If you sustained injuries in a collision involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle, you might wonder who was at fault for the accident and any subsequent damages suffered. Although logic might indicate that motorists are usually at fault for these types of collisions, that isn’t always the case.
In fact, cyclists may be at fault for car accidents or other injury accidents in a variety of ways.
If your injury accident occurred due to the actions of another party, including a cyclist, you could be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages—no matter what the circumstances of the crash may have been.
Talking to a San Francisco personal injury attorney can help you determine what your legal rights are and whether you might have a valid claim. At the Wakeford Law Firm, our experienced car and bicycle accident lawyers understand the challenges you face, and we can help you get the justice you deserve.
The Risk of Bicycle-Car Accidents in San Francisco
According to San Francisco’s TransBASE transportation safety data portal, almost 200 car-bicycle injury accidents occurred in the first half of 2020 alone.
The majority of those accidents involved serious injuries or fatalities. Because cyclists don’t have much in the way of protection, being struck by a car can result in a higher risk of severe or life-threatening injuries. That risk does not diminish, no matter who causes or contributes to a collision.
One of the contributing factors to a growing risk of bike-car crashes in San Francisco is the popularity of rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft.
Rideshare vehicles often pull into designated bike lanes when picking up or dropping off passengers. Vehicles that remain parked in bike lanes force riders to go around, potentially placing cyclists in the path of traffic.
Whether you are riding a bike or driving a motor vehicle, you can take all the necessary precautions to avoid a collision. However, you can’t control the actions of other parties on the roadway with you.
If you are involved in an injury accident, talking to an attorney is the best way to determine your options for pursuing legal action.
Common Causes of Cyclist-Related Car Accidents
The most common causes of motor vehicle accidents, including car, motorcycle, and truck crashes, are—not surprisingly—also some of the most common causes of car-bicycle accidents.
Both motorists and cyclists can take to the roadways while impaired, tired, or distracted, increasing the chances of having an accident. Failure to heed traffic signage, violating traffic laws, and being reckless, careless, or negligent can all lead to injury accidents.
Other common causes of injury accidents can have nothing to do with either the involved motorists or cyclists, such as the following.
- Roadway obstructions,
- Roadway construction,
- Improper roadway maintenance, and
- Obstructed views.
Both motorists and bicycle riders can also fall victim to defective products such as vehicle components.
The experienced attorneys of the Wakeford Law Firm use our network of resources to investigate your accident, gathering critical evidence to identify all parties who caused or contributed to your injury accident.
This helps ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for their wrongful actions and helps you get the compensation you deserve.
Benefits of Working with a San Francisco Bike Accident Attorney
Although you can legally pursue a claim on your own, having an experienced personal injury lawyer provides several key benefits. When you choose an attorney from the Wakeford Law Firm to represent you, you will have the depth and breadth of our knowledge and experience on your side.
We investigate your accident and build the most persuasive case possible. Even if you were partially at fault in an accident, California’s pure comparative negligence laws allow you to recover compensation—even if you were 99% at fault. Your award will simply be reduced by the percentage of fault you had for the accident.
You may be entitled to compensation that includes some or all of the following.
- Medical treatment,
- Lost income and benefits,
- Emotional trauma, and
- Pain and suffering.
To learn what your claim may be worth, contact the Wakeford Law Firm today.
Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer in San Francisco Now
Suffering a serious injury can turn your life upside down. Whether you were behind the wheel or on a bicycle, our personal injury attorneys can help you get the financial compensation you need.
Before you talk to the insurance company or provide any statement, call us to learn more about your options for pursuing legal action. We offer a free consultation, and you never owe legal fees until we recover a settlement in your case.
To speak to an experienced San Francisco bicycle-car accident lawyer, call 415-569-7495 or contact us online now.
