If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Roseville, California, you may be facing serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and a difficult path to recovery. Unlike drivers who are protected by airbags and seatbelts, cyclists are often left vulnerable to catastrophic injuries that can result in life long injuries.
At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, our firm understands the unique challenges bicycle accident victims face. From insurance companies attempting to blame cyclists for crashes to settlement offers that fail to account for long-term medical care, our legal team has seen them all and are prepared to give their clients the legal representation they deserve.
Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Why Bicycle Accidents Are Common in Roseville
Roseville continues to experience significant residential and commercial growth, leading to increased vehicle traffic throughout the city. While the city has invested in bicycle infrastructure and recreational pathways, cyclists still face considerable risks when sharing the road with distracted, speeding, or negligent drivers.
Several areas throughout Roseville see heavy traffic volumes and can be particularly dangerous for bicyclists, including:
Douglas Boulevard
Sunrise Avenue
Pleasant Grove Boulevard
Blue Oaks Boulevard
Foothills Boulevard
Washington Boulevard
Eureka Road
Junction Boulevard
Galleria Boulevard
Interstate 80 interchange areas
As traffic congestion increases, drivers may fail to yield, make unsafe lane changes, or make other negligent driving decisions that can create dangerous conditions for cyclists.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Roseville
As most bicycle accidents are preventable in Roseville, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that the most common causes are associated when a motorist fails to exercise reasonable care. To be more specific, some of the most common causes of Roseville bicycle accidents include:
Distracted Driving- Drivers who text, use GPS systems, browse social media, or otherwise divert their attention from the roadway may fail to see cyclists until it is too late.
Failure to Yield- Many bicycle crashes occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections, driveways, or crosswalks.
Unsafe Left-Hand Turns- Motorists making left turns frequently misjudge a cyclist's speed or fail to notice them altogether.
Dooring Accidents- Dooring accidents happen when a driver or passenger opens a parked vehicle's door directly into the path of an approaching cyclist.
Speeding- Higher vehicle speeds significantly increase the likelihood of severe or fatal bicycle accident injuries.
Drunk or Drug-Impaired Driving- Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and diminished judgment, making them particularly dangerous to vulnerable road users.
Unsafe Lane Changes- Drivers who fail to check blind spots before merging may strike cyclists traveling alongside them.
Road Hazards- Poorly maintained roadways, potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and defective bicycle lanes can also contribute to serious accidents.
California Bicycle Laws That May Impact Your Claim
California law grants bicyclists many of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators. Drivers must safely share the roadway with cyclists and exercise reasonable caution at all times. With that in mind, several California laws commonly arise in bicycle accident cases, including:
California's Three Feet for Safety Act
The California's Three Feet for Safety Act requires drivers to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists. If changing lanes is impossible, drivers must slow down to a safe speed and only pass when it will not endanger the cyclist. If a driver violates the law and strikes/injures a bicyclist, the driver will be fined $220 and any other damages the cyclist claims in a personal injury lawsuit.
Right-of-Way Laws
Drivers must yield to all pedestrians and bicyclists when required in accordance with California traffic laws. No matter what the severity of the incident, if a driver negligently disregarded the state’s right-of-way laws, they may be held liable in the event of a bicycle collision.
Comparative Negligence
Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still recover compensation under California's comparative negligence rules. However, recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault and insurance companies often attempt to exploit this law to shift blame onto injured cyclists and to minimize the settlement.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for any out-of-pocket costs you have accrued as a result of the accident. However, in most cases, accident victims can recover calculable financial costs such as medical bills, lost income, property damage, and physical therapy costs. On top of that, accident victims can recover subjective damages that impacted their quality of life such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical impairment, and permanent disability.
What To Do After a Bicycle Accident in Roseville
The steps you take after a bicycle collision can significantly impact your health and the overall strength of your legal claim. While it is completely understandable to feel shaken up or preoccupied with more concerning matters, it is still important to at least do the following things.
Call 911 and request emergency assistance.
Obtain medical treatment immediately.
Report the accident to law enforcement.
Take photographs of the scene, bicycle, vehicle, and injuries.
Collect witness contact information.
Preserve damaged equipment and clothing.
Avoid discussing fault with insurance adjusters.
Contact a bicycle accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer.
Why Should I Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
Hiring a bicycle accident attorney is one of the most important and reassuring things a person can do to ensure their chances of recovering fair compensation and holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. While it is possible to file a personal injury claim on your own, it is highly discouraged to do so unless you are very familiar with the legal process.
The main reason being is that filing a personal injury claim requires a strong understanding of state and county laws and the ability to gather evidence and file it in a concise and orderly manner. Depending on the severity of the accident, injured bicyclists may not either have the time or ability to do so, which signifies the importance of hiring legal counsel.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?
Most personal injury lawyers and law firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning the accident victim would not pay any fees on the condition that their attorney either wins their case or recovers a sizable settlement offer that fairly addresses all damages.
Should the attorney manage to achieve either scenario, they will collect their legal fees through a flat percentage of the total earnings and this rate can be discussed before they start working on your case. With everything in consideration, it is recommended to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can provide you answers and the legal guidance you need during this time.
Contact a Roseville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Roseville, do not wait to seek legal guidance. As critical evidence can disappear quickly and California law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim, taking prompt legal action is vital to ensure your chances of holding negligent parties accountable. At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys have the experience to hold people accountable and to get you the fair compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our Firm?
Our attorneys not only have extensive experience representing injury victims throughout Northern California, we understand the tactics insurance companies use and know how to build strong cases supported by evidence, expert testimony, and detailed damage calculations.
When you hire our firm, you hire dedicated legal advocates who will watch out for your best interests. On top of it all, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.