Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Bernardino, CA

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, and it’s essential to know your legal rights if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident. If you’ve been in a bicycle accident, it’s crucial to speak with a qualified bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Dominguez Firm has over 35 years of experience helping bicycle accident victims, and they boast a 96%* success rate with over $1 Billion* recovered for injured clients.

Call us for a FREE consultation regarding your bicycle accident claim today at (800) 818-1818.

Bicyclists Are Never Safe from Negligent Drivers

As a bicyclist, you are never safe from the dangers of negligent drivers. Even when you follow all the rules of the road and take every precaution, there is always the possibility that a driver will make a mistake that could put you in grave danger. If you are hit by a car while riding your bike, it is essential to know what to do to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries in collisions with cars. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 130,000 people were injured in bicycle-related accidents in 2022. Of those injured, nearly 1,000 die. 

Most bicyclist fatalities occur when a bicycle and a car collide at an intersection or when a car turns into the path of a bicycle. These types of bicycle accidents are usually caused by driver error, such as failing to yield the right-of-way or turning without looking. In many cases, careless or distracted driving is to blame. 

What to Do If You Are Hit by a Car 

If you are involved in a bicycle accident that involves a vehicle striking you, there are some important steps you should take: 

1. Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Some bicycle accident injuries, such as concussions, may not be immediately apparent. 
2. Call the police and file a report. Be sure to get the other driver’s insurance information. 
3. Take photos of the scene of the bicycle accident, your injuries, and any damage to your bike. 
4. Get witness statements if possible. 
5. Contact an experienced San Bernardino bicycle accident attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure your rights are protected. 

Why Do Bicyclists Get in Accidents?

There are many reasons why car-bicycle accidents happen. The most common cause is driver error or negligence. Other causes include defective bicycle equipment, bad road conditions, and weather. Here are some of the careless actions that vehicle drivers take that put bicycle riders in danger:

Not yielding the right of way

Vehicle drivers should yield the right of way to bicyclists when turning, changing lanes, or passing.

Failing to look carefully

Drivers should always look for bicycle riders before turning or changing lanes. They should also use their mirrors and blind spot checks to ensure it is safe to pass a bicyclist. 

Speeding

Speeding increases the distance needed to stop and makes it more difficult for drivers to see and react to bicyclists on the road. 

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Drinking and driving is never a good idea. Illegal and prescription drugs can also impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. 

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. Common distractions include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, fiddling with the stereo or navigation system, daydreaming, and fatigue.

While all of these activities are dangerous when behind the wheel of a car, they are especially dangerous when sharing the road with bicyclists because bicycles are small and less visible than cars. Drivers not paying attention may not see a bicycle until it’s too late to avoid an accident.

What a Skilled San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Attorney Will Do For You

If you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A skilled bike accident lawyer will first investigate the accident to determine who was at fault. If the driver of the car that hit you was at fault, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or the driver’s insurance company. 

If you share part of the blame for your bicycle accident, you can still file a claim because California is a comparative negligence state. That means a court will determine your percentage of fault and subtract it from your final compensation. For example, if you were awarded $1 million but were deemed to be 30% (-$300,000) to blame for your San Bernardino bicycle accident, you would receive $700,000. 

If something about the road or the bicycle contributed to the accident, you may still have a bicycle accident case. For example, if you were hit by a car because there was no shoulder on the road for you to ride on, you may be able to sue the government entity responsible for maintaining the road. 

Once your personal injury lawyer determines fault, they will gather evidence to support your bicycle accident claim. This evidence may include witness statements, photos of the accident scene, and your medical records. Your lawyer will use this evidence to build a strong bicycle accident case to maximize compensation. 

A skilled bicycle accident lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation. 

Top Rated San Bernardino Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to speak with an expert bicycle accident lawyer. A skilled San Bernardino bicycle accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your accident injuries. The Dominguez Firm has over 35 years of experience and a 96%* success rate. Contact us today for a free consultation at (800) 818-1818.