49,000 Americans are injured yearly, and 726 die in bicycle accidents. The majority of these accidents in Elk Grove are caused by negligence. You might have a valid compensation claim if you were hurt in a road cycling crash caused by someone else’s negligence. The Elk Grove, CA, bicycle accident injury attorneys at our law firm can help you review the facts of the incident, evaluate any potential claims, assess damages, and decide the best course of legal action based on your best interests.

If you have been injured in a cycling crash in Elk Grove and need guidance, call our bicycle accident attorneys at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

Bicycle accidents are hazardous for cyclists because they commonly involve large motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles. Bikes do not provide the same level of protection against injury as cars. Unlike a driver with the added protection of a metal enclosure, airbags, seatbelts, and antilock brakes, cyclists are equipped with only a helmet, assuming the rider straps one on.

Often, the collision force will throw the cyclist off the bike. When this occurs, the cyclist is exposed to the risk of being crushed by an oncoming vehicle. While these accidents are entirely preventable, they are rarely foreseeable for cyclists. Bicycle accidents frequently occur suddenly and unexpectedly, which leaves the bicyclist with minimal opportunity to respond. A bicycle’s relatively slow rate of speed makes it difficult for a rider to swerve or otherwise avoid a collision when in the immediate path of a motor vehicle.

Common types of bicycle accidents that occur in Elk Grove include:

• Drivers failing to maintain traffic laws (drifting between lanes)
• Drivers under the influence
• Careless or distracted drivers
• Pedestrians crossing the street against a red light
• Potholes
• Cracks or bumps in the road
• Lack of adequate road signage
• Drivers executing unsafe turns or lane changes
• Motorists opening their car doors to exit without checking for bicycles

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you might be concerned that you have no insurance to cover your medical bills and that your pain makes it impossible to return to work. California personal injury law seeks to make victims whole by placing the burden of compensation on at-fault parties. Therefore, if a negligent driver, motorcyclist, or pedestrian caused your cycling crash, our Elk Grove, CA, bicycle accident injury lawyers can help hold the at-fault party financially accountable for your injuries and losses. Common economic and non-economic damages in a cycling crash injury claim include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

The at-fault party depends on the cause of the accident. There are three leading causes of bicycle accidents in Elk Grove: (1) roadway design defects, (2) negligent drivers, and (3) bicycle manufacturer defects.

Local governments like Sacramento County and Elk Grove may be liable for bicycle accidents caused by poorly designed, built, or maintained roadways. The government is responsible for adequately and safely constructing public streets for the safe use of its citizens. When the government fails to exercise reasonable care in providing and maintaining safe roadways and accident results, the government may be liable for damages. 

Examples of roadway design defects include potholes, lack of proper signage, and failure to install bike lanes. Since bringing a personal injury claim against a government entity involves specific filing procedures and deadlines, cyclists hurt in crashes should seek immediate legal advice from a top-rated accident lawyer.

Negligent drivers are a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Most bicycle accidents can be attributed to careless or distracted driving. This can include failing to check blind spots, refusing to yield to cyclists, using a cell phone, and speeding. Cyclists injured by negligent drivers can pursue compensation for injuries under personal injury law.

Bicycle manufacturer defects involve the bicycle manufacturer improperly designing or assembling the bike. Bicycle defects occur when manufacturers use the wrong parts, fail to install parts or implement a simply unsafe design. If you suspect your bicycle was not manufactured safely, the injury lawyers at our law firm can investigate the injury incident and bring a products liability claim against the manufacturer responsible for the defective cycling product.

The video below looks at some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents and how to prevent them.