San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a bike is a great way to enjoy the fresh air while you commute. However, when bike riders need to leave the relative safety of dedicated bike paths and bike lanes and share busy roads with cars, accidents can occur. When cars strike bikes, the consequences can be devastating.

When you experience a serious injury or lose your loved one in a bike crash, a San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer can be there to help you. Connect with our team today to begin working with a dedicated personal injury attorney.

Potentially Liable Parties in a Bike Crash

Determining liability after a bike wreck is not always simple. Sometimes, more than one party bears partial responsibility.

At-Fault Driver

Sadly, many bike accidents happen because of negligent motorists who fail to look out for cyclists on the road. While drivers frequently look in their mirrors or turn around to check for other cars in their blind spots before turning at an intersection, many motorists do not pay proper attention to cyclists. Although bikes are more challenging to spot due to their small frames, drivers should still be alert enough to look at what is around them. Drivers are often too distracted by their cell phones or other distractions to be aware of their surroundings. Motorists who speed or are impaired by alcohol, fatigue, or drugs are also less likely to be able to prevent a crash with a bike.

Driver’s Employer

If the motorist was a commercial driver who was working at the time the accident occurred, the driver’s employer might be legally responsible, especially if there is evidence that the employer encouraged the driver to meet unreasonable deadlines.

Municipal and State Authorities

If hazardous road conditions, such as uncleared debris or confusing road construction detours contributed to the accident, the governmental authority in charge of maintaining the roads could bear fault.

Product Manufacturer

If a faulty bike or vehicle caused the accident, the manufacturer might be legally to blame.

Our dedicated legal team can investigate what happened by carefully examining all relevant evidence. Through a careful analysis of the facts, our San Bernardino attorneys can determine who is legally at fault for the bicycle accident and begin building a case for compensation. Reach out to get started today.

What Happens if the Cyclist Is Partially at Fault?

Sometimes, bike riders are partly to blame for their accidents. For instance, if a bike rider was weaving between lanes or traveling the wrong way on a road, they could bear responsibility if a car hit them.

Fortunately, California law does not bar injured parties from seeking legal assistance if they are partly responsible for an accident. Even if a court determines that a cyclist was 99 percent to blame for a crash, they could still pursue a claim against the driver who was only 1% at fault because California operates with a pure comparative fault standard. However, the court would reduce the injured cyclist’s recoverable damages in proportion to their share of fault.

Our experienced San Bernardino lawyers can review the details of a bicycle accident and explain how comparative negligence rules might affect a cyclist’s recovery.

Contact a San Bernardino Bike Accident Attorney

Serious bike crashes can severely alter the course of your life and leave you with many unanswered questions. Fortunately, a seasoned San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer can help you get the answers you need. The dedicated legal team at Valero Law Group will aggressively fight on your behalf.

Contact our office to arrange for a free consultation. We are always available and can make arrangements to come to you if needed.