A bicycle accident can change a person’s life in seconds. Unlike drivers and passengers who are protected by seatbelts, airbags, and vehicle frames, cyclists often absorb the full force of a collision and suffer serious injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible for compensation.
The Sacramento bicycle accident lawyers at Frank Penney Injury Lawyers represent injured cyclists throughout Sacramento and Northern California. With over 30 years of experience representing clients from all walks of life, the firm has a proven track record of helping families get the financial compensation they rightfully deserve. By hiring our team, you can rest easy knowing your case is in the right hands.
Contact our firm at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form today for a free consultation.
Why Bicycle Accident Claims Matter in Sacramento
According to a 2023 report from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,166 pedalcyclists were killed in traffic crashes and an estimated 49,989 pedalcyclists injured nationwide. However, the report revealed that in U.S. cities with populations of 500,000 or more, Sacramento had one of the highest pedalcyclist fatality rates, averaging at 1.52 pedalcyclist fatalities per 100,000 people.
Due to the alarming rate of bicycle injuries throughout the city, Sacramento has implemented a number of measures that are working towards eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. However, according to Sacramento’s Vision Zero Update, people who are walking and biking account for about one out of every three fatal and severe injury collisions and nearly one out of every two fatal collisions, highlighting that these types of accidents can happen to anyone.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Sacramento
Bicycle accidents are often blamed on the cyclist before the facts are fully investigated. In reality, many crashes are caused by factors linked to negligent and reckless behaviors. From what we have seen, here are the most common causes of Sacramento bicycle accidents:
Drivers failing to yield at intersections- Left-turn and right-turn collisions are especially common when drivers misjudge a cyclist’s speed or fail to check bike lanes before turning.
Right-hook crashes- These happen when a driver passes a cyclist and then turns right across the cyclist’s path.
Dooring accidents- A cyclist can be thrown into traffic when someone opens a parked car door without checking for approaching bike traffic.
Distracted driving- Texting, GPS use, food delivery app use, and in-car screen distractions can prevent drivers from seeing cyclists.
Speeding- Higher vehicle speeds increase both the risk of a crash and the likelihood that a cyclist will suffer catastrophic injuries.
Drunk or drugged driving- Impaired drivers may drift into bike lanes, run lights, or fail to react in time.
Poor road conditions- Potholes, uneven pavement, broken asphalt, defective drainage grates, unsafe construction zones, and missing signage can cause serious crashes.
California Bicycle Laws That May Affect a Sacramento Accident Claim
California law gives bicyclists important rights, but those rights are often misunderstood by drivers, insurance companies, and sometimes even witnesses.
Bicyclists Have the Same General Rights and Duties as Drivers
Under California Vehicle Code § 21200, a person riding a bicycle on a highway has the same rights as drivers and is subject to the same rules, except for the ones that cannot apply to bicycles by their nature. This means drivers cannot treat cyclists as if they do not belong on the road. It also means cyclists are generally expected to obey traffic signals, stop signs, right-of-way rules, and other applicable traffic laws.
Cyclists Do Not Always Have to Ride as Far Right as Possible
California Vehicle Code § 21202 says a cyclist traveling slower than traffic should ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, but it includes major exceptions. This matters because insurance companies often argue that an injured cyclist was “too far into the lane,” but in many cases, the cyclist may have been legally allowed to use more of the lane because the road was narrow, unsafe, blocked, or approaching an intersection.
Drivers Must Give Cyclists Space When Passing
California Vehicle Code § 21760, otherwise known as the Three Feet for Safety Act, requires drivers to overtake and pass a bicycle at a safe distance and prohibits passing a bicycle at a distance of less than three feet. If the driver cannot provide three feet due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and pass only when doing so will not endanger the cyclist. Violating of this law may serve as important evidence in a bicycle accident claim, especially in sideswipe crashes, near-misses that force a cyclist down, and collisions involving large vehicles.
Helmet Laws Depend on Age
California Vehicle Code § 21212 requires riders under 18 to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet while operating or riding on a bicycle. Adults are not required by this statute, but if an adult cyclist was not wearing a helmet, the insurance company may still try to use that fact against them, especially in a head injury case. A lawyer can push back against unfair arguments and require the insurer to prove that the lack of a helmet actually caused or worsened the claimed injury.
E-Bike Rules Can Affect Certain Claims
As electric bicycles are becoming more popular, any accident that involves electric bicycle cases may involve additional questions, including the e-bike class, speed capability, rider age, and whether the e-bike was modified. California law allows local authorities and certain public agencies to restrict or prohibit electric bicycles on some trails and paths, but for the most part, the rules of negligence still apply as well.
What Compensation Can an Injured Cyclist Recover?
While every claim is different, a bicycle accident victim can file a claim to recover a mix of economic and non-economic damages. However, the total value of a claim will depend on several factors such as the severity of the injuries, the amount of evidence, what insurance is available, and how the injuries affect the cyclist’s daily life.
With that in mind, any of the following can be potentially recovered in a bicycle accident claim:
Medical bills
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Chiropractic care
Quality of life adjustments
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Scarring or disfigurement
Permanent disability
Bicycle repair or replacement
Gear replacement
If a bicycle accident is fatal, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the surviving family members or the decedent’s personal representative are allowed to bring a claim for a death caused by another person’s wrongful act or neglect and recover damages such as funeral expenses, leftover medical bills, and other practical expenses.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Sacramento
The steps taken after a crash can affect medical recovery and the strength of a legal claim. While it is understandable to feel shaken up and focus on your health, it is recommended to try and do the following steps to protect your rights.
1. Call 911 and Report the Crash
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately and let first responders take control of the scene. Sacramento Police Department policy states that an accident report will be taken at the scene within the city when a person has been injured or dies, a driver is under the influence, a driver flees after a hit-and-run and the license plate is obtained, or city property is involved.
2. Preserve the Bicycle, Helmet, and Gear
Do not repair, throw away, or modify the bike, helmet, lights, camera, damaged clothing, shoes, backpack, or phone. These items may help prove impact direction, crash severity, visibility, and whether a bike defect contributed to the crash.
3. Take Photos and Videos
If it is safe and if you are physically able to, it is highly recommended to document the scene by taking photos and videos of the accident scene and anything relevant to it. So any vehicle/bicycle damage, skid marks, debris, contact info, witnesses, weather, and any defects on the road can go a long way to prove what exactly happened and who was at fault.
4. Look for Video Footage
Video footage is by far one of the strongest forms of evidence a person can obtain for a personal injury claim. Nearby homes, businesses, buses, dashcams, traffic cameras, and security systems may have captured the crash. However, many videos are overwritten quickly, so early preservation letters can make a major difference.
5. Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement Too Soon
Soon after an accident, insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to shift blame onto the cyclist. Before giving a recorded statement, signing releases, or accepting a settlement, injured cyclists should consider speaking with a lawyer.
How Insurance Works After a Bicycle Accident
Most bicycle accident claims are brought against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. California’s current minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.
However, minimum insurance may not be enough in a serious bicycle accident, because a cyclist who suffered a long-term disability may have damages far beyond the available policy limits. Should that happen, an attorney can investigate coverage, request insurance disclosures, identify additional policies, and determine whether a driver was working at the time of the crash.
How a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
A bicycle accident claim is not just about proving that a crash happened. It is about proving how it happened, who caused it, how the injuries affected the cyclist, and what compensation is legally recoverable. A Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer can help by:
Investigating the crash scene
Obtaining police reports and DMV records
Sending preservation letters for video footage
Locating witnesses
Reviewing 911 records and dispatch logs
Inspecting the bicycle and vehicle damage
Hiring accident reconstruction experts when needed
Reviewing road design and signal timing
Investigating dangerous public property claims
Determining whether a government claim is required
Identifying all available insurance policies
Handling adjuster calls and recorded statement requests
Calculating medical expenses, wage loss, and future damages
Negotiating with insurance companies
Filing a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to make a fair offer
Speak With a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle crash, injured cyclists deserve answers, but they may need help understanding who was at fault, what insurance coverage applies, and whether the settlement offer is fair. If you were injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, a Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process.
With over 30 years of experience helping injured riders throughout Sacramento, our legal team understands how impactful bicycle accidents are and committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. By hiring our team, you can rest easy knowing your case is in the right hands.
Contact our firm at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form today for a free consultation.