Accidents involving cyclists often result in serious injuries. Whether a cyclist is knocked from their bicycle by a car or truck, or a pedestrian is struck by a fast-moving bike, someone is likely to be seriously hurt. Anyone suffering injuries in such a collision should contact a San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase now to ensure they get the compensation they deserve.
We know firsthand that bicycle accidents can be deadly. Fast-moving traffic frequently surrounds cyclists, making them vulnerable to collisions.
For victims or their families to be compensated, they may have to file a claim with an at-fault party’s insurance company or file a lawsuit. Without the right San Bernardino injury attorney on your side, it can be incredibly difficult to win this type of case.
The law firm of Bisnar Chase has been in business for more than 45 years. Our team is made up of personal injury lawyers with decades of experience in winning cases for injured plaintiffs. We have a 99% success rate and have won more than $900 million for our clients. Contact our team now for a free consultation with no obligations.
Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Bernardino
An Overview of Bicycle Accidents in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, bicycle accidents are a serious concern. A bicycle accident refers to any collision involving a bike. It could be an incident caused by a reckless cyclist, perhaps injuring a pedestrian, or with the cyclist as the victim.
In 2018, there were 985 bicycle accidents in and around the city. They resulted in 14 fatalities and 845 injuries. That means an average of more than 2.5 bicycle accidents occur in San Bernardino every day.
We will delve further into the most common causes of bike accidents on this page, but the majority result from careless, reckless, or otherwise negligent drivers.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in San Bernardino, it is important to seek help from a skilled bicycle accident attorney. A top-rated lawyer can help you get the compensation you need for your medical bills and other damages.
Your legal representative can also investigate the accident and determine who was at fault, ensuring that the responsible party is held accountable. Don’t wait to get the justice you deserve. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer in San Bernardino today for a free consultation.
The Importance of Finding the Right Lawyer for a Bicycle Accident Claim
If you have suffered injuries from a bicycle accident in the San Bernardino area in the last two years, it is important to seek legal help from a qualified bike accident attorney.
Finding the right lawyer is the key to ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. A knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney in San Bernardino will assess your case and advise you on your legal rights and options.
What Does a Bicycle Accident Attorney Do?
Your legal team can:
Provide advice and support.
Help arrange medical care and appointments with specialists as needed.
Gather evidence.
Negotiate with the insurance company.
File and lawsuit and represent you in court if necessary.
Assist with monetary collection if your case is successful.
With an experienced San Bernardino bicycle crash attorney on your side, you rest assured that your case is in good hands.
At Bisnar Chase, we do everything in our power to ensure you get justice. Contact our top-rated team now for a free consultation. We will fight for compensation covering your medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs associated with your injury.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
Millions of cyclists are on the roads around California. But bike accidents are also a common occurrence, and they often have serious consequences.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents in and around San Bernardino include:
Driver error.
Cyclist error.
Distracted driving.
Impaired driving.
Poor visibility.
Poorly maintained roads.
Defective bike parts.
Some crashes are caused by the actions of the cyclist. But the vast majority of accidents involving serious injuries are caused by drivers of larger vehicles.
Being Hit by a Car is the Top Cause of Cyclist Injuries
In some cases, the driver will make a mistake. They may fail to leave enough room for the cyclist or try to make a turn in front of them. These are reckless actions that often lead to severe cyclist injuries.
Other times, the driver might be distracted. One of the most common causes of accidental collisions on California roads is distracted drivers looking at their phones rather than the road. It is also worryingly common for drivers to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which affects reflexes and spatial awareness.
Poor visibility or weather conditions can also increase the risk of a bike accident when drivers cannot see cyclists in time. In addition, poor maintenance resulting in potholes and cracked sidewalks can pose a danger to cyclists.
If you have suffered an injury due to an accident caused by another person or party’s negligence, Bisnar Chase can help you. Contact us for a free case review to find out if you could recover compensation.
Damage and Injuries in a Bike Collision
A bicycle crash can be a scary and dangerous experience. Cyclists are extremely vulnerable, especially on larger roads where cars and trucks move at high speeds.
In a collision, the damage to both the rider and the bike can be severe, and the potential for serious injuries is high.
Injuries can occur in a few different ways. It might be caused by the impact of a vehicle or other object hitting you. But it could also result from a fall, as the force of a collision can often cause a rider to be thrown from their bike. Some crash victims are also run over while they are on the ground.
Common bicycle accident injuries
The bicycle accident victim could suffer:
Broken bones.
Road rash from scraping along the ground.
Head injuries, even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet.
Neck and spine damage.
Crush injuries.
Death.
Any collision is also likely to cause damage to the bicycle, such as broken spokes, bent rims, and damaged frames.
In addition to physical injuries, many riders experience emotional distress and trauma. They might suffer fear and anxiety, especially when riding near traffic.
The Role of Insurance in a Bicycle Accident
Now we get into the most important questions. How do you get paid if you are injured while riding a bike in the San Bernardino area?
Often, a bicycle accident case will be resolved through an insurance policy. When you hire a skilled San Bernardino bicycle accident law firm like Bisnar Chase, our team will start by negotiating with the insurance company of the at-fault party.
For example, if a car strikes a cyclist, an injury settlement will often be agreed upon through the car insurance policy of the negligent driver. Some cyclists might also choose to take out their own personal injury policy to protect themselves in case a driver causing an accident is uninsured or underinsured.
Insurance plays a vital role in bicycle accident claims. Make sure that you know and abide by the terms of your policy, and work with a San Bernardino bike accident attorney to ensure that you are not lowballed.
Choosing the Right Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Bernardino
We know from first-hand experience how important it is to have a bike accident lawyer on your side after an accident. It should not just be any lawyer you come across – you need the right attorney for your case.
But how do you pick the right attorney?
Tips for Evaluating Potential Law Firms After a Bike Crash
You need a firm with a track record of success in cases like yours, and a firm that can provide dedicated support. Here are a few things to target when evaluating firms:
How long have they been in business?
What is their case record?
Can they handle personal injury claims, specifically involving a bicycle accident?
What is their online presence like? Do they have online reviews?
Do they have an office near you, and experience in San Bernardino courts?
Some firms are just out to make a quick buck. They care more about churning through cases than the people involved. But Bisnar Chase is different. We believe in providing superior representation with a personal touch.
We have been in business for over four decades, with a 99% success rate and more than $900 million recovered. Our firm has won injury cases of all kinds, including bike wrecks. You can view a huge number of reviews of our services online, and we have an office in San Bernardino.
Put your case in the right hands. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to win your case, while our firm has the resources to provide the support you need after an accident.
The Value of Your Bicycle Accident Claim
The nature of a bike crash means that it could involve severe injuries. But our personal injury attorneys can help you recover financial compensation for any losses, damages, physical pain, and debilitating injuries you may suffer.
Bicycle Accident Compensation
As part of your personal injury case, we will aim to recover compensation for economic damages, including:
Medical expenses.
Lost wages.
Ongoing treatments.
Property damage (such as damage to your bike).
These are all verifiable losses. But in cases where we can prove negligence by the party responsible, we may also be able to fight for non-economic damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering and emotional toil.
The bicycle accident cases we handle include everything from minor shunts to catastrophic injury claims. Trust our team to maximize the amount you could receive.
Bicycle Safety and Cycling Laws
California traffic laws are in place to ensure that cyclists use the roads safely and to protect riders from motor vehicle accidents.
Motorists have a duty to share the road with and respect bicycle riders in and around San Bernardino. The most relevant laws to cyclists, and regarding auto accidents with cyclists, include:
According to California law, cyclists should stay as far right as possible when riding on the roads. They should also move in the same direction as traffic and use a bike lane when available.
Cyclists have the right to take the lane (move out into the lane rather than stick to the side) when avoiding hazards or when the lane is too narrow to share with a car.
Whether you can ride on the sidewalk is decided by city or county law rather than state law.
San Bernardino County requires cyclists to ride single file (unless overtaking or avoiding hazards).
Properly fitting helmets are required for riders under the age of 18.
Cyclists must follow traffic laws as drivers do. Give way to pedestrians, observe traffic lights and stop signs, etc.
Even when cyclists do everything right, they can fall victim to careless or reckless drivers. When accidents occur due to driver error or other elements of negligence, contact a San Bernardino bicycle accident attorney at Bisnar Chase for help.
Recent Bike Accidents in San Bernardino
2022: Cyclist Killed in Colton Hit and Run
A 41-year-old cyclist suffered fatal blunt force trauma injuries in a hit-and-run at the intersection of North Rancho Avenue and West Johnson Street.
2022: Driver Arrested For DUI After Fatal Cycling Crash
A bicyclist was struck by a car on Archibald Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. The car ran a red light and hit the cyclist near a bike trail crossing. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department arrested the driver on suspicion of DUI.
These recent bicyclist deaths show how dangerous cycling can be. If you or a loved one have suffered an accident, contact Bisnar Chase for a free initial consultation.
E-bike Accidents: A Rising Danger
Electric bikes are fast becoming a popular mode of transport. They look like regular bicycles but have electric motors that propel the bike. Some e-bikes still have to be pedaled by the riders, while others can move without any rider effort. They can reach speeds of 20-30 mph.
E-bike accidents are a growing concern in many areas, including San Bernardino. The added speed that e-bikes carry means that they are harder for drivers to see and react to. The bikes are also more challenging for riders to control. These factors combine to make e-bike accidents one of the fastest-rising causes of personal injuries.
An accident involving an electric bike rider can be even more dangerous than one involving a regular pedal cycle. The rider is still just as vulnerable, but the added speeds mean any crash will involve higher impacts.
Our San Bernardino bicycle accident attorneys have seen an uptick in the number of injury cases associated with e-bikes and are here to offer superior representation to injury victims.
San Bernardino Bicycle Accident FAQs
As your attorneys, we are here to answer any questions you might have. We work on your behalf and are easy to contact if you have any questions.
Filing a legal claim can be daunting for some people. But our team will do everything possible to put your mind at ease and to keep you informed through every step of the process.
Can I file a claim if I was not wearing a helmet?
Adults are not legally required to wear bike helmets in California. That means your claim will not be affected if you were not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred. Failure to wear a helmet may be considered in a claim involving an injured child, but it depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Do I need a lawyer after a bicycle accident?
You can try to handle a claim on your own. But the legal process is tricky, and even filing a claim through your own insurance can be a minefield. Our bicycle accident lawyers take this stress off your plate and consistently secure better compensatory awards.
What will a lawyer do for me in a bike collision case?
Our team helps personal injury victims with every aspect of their claims. We can help organize medical appointments, conduct a proper investigation, compile evidence, and win your case. Contact us for more information.
What will a lawyer cost?
Bisnar Chase offers a free consultation and a ‘no win no fee’ agreement to ensure our services are available to everyone.
Bicycle Accident Lawsuits: Avoiding Common Mistakes
If you are an injured bicyclist who has been involved in a bicycle accident caused by negligence, you might not know where to turn or what to do. The single most common mistake that many accident victims make is trying to handle the case on their own.
Common mistakes include:
Not filing a claim in time: According to the statute of limitations in California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in personal injury cases.
Failing to provide enough evidence: We need to establish that you suffered injuries and that those injuries were the result of negligence. To prove fault and build your case, we will compile evidence, including the police report, pictures from the accident scene, medical records, and more.
Incorrectly filed paperwork: Take the stress out of paperwork by letting our expert team handle it.
Give too much information to the insurance company: Insurance companies are only interested in their bottom line. They employ all kinds of tricks to undermine your case.
To avoid falling victim to these mistakes, work with a San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase.
Contact the Best Bicycle Accident Attorneys Near Me
When you suffer injuries due to a reckless driver, you need a skilled representative on your side. We believe in seeing justice done. Our team will work tirelessly to hold the at-fault driver responsible and secure the compensation you deserve.
Find the best bicycle accident lawyers in San Bernardino by contacting Bisnar Chase today. Our law firm has a 99% success rate and has recovered more than $900 million for our clients. Trust us to provide superior representation in your case.
Contact a San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase today for a free consultation. Call (909) 253-0750, send us an email, or use our live chat.
