Riverside County Bicycle Accident: What to Do After a Crash

Each year, thousands of bicycle accidents occur in California, many of which result in serious injuries or fatalities. Riverside County, with its growing popularity for cycling as a mode of transportation and recreation, is not immune. According to the California Active Transportation Safety Information Pages (CATSIP), Riverside County ranked 8th in California for bicycle crash statistics between 2017-2021. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Riverside County, knowing the proper steps to take can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.

Immediate Actions Following a Bicycle Accident

The moments following a bicycle accident can be overwhelming. However, your actions in these critical moments can significantly impact your health and any potential legal claims. Here’s a breakdown of what to do immediately after a crash:

Ensure Your Safety: Move yourself and your bicycle out of the flow of traffic if possible, ensuring you don’t further endanger yourself. If you are seriously injured, remain still and wait for help to arrive.
Call 911: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to call 911. A police report is an official record of the accident and can be valuable for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Emergency medical assistance should be your priority.
Seek Medical Attention: Go to the emergency room or urgent care right away. Many cyclists suffer hidden injuries like concussions or internal trauma that may not be immediately apparent. A medical professional can assess your injuries and provide necessary treatment.
Collect Information: If you are able, gather information from the other parties involved:
- Driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information
- License plate number of the vehicle
- Contact information for any witnesses
Document the Scene: Use your smartphone or camera to take photos of the accident scene, including:
- Your injuries
- Damage to your bicycle and the vehicle involved
- Road conditions or hazards that may have contributed to the accident
- The position of the bicycle and vehicle after the collision
Avoid Admitting Fault: Refrain from making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault for the accident. Stick to the facts when speaking with the police and insurance adjusters.
Contact a Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorney: Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible can help you understand your rights and options. An attorney can guide you through the legal process, protect you from insurance company tactics, and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Riverside County

Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents can shed light on liability and help prevent future incidents. Some frequent causes include:

Negligent Drivers: Many traffic accidents involving cyclists result from negligent drivers. Aggressive drivers in California often don’t leave enough space for bicyclists to safely maneuver, nor do they respect bicyclists’ rights.
Failure to Yield: Drivers failing to yield to cyclists at intersections is a common cause.
Distracted Driving: A motor vehicle operator on their phone or otherwise distracted driving and drifting into the bike lane.
Unsafe Turns: A negligent driver turning right across the bike lane and failing to signal their intent to turn to an approaching bicyclist.
Dooring: Cars drifting into bike lanes or dooring incidents (a car door opening into a cyclist’s path).
Poor Road Conditions: Roadway hazards and/or improperly maintained roads (i.e. potholes, uneven pavement, gravel, etc.).
Rider Error: Rider error (i.e. distracted riding, going too fast for conditions, etc.).

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycles offer riders very little protection from high-speed collisions with larger motor vehicles, leading to broken bones and physical pain. Common bike accident injuries include:

Head Injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur if a cyclist’s head impacts the ground or another object.
Facial Injuries: A bicycle crash can cause eye trauma and even loss of eyesight.
Broken Bones: Bicyclists may fracture the bones in their wrists, collar, feet, fingers, hands, or legs, as these areas are typically unprotected.
Spinal Cord Injuries: In severe bike crash cases, spinal cord damage can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Road Rash: Often referred to as road rash, these superficial injuries occur when skin scrapes against the pavement.
Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma, falls, broken bones, and other conditions could lead to internal bleeding in the body.

California Bicycle Laws: What You Need to Know

Bicyclists in California are governed by the same rules of the road as motor vehicle drivers, with some specific exceptions. Understanding these laws is crucial for cyclist safety and determining liability in an accident. Here are some key California bicycle laws:

Rights and Responsibilities: For the most part, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers (VEH 21200).
Helmets: Bicyclists and bicycle passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet when riding on a bicycle.
Impairment: Bicyclists may not ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Where to Ride: The law says that people who ride bikes must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
Lights and Reflectors: At night, the following must be attached to the bicycle or bicyclist: a white headlight visible from the front, a red reflector or a red light with a built in reflector (can be solid of flashing) visible from the rear, a white or yellow reflector on each pedal or on the bicyclist’s shoes or ankles that is visible from the front and the rear and a white or yellow reflector on the front half of the bicycle, and a red or white reflector on each side of the back half of the bicycle.
Crossing: Effective on January 1, 2024, California Bill AB 1909, states that bicyclists in California are now permitted to cross whenever pedestrians are.

Understanding Negligence and Liability

In California, you can pursue a personal injury claim if another party’s negligence caused your bicycle accident. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. In bicycle accident cases, negligence can take many forms, such as a driver:

Violating traffic laws
Driving under the influence
Driving while distracted
Failing to maintain their vehicle

To win a personal injury claim, you must prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records can help establish negligence and liability.

Compensation for Your Injuries

If you’ve been injured in a Riverside County bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:

Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical bills, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, and medication.
Lost Wages: You can recover lost income if your injuries prevent you from working.
Pain and Suffering: You can be compensated for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
Property Damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged bicycle and other personal property.

Statute of Limitations

It’s important to be aware of the statute of limitations, which sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it’s best to consult with an attorney to determine the applicable deadline in your case.

How a Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Navigating the aftermath of a bicycle accident can be complex and overwhelming. A Riverside bicycle accident attorney can provide valuable assistance by:

Investigating the Accident: Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the accident scene to determine liability.
Dealing with Insurance Companies: Communicating with insurance adjusters, negotiating settlements, and protecting your rights.
Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Maximizing Compensation: An experienced attorney can assess the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Conclusion

If you’ve been involved in a Riverside County bicycle accident, taking the right steps immediately following the crash is crucial. Protect your health, gather evidence, and consult with an experienced attorney to understand your rights and options. By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of recovering fair compensation for your injuries and moving forward with your life.