Novato Bicycle Injuries: Major Causes
Novato bicycle injuries occur commonly and cause severe trauma or fatalities in some cases. Although it is particularly risky to ride a bicycle, many people do so to commute to work, run errands, get exercise and just generally enjoy the outdoors. Also, bicycles are ecologically sound, using no fuel and avoiding contributing to pollution. With the beautiful scenic loops and bike paths around Novato, it is no wonder that more and more people are discovering the pleasure of this outdoor activity. Learning about the most common types of traffic collisions encountered by bicycle riders can help them avoid these dangerous situations.
Underreporting of Bicycle Injuries
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, reported that 818 bicycle riders were killed in traffic accidents in 2015. It is really difficult to get an accurate number of injuries to bicycle riders because of underreporting, but its numbers are in the tens of thousands. About one-third of those accident injuries are caused by a motor vehicle. An additional number are injured because of walkways and roadways that are in disrepair. However, when Novato bicycle accident injuries are caused by a negligent driver or lack of maintenance on a roadway, the cyclist is entitled to claim compensation to pay the bills caused by the collision.
Common Bicycle Accidents Involving Motor Vehicles
Because bicycle riders are not protected the way drivers of motor vehicles are, they do not have a protective wall of metal surrounding them, nor do they have airbags or seat belts. This means that a collision with a motor vehicle often causes traumatic injuries. The most common types of collisions that result in bicycle injuries include:
- Vehicles Turning Left: These are accidents that are common between motorists, bicycle riders, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Although motorists are supposed to yield the right of way, many are negligent about looking for bicycle riders and others before turning.
- Vehicles Pulling Out Onto the Road: These common accidents are caused when a vehicle pulls out from a driveway, parking lot or side street. In some cases, the motorist runs into the bicycle rider. In others, the driver pulls out quickly without looking, and the bicycle rider doesn’t have sufficient time to stop before crashing into the car.
- Open Doors: Although YouTube videos of someone running into an open car door may be amusing to some, in real life it can cause severe injuries to a bicycle rider. Although it is illegal in California to open a car door unless it is safe and doesn’t interfere with road traffic, it happens all the time. Most of the time, the motorist is at fault and can be held responsible for injuries to the cyclist, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
- Road Defects: Maintenance and design of streets and roads come under the jurisdiction of a government entity such as a city, county or state. Roads must be adequately maintained, signs should be present where needed and not obscured by overhanging tree branches, and traffic signals should be operational. When Novato bicycle injuries occur due to lack of maintenance such as dislodged manholes, potholes, fissures in the pavement or for other causes, a personal injury lawyer can investigate the cause of the accident and build a compelling case for compensation.
Novato Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Novato personal injury lawyer. A lawyer who is experienced in handling cases involving bicycle collisions can help you obtain fair compensation to pay for the financial losses you suffered in an accident with a motorist or caused by damaged or poorly maintained roadways. For free and friendly advice, you can contact me at (415) 521-2515 or through my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. I also offer a contact form online at my website, AutoAccident.com.
I’ve worked as an injury lawyer since 1982, obtaining fair compensation for Novato residents in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths and cases involving trauma, including brain injuries.
Million Dollar Advocates was set up to represent trial lawyers who have obtained a case settlement or verdict worth more than one million dollars for a client. I belong to this forum as a California member.
You are invited to visit the following links to look over client reviews of my law practice as well as some of our previous cases and how they resolved at:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_182419762_l-2015
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