If you or a family member was hurt in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Call our West Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

When bicycle accidents happen, a cyclist can experience serious injuries. Legal representation is necessary for several reasons:

• A biker’s inability to fight for themselves due to injury
• Evidence at the site can disappear quickly
• Witness memory may fade
• Medical bills mount
• Wages are lost
• Insurance companies undercut claims

West Sacramento has a history of bicycle accidents, particularly along West Capitol Avenue. According to the Office of Traffic Safety, 19 West Sacramento cyclists were injured or killed in 2015, and this places West Sacramento 28th out of 105 cities of similar size in California. Two of the cyclists were under 15.

Several streets and intersections are known for accidents. These include:

• West Capitol Avenue: 2 bicyclists were killed, including a collision between a garbage truck and a UC Davis professor in 2016
• Jefferson Blvd: 92-year-old man killed by a car while crossing with a bicycle
• The intersection of West Capitol Ave and Jefferson Boulevard: The scene of many accidents

In 2013, West Sacramento established a Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Plan to keep people safe. To do this, West Sacramento elected to work on ways to make sure bicyclists and pedestrians had safe passage around the city. This entails widening and installing bicycle lanes.

One of the plan’s most extensive parts was establishing the Sycamore Trail Pedestrian Overcrossing. This will be used to allow safe passage from the areas of the north and south parts of the city. The city was funded $5.1 million to build a path for pedestrians and bicyclists bridging Route 50 from Westmore Oaks Elementary School to Joey Lopes Park. Other projects to allow for safe bicycling and walking include:

• Clarksburg Branch Line Trail
• Linden Loop Road Diet in an area west of Jefferson Blvd.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety said that more cyclists are killed in urban areas (71 percent) than in non-urban areas, with more on major (59 percent) rather than minor roads (32 percent). Individuals under 20 years old died more often on minor roads. While 36 percent of bicyclists are killed at intersections, even more are killed at non-intersections (64 percent). The period May through September held the most deaths.

Helmets are mandatory for cyclists under 18. Older riders are encouraged to do so, but it is not mandatory. Overall, for cyclists killed in 2016, 51 percent did not wear a helmet. Sixteen percent did wear a helmet, and 33 percent were unknown. If you buy a helmet, ensure it fits the way it should. Make sure the helmet fits snugly but not too tight. When it is worn level on the head, it should be two finger-widths above your eyebrows. The strap, when worn, should form a “v” around your ears, fastened snugly under your chin. You should not be able to get more than one finger under the strap.

More bicyclists over 20 years of age (87 percent) are killed than those 20 and under. More males (85 percent) were killed than females.

Drinking is common among both motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists. Roughly 22 percent of cyclists who die in crashes have an elevated blood alcohol concentration. Younger and middle-aged riders more commonly drink. If you ride a bicycle while drunk in California, you can be arrested for cycling under the influence (CUI). This is punishable under Vehicle Code section 21200.5 with a fine, and it is also a misdemeanor. Bicyclists who are under 21 and get a CUI may have their motor vehicle license suspended.

Although West Sacramento is trying to increase safety, accidents still happen. Bicycle crashes occur due to:

• A cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle (30 percent)
• The road is in bad condition (13 percent)
• Rider error (13 percent)
• Bicyclist falls from the bike (17 percent)
• Dog causes an accident (4 percent)
• Bicycle crashes into an object (7 percent)

There are times when the bicycle itself is at fault. A few of the most common defects include brakes and wheels. On occasion, the hubs on the front wheels are defective. Whatever the reason, you can be compensated if the bicycle design resulted in a defect or if the manufacturing process was to blame. In California, your bicycle accident lawyer must show that the bicycle was defective and that you were using it properly. Due to a strict liability doctrine in California, you do not need to prove negligence.

Watch the bike safety video below for tips on safe cycling.

If you were hurt or if a family member died due to negligence in a bicycle accident, you will need the guidance of an experienced West Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. We can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury lawyers will provide free, friendly advice about your bicycle accident. 

We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees upfront, and we only get paid for the successful outcome of your case. So why not call today? It is free to talk to us. See our past verdicts and settlements.

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