarding weather, it is a perfect place to ride a bicycle. Embarking on a bicycle ride is a great way to exercise and a convenient commuting option. While bicycling has many fantastic benefits to a rider’s mental and physical health and is good for the environment, it comes with risk, especially when riding in areas with motor vehicle traffic. Bicycle versus vehicle accidents can cause serious injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Pittsburg bicycle accident, protect your legal rights and contact a skilled attorney with extensive experience in bicycle accident cases.

One way to avoid traffic dangers while riding a bicycle is to stick to trails that do not allow motorized vehicles. Pittsburg is one of the cities with access to the Delta de Anza Regional Trail, a paved, multi-use bicycling, hiking, and equestrian trail that spans more than 15 miles. There are plans to expand the path to a length of 25 miles. The Delta de Anza trail connects eastern and central Contra Costa County areas, providing alternative transportation access to parks and many schools, including Los Medanos Community College.

It is not always possible to limit a bicycle commute to designated trails. Sometimes, it is necessary to ride near traffic. The City of Pittsburg maintains several bike lanes and paths that support a separate space from roadway traffic. Some of the streets with such bike facilities include:

• Railroad Avenue and East Leland Road
• Kirker Pass Road
• Buchanan Road
• Harbor Street
• Willow Pass Road
• Crestview Drive
• Loveridge Road

The city’s website also states that all major streets have plans for bicycle lanes.

Watch the YouTube video. The following video from the League of American Bicyclists and AAA explains the importance of bike safety and sharing the road.

Bicycle safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses California’s roads. Cyclists, as well as motorists, need to exercise caution when they are traveling near each other. That said, many bicycle accidents occur due to errors and negligence by motorists. Vehicle operators are not always on the lookout for cyclists, and inattention can result in a tragic accident. If the motorist caused the accident, the injured cyclist has the right to seek financial compensation for damages from the driver’s automobile insurance.

Here are some common causes of bicycle accidents:

• Distracted driving/texting while driving
• Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Failure to stop or yield for a bicyclist – widespread at intersections
• Road defects
• Unsafe speed
• Inclement weather or conditions with decreased visibility
• A motorist opening a car door into the path of a cyclist

Personal injury cases often include some combination of the following types of economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical Expenses. This category includes medical bills incurred due to injuries sustained in the subject incident. It may also include the cost of any related future medical care as a physician recommends.
• Lost Income. If you miss time for work due to injuries you suffered in the bike accident, you may seek recovery of that lost income. Sometimes, the injuries are severe enough that one can no longer return to their regular work or work. This could give rise to a claim for future income loss and/or a loss of earning capacity claim.
• Pain and Suffering. Pain and suffering fall within a category known as non-economic damages. You are entitled to payment for your physical and emotional pain. A skilled Pittsburg bicycle accident lawyer will know how to illustrate this element of damages to maximize your financial recovery.
• Property Damage. Often, the bicycle involved in an accident with a motor vehicle is no longer usable. You are entitled to the replacement cost of the bike and any other personal property damaged in the collision, such as your eyeglasses or sunglasses, a watch, clothing, or a backpack.

If the injured cyclist is married, the spouse may be entitled to loss of consortium damages, providing financial compensation to address the adverse effects of the accident and injuries on the marital relationship.

If the accident resulted in the cyclist’s death, their heirs may file a wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as the loss of love, companionship, and parental guidance, if applicable.

California’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years, meaning the claim must be settled or a lawsuit on file before the second anniversary of the incident that caused the injuries. If the deadline to file is missed, the injured person will likely lose all rights to recover financially from the at-fault party.

Sometimes, the time limit is even shorter, such as if the negligent party worked in a government agency’s course and scope of employment. In that case, a notice of claim must be filed with the appropriate agency within 180 days or six months from the incident date.

The statute of limitations also changes if the injured person was younger than 18 at the time of the incident. We recommend consulting with a bicycle accident attorney to protect your legal rights.

It is common for an insurance adjuster to deny liability or legal responsibility following a bicycle accident. The insurance company aims to pay as little on injury claims as possible. An adjuster will often try to get you to settle for pennies as soon as possible following the incident. Retaining a skilled attorney ensures you will not fall prey to insurance tactics designed to lowball your serious injury claim.

Our firm has worked to protect the rights and maximize the financial recoveries of injured Northern Californians. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries because of another party’s negligence, our injury lawyers are happy to offer compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Call us at (925) 428-5220 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.29.23] Photo by Martin Magnemyr on Unsplash mm [cs 1081] cha}