Bicycles are all over the road in California, which unfortunately means a bicycle accident can happen at any time. While we often hear of bike accidents that involve cars, trucks, or pedestrians, getting into an accident with another cyclist can occur just as often. If you have been in an accident with another cyclist in California, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have sustained.

Bicycle accident personal injury cases can seem tricky because, unlike your average car or truck accident, bicyclists are not required to operate with insurance. And without regulations like speed limits and mandatory vehicle inspections, determining one bicyclist’s fault over the other may seem like a challenge. But everyone who shares the road – from big tractor-trailers to pedestrians in a crosswalk – all share a duty of care to other travelers. If a bicyclist was riding negligently, recklessly, or otherwise breached this duty of care at your expense, you have every right to seek compensation to cover the cost of your injuries. A personal injury claim may be your best option.

Even if your injuries seem minor after this unique type of crash, our lawyers at The Accident Network Law Group encourage that you take steps to gather evidence and other information to support an eventual bike accident claim. You have the right to seek damages, and shouldn’t have to suffer the cost of your medical care if the accident wasn’t fully, or even partially your fault.

How Can I Determine Who’s At Fault After A Bicycle Accident?

Evidence is key in any personal injury accident lawsuit, including those regarding bicycle accidents. Getting medical care immediately upon getting hurt is always the first step you should take, as being safe and healthy is of the utmost importance in any situation. But collecting evidence at the scene of the accident is essential to building a strong bicycle accident case in California and, with enough evidence, your lawyer can help you prove the accident was not your fault.

After getting into an accident with another cyclist, speak to any witnesses that may be around. Be sure to document their testimonies as best as possible and get their contact information as well. The more testimonies you have from those who witnessed what happened, the better. It is helpful to have eyewitness accounts that support your attestation that the other bicyclist was at fault, and that can help paint the picture of how the accident occurred in the first place.

Bicyclists have rules they must follow on the road, just like other drivers and pedestrians. For example, on a roadway with a bike lane, bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use the bike lane except when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazardous conditions, or approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. If this rule is broken, the negligent bicyclist may be held at fault for the accident. Always take photos at the scene of the accident, such as photos of the bicycle lane, traffic signs, and evidence of the damage done to your persona and bicycle. This will all help prove fault come your day in court.

How Can I Receive Compensation After A Bicycle Accident With Another Cyclist?

After getting into any kind of accident, you need to contact a lawyer. The only way to receive compensation after a bicycle accident may be to file a bicycle accident claim, which is best executed with the help of a lawyer. Since bicycles do not require insurance, you may be worried and wondering just who will be responsible for paying out damages after your bicycle accident, and how the process will be executed.

In some cases, you might be able to get compensation for your injuries from the at-fault cyclist’s renters’ or homeowners insurance. Sometimes, but not always, these insurance policies include liability coverage for injuries and damages caused by the policyholder in these unique circumstances, such as your bicycle accident. But in the event that you cannot receive compensation from the bicyclist’s insurance for whatever reason, a personal injury claim may be your strongest option.

Generally, for circumstances where even the smallest parts of your life are impacted by an injury sustained in a bicycle accident, our bicycle accident attorneys can seek damages on behalf of the pain and suffering you have gone through, present and future lost wages, and expensive medical bills you have and will continue to accrue. Bicycle accidents happen every day, and many injured cyclists miss out on the compensation they deserve because they fail to realize they may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the other cyclist. With the help of a lawyer, you can demonstrate the other cyclist’s negligence and defend your right to earn compensation that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and even sometimes, your pain and suffering.

Can I Hire A Lawyer After A Bicycle Accident?

The statutes that govern bicycle law in California may seem hazy in comparison to the strict rules and regulations in place for car and truck accidents. But rest assured that you as a bicyclist are entitled to all the same legal protection as any other traveler or pedestrian and that our lawyers have experience with cases just like yours. You can absolutely hire a lawyer after a bicycle accident, and it is wise to do so. You have the right to seek compensation after getting hit by another cyclist in California, and our team of attorneys will help you every step of the way.

Our team of bicycle accident attorneys at The Accident Network Law Group can help solve your problems by fighting and negotiating with insurance companies to maximize the possible settlement you will be paid out. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident with another cyclist in California, contact The Accident Network Law Group as soon as possible.

We offer a free consultation to any bicycle accident victim in California. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with bicycle accident attorneys at The Accident Network Law Group call our law office at (951) 291-0976 or send us an email at info@accidentnetwork.com.