To maintain comfort and avoid strain, make sure your bicycle is appropriately set to your body size and riding preferences.
If you want to reduce the consequences of falls and accidents, always wear a helmet when cycling and think about wearing extra protective gear like elbow pads and gloves.
Stay alert of your surroundings when riding a bicycle. Keep an eye out for vehicles, pedestrians, and barriers on the road, and be ready to respond defensively to avoid Accidents.
Follow traffic laws and signals, including signaling turns and yielding to pedestrians. In California, Vehicle Code § 21200 gives cyclists the same rights and duties as drivers, and Vehicle Code § 21760 requires a motorist to give a cyclist at least three feet when passing. Ride in the same direction as traffic, and use designated bike lanes when available.
Check and maintain your bicycle’s components such as brakes, tires, and gears on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly. This helps to avoid mechanical problems, which could lead to accidents.
Choose routes with little traffic and well-maintained roads or bike paths whenever possible. To reduce the risk of an accident, avoid places with heavy traffic or unsafe conditions.
Use lights, reflectors, and brightly colored clothes to make yourself more visible to cars, especially when cycling in low light or at night. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you before making any movements.
If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, it’s critical to remain calm and take immediate steps to guarantee your safety and wellbeing. First, if possible, walk away from traffic to find a safe location. Check yourself and others involved for injuries, and contact emergency services if necessary. Photograph the incident and obtain contact information from any witnesses, as well as the driver’s information if a vehicle was involved. Even if you feel fine, seek medical assistance to rule out any hidden health conditions. Report the accident to the police and fill out an official report. Finally, notify your insurance carrier and consider talking with an experienced attorney to better understand your rights and choices for compensation.
In California, bicycle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to serious. Common injuries include head injury and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which are frequently caused by lacking helmet wear. Fractures are common, particularly in the arms, wrists, and collarbones, as cyclists brace themselves during falls. Road rash, which is marked by scratches. and wounds caused by sliding on roads, can require medical attention to avoid infection. Spinal injuries, which can cause long-term movement difficulties or paralysis, occur in more serious accidents.
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident and need legal assistance, Tafreshi Law Group can review what happened and explain your options. Most personal injury lawsuits in California must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). See our California bicycle accident lawyer page, our Riverside car accident lawyer page, or our Orange County car accident lawyer page. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call Inland Empire at (951) 583-1900 or Orange County at (949) 989-2511. You can also text (949) 776-8964. Consultations are free.
