CAR DOOR ACCIDENT (“DOORED”)

A common type of bike accident is being “doored.” This happens when a person exiting a vehicle unsafely opens their door either striking a cyclist or blocking the cyclists path, causing an accident. California Vehicle Code Section 22517 states that a person may only open a car door on the traffic side of a vehicle when it’s reasonably safe.

Cyclists have the right to share the road with other vehicles, and it is the duty of the person opening the car door to ensure it’s safe to open it. In order to protect yourself as a cyclist, it’s always a good idea to leave a door length distance between yourself and parked cars and to scan ahead to see if people are sitting in the parked cars ahead of you.

Side Swipe or Buzz

Being side swiped by a vehicle is when the vehicle drives too close and makes contact with you or your bike, causing you to crash. Being “buzzed” occurs when a vehicle doesn’t contact you or your bike but is driving so close to you that it causes you to crash. Intentionally buzzing someone can be a form of road rage.

California passed the three foot law to prevent these exact types of accidents.

Wrongful death

Cycling accidents can be very serious, especially when they involve being struck by a motor vehicle. These accidents often lead serious injuries or death. Losing a loved one can be extremely difficult. In that circumstance, you want an experienced attorney to fight for you and your loved one to ensure justice is served and you obtain the recovery you deserve.

Right Hook Accident

A right hook bike accident occurs when a vehicle makes a right turn in front of a cyclist that was traveling straight in the same direction. This can cause the vehicle to collide with the bike or the bicyclist to crash into the side of the car. This often occurs after a vehicle has passed a cyclist and then slows down to make the right turn.

It’s always a good idea to take extra caution when approaching an intersection. Often times, motor vehicle drivers are distracted or fail to account for the speed of a cyclist when they pass a cyclist and then make a right turn at an intersection. If the driver fails to leave enough space between itself and the cyclist before turning, there is nowhere for the cyclist to go and an accident occurs.

Rear-End Accident

Under certain circumstances cyclists have the right to take up the entire lane of traffic. If motor vehicle drivers are distracted they may not see the cyclist in front of them, which could result in a rear-end collision. This is a very serious type of accident as the cyclist could not only be struck from behind and thrown off their bike, they could also potentially be run over by the distracted driver.

Brain INjury

Regardless of whether you are wearing a helmet at the time of an accident, it’s still possible to suffer a traumatic brain injury (“TBI”). Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a sudden physical force, such as hitting your head on concrete or being struck in the head by a heavy object. TBI’s are largely unseen and may be gradual over time, but can have serious long-term repercussions.

Left Hook Accident

A left hook bicycle accident occurs when a vehicle turns left without yielding to a cyclist in the oncoming lane. The car or truck turning left may strike the cyclist or may cut the cyclist off and cause a collision.

Often times motor vehicle drivers look right through cyclists or don’t see them at all. There are also instances where the driver may misjudge the speed of the cyclists and mistakenly think they have enough time to turn in front of the oncoming cyclist.

As a cyclist, it’s always important to ride defensively. that means wearing bright colors, utilizing lights and reflectors, and scanning around you for vehicles that may be turning into your lane.

Product liability

There are several different types of bike frames that are on the road these days, including steel, aluminum, and carbon. In addition to the frame, there are several key components to a bike, like brakes, chains, and gears, that help assist you riding safely on the road. If the bike frame or its components fail while you are riding your bike, it could lead to a very serious accident.

Catastrophic injury

A catastrophic injury gravely impacts the victim’s quality of life as well the lives of his or her loved ones. The injury may limit the victim’s movement, dramatically reduce the victim’s mobility and prevent the victim from participating in previously-enjoyed activities. A long-term or permanent injury can prevent the victim from returning to work even after a diagnosis of full recovery.