A Riverside bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase offers superior representation when you or a loved one suffer injuries due to a bike crash.
Our law firm offers a contingency fee basis for your case, meaning that you will not pay if we do not win your case. There are no upfront fees until the case is won. We shield you from liability by also requesting medical liens from your providers until the case is over.
Cyclists are vulnerable, riding alongside fast-moving cars and trucks that have the potential to cause extreme damage in the event of a collision. All manner of hazards can put riders at risk, from potholes and poorly maintained roads to distracted drivers.
Many bicycle accidents will throw a rider off their bike, making severe and even fatal injuries common. When an accident occurs due to another person’s negligence, you need a personal injury attorney in Riverside on your side.
Contact Bisnar Chase for a free consultation today and take the first step toward recovering the maximum compensation you deserve. Call (951) 530-3711 or submit a query online.
Riverside Bicycle Accident Lawyers
How Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Riverside?
There are plenty of potential causes of bicycle accidents in Riverside and across the Inland Empire area.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
- Distracted driving: When a vehicle driver causes an accident because they are not focused on the road.
- Reckless driving: When a motorist is speeding, flouting the rules of the road, not leaving enough room for cyclists, or driving carelessly.
- Cyclist error: In some cases, a collision will be caused by poor decisions or maneuvering on the part of the bicyclist.
- Poor road conditions: A cracked, broken, or potholed roadway can be very dangerous for cyclists. Poor road design and a lack of signage or bike lanes can also create risks.
- Weather: Slippery conditions or poor visibility can also make it much more likely for a crash to occur involving a bicyclist.
Other Common Bicycle Accident Injury Causes
- Collisions with other vehicles
- Hitting objects on the road
- Falling off the bicycle
- Bicycle malfunction
- Not paying attention to your surroundings
- Riding in traffic
- Riding at night
- Riding on wet or icy roads
- Riding on rough or uneven surfaces
- Not wearing a helmet
- Not using proper safety equipment
- Not following the rules of the road
Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Technically, anyone can file a claim with an insurance company, negotiate over sub-par offers, or even make a case in court. But we do not advise it.
Of course, we have a vested interest in this. But the statistics show that working with a lawyer is the best way to maximize the value of your claim.
Even a relatively straightforward case involving a car hitting your bike can become an ordeal once an insurance company or legal defense team gets involved. But a skilled Riverside bicycle accident lawyer will handle every aspect of the case for you. Depending on the nature of the case, that can include:
- Filing all necessary paperwork on time.
- Conducting negotiations.
- Collecting evidence and building your case.
- Helping to arrange medical care.
- Working with witnesses and securing expert testimonies.
- Arrange for a Riverside bicycle accident reconstruction expert if necessary.
- Arguing your case in court if required.
- Advancing all costs required to win your case.
Legal claims can be a nightmare if you do not know what you are doing. But a top Riverside bike injury attorney at Bisnar Chase will be able to ease the burden so that you can focus on recovery.
Most importantly, our team has been there and seen it all. We have taken on bicycle accident claims with top results and know what is needed to win your case. Work with us and ensure nothing is left to chance.
Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics
Bicycle accidents are shockingly common in California, including in the Riverside area. You do not need to take our word for it; the numbers have been analyzed to produce injury and fatality statistics for every county in California.
How Common are Cycling Crashes?
The studies show:
- Riverside County is in the top 8 most dangerous counties for cyclists in California.
- There were 1,608 bicycle accidents involving injuries in Riverside from 2017-2021.
- Over that same period, there were 48,370 bicycle accidents in total in California – an average of nearly 10,000 per year.
- Riverside had the fight-highest fatality rate, with 43 cyclist deaths from 2017-2021.
- Bicycle accident rates are rising nationwide, but the California numbers are rising quicker than the national average.
What To Do After a Bike Accident in Riverside
Being involved in an accident can be traumatic and disorientating. You need to know how to handle the situation, both to protect your own health and to help your chances of success with a subsequent lawsuit.
Follow our advice below to ensure you are fully prepared. If the accident just happened and you are still at the scene…- Call 911: If you have suffered an injury, seek medical help immediately.
- File a police report: Having an official police report filed will be necessary for your injury claim. Your lawyer will use the information in the report to help build your case.
- Collect evidence: If you are well enough to do so, take pictures and video of the scene, including your bike, the vehicle that hit you, and your injuries.
- Speak to witnesses: Collect contact details for any witnesses.
- Preserve your bike: If possible, ensure your bike is taken to a safe place, even if it is damaged.
- No statements: You can make an official statement to the police, but do not discuss fault with anyone else.
TIP: If you are badly hurt and unable to take these steps, you could ask someone at the scene for help collecting evidence.
If the accident has already happened and you are now looking at your options…
- Get treatment: You should visit a doctor for medical attention, even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. Report any pain or discomfort you are feeling, and follow medical advice.
- No statements: If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you, tell them you wish to speak to a lawyer before making a statement. Do not admit any fault.
- Contact an attorney: The most important step you can take is to contact a Riverside bicycle accident lawyer.
At Bisnar Chase, we have handled Riverside bicycle accident cases with great success. Follow the steps we have outlined above, and work with our team for the best possible results.
Determining Liability and Gathering Evidence
Our Riverside bicycle accident attorneys will work with you to identify the liable parties and build a clear and comprehensive case.
Somebody will be liable for your injuries if:
- They owed you a duty of care.
- They were negligent in that duty of care.
- Their actions at least partially caused your injuries.
For example, drivers owe bicycle riders a duty of care. They must leave enough space and time for cyclists to ride without fear of collisions. At Bisnar Chase, we take on claims in which a cyclist has suffered harm due to somebody else’s negligence.
Bicycle Accident Liability
The most common liable parties include:
- Drivers of cars, trucks, and other large vehicles: In most cases, bicycle accidents are the result of a car accident involving a collision with a cyclist. Driver negligence includes all kinds of actions, including speeding, DUI, driving in cycling lanes, ignoring stop signs and red lights, and much more.
- Pedestrians and cyclists: Pedestrians sometimes do not take proper care, while cyclists can also ride recklessly.
- City authorities: If a bicycle accident is caused by a badly designed intersection or poor road maintenance, the authority responsible for the area could be held liable.
An experienced Riverside bicycle accident attorney will prove your case. To do so, we can assemble evidence, including pictures and video from the scene of the accident, witness testimonies, expert testimonies and accident reconstructions, expert bike analysis, official police and medical reports, and more.
The evidence must show that negligence occurred and was responsible for your injuries. By building a comprehensive claim for you, we make your victory more assured and increase the compensation you can hope to receive.
Bicycle Crash Injuries in Riverside
We have seen far too many examples of bicycle accident victims suffering serious injuries. The nature of a bike crash lends itself to violent collisions and significant impacts, in which the cyclist will always come off worse. Typical bicycle accident injuries include:
- Bruises, scrapes, and road rash.
- Broken bones.
- Head injuries.
- Nerve damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and spinal cord injuries.
An injured cyclist can sustain catastrophic injuries from the initial impact of a vehicle. But they are also often thrown from their bikes, resulting in additional injuries as they fall and scrape along the road surface. In extreme cases, they may also be run over by a vehicle after falling.
Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing the legal support and guidance you need after a crash. Contact us for help with your Riverside bicycle accident case today for a free legal consultation.
Cyclist Fatalities
The violent and high-impact nature of a cycling accident means a rider’s chances of suffering fatal injuries are high. When bicycle accident fatalities occur, the surviving family members of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death claim. A lawsuit cannot bring a loved one back.
But a bicycle accident claim involving wrongful death in Riverside can secure compensation for loss of financial support, love, companionship, mentorship, and much more. Close family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, etc., typically file this type of lawsuit.
Dealing with an Insurance Company
When dealing with Riverside bicycle accident injuries, the first step for your legal team is often to contact the insurers of the at-fault driver.
The majority of negligent drivers who cause bike accidents also have insurance, as is legally required. In these cases, and depending on the nature and severity of your accident, the compensation you receive may be paid through the insurance policy of the negligent driver.
However, insurance agencies are not in the habit of freely handing out cash. They often use tactics and strategies to minimize your claim.
Bicycle Accident Insurance Claims
These insurer tactics might include asking to record any conversations you have with them and seeking to have you admit to some element of fault on the record. They also routinely cast doubts over the severity of a victim’s injuries, sometimes even browsing the social media accounts of the accident victim in a bid to discredit them.
Insurance agents are trained to do this. That is why we strongly advise bike riders who have suffered injuries to contact a bicycle accident lawyer to carry out these negotiations.
At Bisnar Chase, our attorneys do not take no for an answer from insurance companies. Some cyclists choose to take out personal injury insurance policies to protect themselves while cycling.
This can help you secure fair compensation if the cause of the accident was not cut and dried, or if an offending motorist did not have insurance.
Please note that the same logic applies. Even your own insurers will not be eager to pay out, and our Riverside bicycle accident lawyers can still help you in this scenario.
What If You Are Injured in a Hit-and-Run?
The number of drivers who crash into cyclists and then flee from the scene without stopping is rising all the time. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in car collisions, so the spike that we are seeing in hit-and-runs is worrying.
Drivers flee after an accident for many reasons. Some have been drinking and fear a DUI, while others might not have a valid license or insurance. But in most cases, the driver will simply panic and leave in the hope of avoiding consequences. But this only makes the situation worse for them if and when they are caught.
When you are involved in a cycling accident involving a hit-and-run driver, it makes it harder to secure the compensation you deserve. However, you may still have options. Our Riverside hit-and-run lawyers are experts when it comes to this type of accident. If there is a path to justice, we will find it.
Negotiating a Settlement vs. Taking Your Case to Trial
After you are involved in a bike accident in Riverside, there are different stages of legal action.
First comes a period called pre-litigation. This involves our team of experts investigating and preparing your case. We will also file a claim and negotiate with the insurance company (if applicable). If we secure a fair offer from the insurance company, there may be no need to go further.
However, in many cases – particularly those involving serious accidents and injuries – a satisfactory offer may not be forthcoming. Here, we would enter formal litigation and file a lawsuit against the negligent party.
Once we enter litigation, we can still negotiate a settlement. But we will also prepare to go to court for a jury trial. At Bisnar Chase, our team is made up of experienced trial lawyers who will take your case all the way when necessary.
There are pros and cons to settlements and trials. Settlements are safer and come without the considerable costs involved with going to trial. Trials are expensive and unpredictable, but a verdict often produces more compensation.
Our attorneys are experts and will guide you on the best course of action for your Riverside bicycle accident case. We work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay unless we win for you – also known as no win, no fee.
What is The Process of a Bike Insurance Claim?
The process of a bike accident claim can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the accident. Generally, it involves several steps, including:
Seeking medical attention: The first priority after a bike accident is to seek medical attention for any injuries sustained.
Gathering evidence: It’s important to gather as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene, the names and contact information of any witnesses, and any police reports.
Contacting insurance companies: Contact your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company to report the accident and begin the claims process.
Determining liability: Liability needs to be established, which means determining who was at fault for the accident.
Negotiating a settlement: Once liability is established, insurance companies may negotiate a settlement to compensate for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Filing a lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, the injured party may file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Trial and judgment: If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine the outcome and award damages if appropriate.
Overall, navigating a bike accident claim can be complex and time-consuming, which is why it’s important to seek the help of a qualified Riverside bicycle injury attorney to guide you through the process.
Fair Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in Riverside
As with any personal injury case, the amount of money you could receive through a bicycle accident claim payout will depend on a few factors, such as the nature of the accident, the severity of your injuries, and how it impacts you.
Through a settlement or verdict, we can recover compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses.
- The costs of surgeries, ongoing treatments, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages.
- Compromised ability to work.
- Property damage.
These are all economic damages in quantifiable amounts. For example, we can present your medical bills to show exactly what the accident has cost you.
But we may also be able to secure compensation for non-economic factors, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional toil, and punitive damages designed to punish the offender. Work with a Riverside bicycle accident attorney at Bisnar Chase to maximize the value of your injury claim.
Can a Cyclist Be at Fault for the Accident?
Mutual fault in a bike accident occurs when both parties involved share some degree of responsibility for the accident. Comparative negligence is a legal concept used to determine liability when both parties are partially at fault.
In states that follow comparative negligence laws, the damages awarded to an injured party are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them. For example, if a cyclist is found to be 30% at fault for an accident, their damages award will be reduced by 30%.
California Laws for Cyclists and Drivers
California law sets out regulations to keep cyclists safe on the roads in and around Riverside. Some of the most relevant laws for Southern California cyclists include:
- Riders aged under 18 must wear a helmet.
- Cyclists should ride in the same direction as traffic. They must keep right, except when overtaking, avoiding obstructions, or making a legal left turn.
- A bicyclist is legally allowed to ‘take the lane’ sometimes. This means that a driver must treat the bike as another vehicle on the road.
- Bike riders are allowed to move out of the protected bike lanes.
- Cyclists must observe the same rules as motorists regarding stop signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, etc.
- Drivers must stop when involved in traffic accidents with cyclists. To leave the accident scene is a hit-and-run.
Riverside bicycle accidents can be deadly, and it is important that you know your rights as a cyclist.
California personal injury law provides you with 2 years to file your claim so it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights for a personal injury claim.
Bicycle Safety Information and Advice
Drivers should take care of and respect cyclists on the roads. But that does not always happen. Here are some of our top cycling safety tips for riders:
- Follow bicycle helmet regulations and use a properly fitted helmet at all times. It will not prevent an accident, but it could save your life.
- Ensure your bike is in good working order. Check your brakes and tires.
- Be as visible as possible to drivers. Use lights at night, and wear reflective gear.
- Follow the rules of the road and always look before turning.
- Stay alert. Be aware of what traffic is doing around you. You can’t always trust drivers to do the same.
Unfortunately, no amount of bicycle accident prevention tips can prevent all collisions. Contact a Riverside bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase for a free consultation and guidance after a crash.
Examples of Bike Collisions in Riverside
The following are just some examples of recent incidents in and around Riverside.
- Cyclist Struck and Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver: A 48-year-old man was cycling near Indiana Avenue and La Sierra Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle. It happened just after 10 pm one night in July 2022. The driver fled the scene but was later arrested. The victim tragically died from his injuries.
- Teenager Killed in Bicycle Collision: A 15-year-old boy suffered catastrophic injuries after being struck by an SUV while cycling. The crash happened near the intersection of Main Street and Poplar Street in March 2022. The vehicle did not stop, but police later found and arrested a 37-year-old man after viewing surveillance footage of the crash.
Riverside Bicycle Accident FAQs
Consult our frequently asked questions below, and please contact us if you need any further information.
Do cyclists have right of way over cars?
According to California law, a bike should be treated like a car when riding on the road regarding the right of way. Drivers must also yield to cyclists in a bike lane (for example, when the car needs to make a right turn).
What happens when you hit someone on a bike with your car?
This constitutes a bicycle accident. The driver must stop at the scene and exchange details or contact emergency services if necessary. The victim may then be able to file a claim.
Can you get PTSD from a bike accident?
High-impact accidents can absolutely cause PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Victims may relive the accident, suffer anxiety, and encounter other debilitating issues due to the trauma.
How long after a bike accident can you start to feel pain?
All accidents are different. You may experience pain straight away after a bicycle crash, or it may kick in hours or even days later.
When should I go to the doctor after a bike crash?
We advise seeking medical attention as soon as you can after an accident. Even if you don’t think you have any serious injuries, it is best to visit a doctor and get checked out. The record of your medical treatment can also then be used in your legal claim.
The Introduction of E-Bikes
Electric bikes are fast becoming one of California’s top forms of transport. These upgraded bikes are powered by an electric motor and can zip along at speeds nearing 30 mph.
You can see everyone from recreational riders to commuters and schoolchildren riding e-bikes in Riverside now. But while they make for a quick and convenient mode of transport, they also carry dangers.
Electric bikes are much quicker than pedal-powered bicycles. That means that they are harder to see and more unpredictable in traffic. Any collision will also carry a higher impact.
Accidents involving e-bikes make up a fast-rising portion of the bicycle accident cases we see. Please stay vigilant and contact us if you suffer injuries while riding an electric bike.
Best Riverside Bicycle Accident Lawyers Near Me
There are hazards everywhere for people riding bikes in and around Riverside. From abruptly opening car doors into the path of a cyclist, to a motor vehicle veering into a bike lane and causing a collision, the roads can be dangerous.
When the worst happens, you need a skilled professional on your side. But be sure to choose the right attorney for your case. You need a legal team with experience and specialized knowledge. The best choice will be a lawyer who has successfully handled bicycle accident claims and feels like a good fit for you.
Top-Rated Law Firm Winning Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
Bisnar Chase has a 99% success rate. We have been in business since 1978, handling all manner of personal injury claims, including bike accidents. Our firm has won more than $900 million for our clients and takes pride in being able to fight for justice.
We have an office in Riverside and know the local courts well. Please check out our online reviews if you need testimonials for our work, and contact us for a free consultation when you are ready.
Contact a Riverside bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase by calling (951) 530-3711, or use the contact form on our website to send us an email. You can also use our website live chat for 24/7 assistance.
