National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research indicates that over 850 bicyclists died in 2018 because of accidents between a motor vehicle and a bike. Even more bicyclists suffer catastrophic injuries because of a collision with a vehicle on the roadway.
A bicyclist has almost no protection against a motorist, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities when a bicyclist collides with a motorist. The Census Bureau reports that approximately 60 percent more people rode their bicycle to commute to work in a 12-year period, and San Francisco is no exception.
When people decide to ride bicycles as their primary form of transportation, it only increases the chance of accidents. If you suffered injuries because of a vehicle crashing into your bike, you might have the right to receive compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You might want to call the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (800) 235-0444 to learn how a San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer can help ensure your legal rights remain protected.
San Francisco Bicycle Accidents
San Francisco is one of the many cities nationwide that has increasingly adopted and embraced riding a bicycle as a form of transportation. As a result, unfortunately, more accidents involve bicyclists on the roadways. These are some of the more common bicycle accidents that occur in San Francisco and elsewhere.
Dooring Accidents
In many cases, a motorist is unaware or inattentive to their surroundings. When they stop their vehicle and open the door to get out, they fail to take reasonable steps to ensure that no bicyclists are traveling near their car. When a bicyclist runs into the open door—known as a dooring accident—it can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities because of the direct impact with an immovable car door at a high rate of speed.
Sideswiping Accidents
A motor vehicle driver might decide to change lanes or move to another area of the roadway. If the driver fails to scan the area around their vehicle or does not check their blind spots, they might sideswipe a bicyclist and cause serious injuries or deaths.
Rear-End Accidents
When a driver has their vehicle too close to a bicyclist in front of them, the motorist has less time to make a split-second decision if the cyclist comes to a sudden stop. The resulting collision could cause the bicycle rider to fly over the handlebars onto the pavement.
Left-Hand Turns
When a motorist makes a left-hand turn, they often must enter the intersection to do so safely and effectively. However, suppose a distracted or inattentive motorist moves into the intersection. In that case, they might collide with bicyclists (or pedestrians) who have the right-of-way and cross in front of them as they attempt to complete their left-hand turn. A motorist has a duty and obligation to ensure that their surroundings remain completely clear of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists before making any left-hand turns.
Human Misjudgment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 467,000 bicycle accidents resulted in injuries in 2015. Many of these accidents involving motorists and bicyclists involved simple human misjudgment. When a motorist negligently fails to ensure that their surroundings are entirely free and clear of any bicyclists, they remain liable for any injuries or losses suffered by the bicyclists.
If you or a loved one suffered any injuries because of a negligent driver colliding with a bicycle, you could consult with a San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your next steps. The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you understand your rights and formulate a plan to recover awards for your accident-related injuries. Call us today to get started.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving San Francisco, call 800-761-5225
Injuries Suffered from Bicycle Accidents
Any bicyclist involved in an accident with a motorist will likely have severe injuries. Some of these injuries could include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries to organs
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Burns or road rash
If you did not seek immediate medical attention after the accident, you should consider going to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Many injuries, such as whiplash, take hours or days to appear fully. If any of your symptoms worsen or you develop any new symptoms, you should see a healthcare provider to ensure your health receives proper attention.
Additionally, the visits you have with a healthcare provider will provide evidence of the injuries that resulted from the accident. Your medical records can serve as proof for your claims for compensation against a negligent driver.
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Wrongful Death Claims Resulting from Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, in some cases, a bicyclist suffers such severe injuries from the crash that they die. If your loved one died in a San Francisco bicycle accident because of a motorist’s negligent act on the roadways, you might have the right to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
While no amount of compensation from a settlement offer or trial award could ever replace your loved one, you likely face mounting expenses after their death, including:
- Funeral costs
- Remaining medical bills
- The loss of your loved one’s income
- Their pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium and guidance
You have a right to seek justice regarding the loss of your loved one due to someone else’s negligence. Keep in mind that Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1 sets a two-year time limit on filing a personal injury or wrongful death case, so you might want to act quickly to preserve your opportunity to pursue justice and compensation.
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Consider How a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you suffered injuries related to a bicycle accident, or your loved one died due to a bicycle accident in San Francisco, you might want to consider contacting the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Call us today at (800) 235-0444 for a free case review with a team member, during which you can discuss how a San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer could help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call or text 800-761-5225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
