Bike & Car Accidents: What to Do When You’ve Been Hit by a Car in a Bike Lane Accident
The Covid-19 pandemic ignited a passion for new and old hobbies, including outdoor activities, as many Americans and Californians isolate themselves at home confined to their neighborhoods. As a result, cyclist sales and activity spiked in California cities from San Diego to Los Angeles and throughout all of California between 2020 and 2021 compared to previous years. (For legal advice on any accident on the road or at work, please call Castillo & Associates at 1-800-497-9774 or find us at www.castillolaw.us.)
Empty Bike Lanes Suddenly Occupied
Biking is not always a scenic ride through a park with time to spare smelling the flowers and taking Instagram-worthy shots. Not all riders ride for the same purpose.
For example, public transportation decreased (and even halted during lockdowns), but still, those who had to get to work were inspired to find creative means of transport. Car rentals became scarce (for those who could afford them), and Uber and other rideshare apps faced lockdown-related restrictions too. As a result, many new cyclists were born out of necessity. Especially with gas prices increasing to their highest records.
Regardless of why you ride a bike, it can be hazardous when drivers do not acknowledge and respect designated bike lanes and related laws. (You have rights! Call us today at 1-800-497-9774).
As one may assume, when a collision transpires between a car and a bicycle, the party most likely to be seriously injured is the cyclist. Regrettably, national bicyclist fatalities have risen, hitting a 25 year high in 2020. California and many cities such as San Diego, Orange County, Los Ángeles County, Coachella Valley and the Inland Empire alone has experienced a 20% increase in cyclist fatalities since 2019, with Los Angeles leading the state’s counties in total injuries and deaths. (Call us today at 1-800-497-9774 to help you).
What’s The Worst Time of Day to Ride Your Bike in California?
According to The Federal Highway Administration, the time of day with the highest fatality rate for cyclists in California is between 6 pm and 10 pm.
What to do after a Bicycling Accident with a Vehicle
- Promptly Seek Medical Care
Bike accidents can result in very serious injuries but even if you appear to be okay, it’s best to have a physician determine your injuries.
Damages from these types of accidents can show up hours (or even days) after a crash. Milder cases might look like scrapes and a possible concussion (yet still concerning). More extreme circumstances often result in bruised or broken ribs and other bones, nerve damage, internal bleeding, and worst.
Police officers will create a report of all events (a great starting point); however, promptly seeking medical attention starts building a hard copy record of injuries.
- Never settle or negotiate on the spot.
It’s best not to attempt any negotiations with the vehicle driver, as they may appear apologetic in moments following a collision, but subsequently, they will deny any wrongdoing. Drivers are well aware of State laws from The Division of Motor Vehicles regarding “sharing the road” with pedestrians and cyclists alike, especially respecting bike lanes.
As a cyclist, you should constantly be aware of your surroundings, be responsible, follow safety guidance like wearing your helmet, executing appropriate hand signals, maintaining the bike lanes, and using reflectors when riding at night.
Just as you follow these basic safety rules and bike lane laws, so should drivers– but often they do not.
- Collecting and Recording Evidence
It is prudent to take relevant photos/videos whenever possible, starting with the involved vehicle’s license plate, your injuries, and any damage to your bike. (Do this at the time of the accident if possible). Use your cell phone to video record and take pictures)
A plausible scenario; a biker may be hit and launched on impact into a nearby thicket, onto pavement, or even pinned against a telephone pole, which all may cause severe injury. Make records of all damaged property and injuries using your phone.
On keeping records, make a recording of yourself explaining (with as much clarity and detail) what transpired. The details of the event may escape you as time passes.
The above can be particularly true if you (unknowingly or subconsciously) develop unhealthy coping methods born out of trauma, such as intentionally blocking out traumatic experiences or disassociating. Dissociation is a mental block between your awareness and parts of your life that may feel too scary to remember or grasp. (We are Personal Injury & Insurance legal experts: call us at 1-800-497-9774)
A record of events holds exceptionally high importance and can be an asset to you and an accident attorney (should you wisely decide to employ one).
- Obtain a Legal Consultation with Castillo & Associates (Bike Accident Experts)
A cyclist hit by a car will typically not result in most bike riders pedaling home afterward. Even if you appear to be okay, it’s best to have a physician determine your injuries.
Damages from these types of accidents can show up hours (or even days) after a crash. Milder cases might look like scrapes and a possible concussion (yet still concerning). More extreme circumstances often result in bruised or broken ribs and other bones, nerve damage, internal bleeding, and worst.
Again, police officers will create a report of all events (a great starting point); however, promptly seeking medical attention starts building a hard copy record of injuries.
You may find yourself quickly accumulating medical bills and debt. Records of ER visits, physical therapy, and other related details and expenses can aid an experienced personal injury attorney such as Bike Accident Legal Experts Castillo & Associates in building a stable case and paving the way to complete and just compensation. We are prior Senior Insurance Claims Adjusters with Allstate Insurance, Farmers Insurance, Firemans Fund Insurance and many more with over 50 years of combined insurance experience. Call Castillo & Associates at 1-800-497-9774 for a free consultation.
If you’ve been in a bike lane-related accident, it is advisable to seek a free consultation with a proficient, respected, reputable California accident attorney with over 35 years of combined legal and insurance claims experience.
Note: Statute of Limitation— California’s statute of limitations in cycling injury claims starts when the incident occurs. You have two years to file a claim (with some exceptions). For claims involving a government entity or employee, the statute of limitation is only six months. Call us for a Free Consultation at 1-800-497-9774. We have offices throughout Southern California with a Bilingual Staff that have many years of experience. We have collected over $350 million in settlements and benefits for our clients. Si Habla Español!
Attorney Domingo Castillo handles workers’ compensation, personal injury, family law & immigration throughout Southern California from our 5 offices: Indio, Pomona, Riverside, San Diego & Cathedral City. We help clients file injury claims, obtain residency & citizenship, and we assist families through divorce, child custody and all family law matters.
