Oakley, California, is a popular area for bicyclists. As part of the East Contra Costa Bicycle Plan, the city is expanding its system of bike trails through the Oakley area to connect schools, parks, and commercial centers.

Even with a tremendous regional bicycle trail system, getting into an accident is risky because bicyclists often share the road with motor vehicles. When an accident occurs between a bicycle and a car, the cyclist is much more likely to suffer a traumatic injury.

If you have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle or government entity, such as poor road conditions, you can pursue monetary compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Contact our skilled Oakley injury attorneys at (925) 428-5220 for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.

According to the National Safety Council Injury Facts (NSC) website:

• There were 1,089 bicycle-related deaths in 2019.
• The number of bicycle accident deaths rose 6% in 2019 and has increased 37% in the past 10 years.
• Bicycle accident deaths peak in June and remain high through September.

Ride where you are expected to be seen. Predictably, riding helps drivers understand their actions and react to avoid an accident. If possible, don’t ride on the sidewalk. Some sidewalks end unexpectedly and force the bicyclist into the road. Drivers don’t expect to see a bicyclist on a sidewalk and won’t see you. However, if you can’t avoid riding on the sidewalk, remember to:

• Ride in the same traffic direction as motor vehicles.
• Slow down and look for traffic when crossing a street.
• Be prepared to stop and follow the pedestrian signals.
• Look for vehicles turning or backing out of the driveways.

Make your safety a priority next time you ride a bike. That includes having all the proper gear, wearing a helmet, and knowing the rules of the road.

Watch the short video below for safety tips on how to ride predictably.

If you were hit by a driver while riding your bicycle, there are specific steps you must take to help prove your potential personal injury claim. First, you should seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. The following steps below should only be done if you are physically able to:

• Contact the police and request a traffic report from the responding officer.
• Get contact and auto insurance information for the driver that hit you.
• Get contact information of witnesses who may have seen the accident.
• Write down what happened from your vantage point, and include notes about road and traffic conditions.
• Take pictures of your injuries, bicycle, and the surrounding area where the accident happened.
• Save all your medical bills and keep track of the amount of time you missed work due to your injuries.

When a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the cyclist is often left with severe damage. This is usually because a bicycle offers no protection in a collision. As a result, the bicyclist could suffer the following types of injuries:

• Back injury
• Brain injury
• Internal bleeding
• Knee injury
• Lost limb
• Shoulder injury
• Spinal cord injury

If you take legal action against the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries, you may be able to pursue financial restitution for the following types of damages:

• Future income
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Mental anguish

Some laws limit the time the injured individual has to file a lawsuit against the at-party. The time limit is called the statute of limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the injured person must file a claim for two years from the accident date. That is why taking action as soon as possible is essential to avoid missing the window of opportunity.

If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Oakley or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, call our experienced personal injury lawyers for free, friendly advice at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400. See a list of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.26.23] Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay cha llo [cs 734]}