Bicycle Accident Lawyer Stockton

Written by: Steven L. Brown

Cycling in California can be one of the most enjoyable experiences, with diverse terrain and settings. This includes mountain, coastal, desert, rural, and urban roads and byways to ride. Unfortunately, not all motorists are careful when they share the road with cyclists. Often, inattentive drivers texting or just not paying attention can cause severe injuries to cyclists and even death. This changes recreation to immediate tragedy and life-changing injuries.

Work with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Whether to address health care costs, wage loss, and loss of household services or to fill the economic void left in the wake of the death of a loved one, having an experienced personal injury attorney who understands cycling and its nuances is essential. Steven L. Brown is an avid cyclist and is very familiar with cyclists’ roads and streets around the Valley and throughout Northern California. Have someone on your side who knows personal injury law related to cyclists and someone who will stand up for cyclists and their rights. Give us a call today and let us hear your bicycle accident story in Stockton, CA. Our attorney wants to help you fight for your legal rights.

What rights and obligations do I have as a cyclist?

As a cyclist, you have the right to ride on the street, even if there is a shoulder or sidewalk. [Cal. Vehicle Code, §21200.] Freeways and marked bridges are the exceptions.

You must obey the same rules of the road that motor vehicles are required to follow. [Cal. Vehicle Code, §21200.] Each city or municipality has its own city ordinances dealing with riding on sidewalks. To ensure you are not in violation, avoid riding on sidewalks.

Remember to always stop at stop signs and lights. Yield to pedestrians in sidewalks and use “due care” to ensure pedestrians’ safety in general. Cal. Vehicle Code, §21950, 21952, 21954.]

You must ride on the right side of the road going with traffic, not against it. You are required to ride as far right as “practicable” or as safely as you can on the road. [Cal. Vehicle Code, §21202, 21650, 21650.1.] Motor vehicles must share the road with you.

Pursuing a Legal Claim After a Bicycle Accident in Stockton CA

Bicycle riders or family members of those killed in a bicycle accident have the right to pursue legal action against the driver who was fully or partially responsible for the incident. For the claim to move forward, the injured party and their lawyer must prove that:

The driver was negligent, reckless, or in violation of a driving law. Drivers should use reasonable safety while behind the wheel. When they fail to do so and fall short of their obligations, this is considered to be a breach of legal duty.

It was precisely the breach of this legal duty that directly caused the bicycle accident. This means linking the driver’s behavior directly to the bike collision.

You suffered actual harm precisely as a result of this bicycle accident. That is, your injuries and financial losses are due to this accident.

Main Reasons for Bicycle Accidents in Stockton CA

Statistics show that hundreds of cyclists lose their lives in bike accidents every year while many others suffer injuries. The main reasons for bicycle accidents in Stockton, CA are:

Speeding

It is understood that bicycle riders do not ride at the speed of cars. Still, they are no reason to ride as fast as possible, disregarding vehicles around them and traffic signs. It is up to a bike rider to determine how fast to go, considering factors such as the weather, the conditions of the road, and the terrain.

Distracted Riding and Driving

Car drivers get distracted easily when they text, eat, drink, or just take their eyes off the road. Bike riders can also get distracted by their devices, looking at their phones while riding. This is so common that it has become a considerable public threat.

Riding Too Close to Vehicle Traffic

Bike riders must be aware that they must leave at least three feet between their bicycles and vehicles. As a bicycle rider, you should never assume that the cars will be looking out for you and allow you to operate your bike safely. Plan your route before heading out, and make sure you have safe paths to ride until you reach your destination.

Parking Lots, Driveways, and Sidewalks

When riding in more confined areas, you may have less time to avoid an accident. Be particularly careful and proactive to avoid an accident and never assume that the cars around you have seen you.

Brown & Gessell – Your Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton, CA

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Stockton, the partners at Brown & Gessell are uniquely qualified to handle your case because we are intimately familiar with the city’s courts, judges, and staff.

Attorney Douglas A. Gessell was raised in San Joaquin County and has been representing accident victims in Stockton for the past 12 years. Lawyer Steven L. Brown has raised his family for the last 20 years in the County and is the past President and a member of the Board of Directors of the San Joaquin County Bar Association and a past member of the American Inn of Courts. Their familiarity with the streets, highways, waterways, courts, hospitals, and neighborhoods allows them a very personal insight into the area where your case arose. Start your personal injury case with an advantage.

Get Legal Help Now

When a motorist fails to use reasonable care while driving a car or truck and a bike rider is injured in Stockton, CA, the driver is liable for those injuries. Responsibility for a car accident requires analysis by a competent attorney who understands bicycle accident laws. The attorney at Brown & Gessell knows these laws and is ready to hear about your case. Set up an initial consultation now and let us hear your story, and suggest the best defense to help you fight for your rights and get the compensation you deserve.