SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
San Diego is a fantastic city for cyclists, with lots of bike trails, nice weather, and stunning scenery. Many residents also ride their bikes to work, school, or to do errands around town. It’s a great form of exercise, environmentally friendly, and an inexpensive mode of transportation. However, sharing the road with motor vehicles can be dangerous for cyclists, especially in busy metropolitan areas such as San Diego.
Although cyclists have a legal right of way on the roads, many times drivers don’t allow them that. For this reason, cyclists need to be careful when sharing the road with motorists. Unfortunately, even the most vigilant bicyclist can still become the victim of a serious bicycle accident when hit by a motor vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own, you need to hire an experienced San Diego bicycle accident attorney to represent you and help you obtain the full compensation that you deserve. The personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates are dedicated to protecting your legal rights and working hard to get you the damages that you are entitled to. We handle a variety of personal injury matters, including bicycle accidents.
With multiple offices located in San Diego, Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Riverside, and El Segundo, our personal injury lawyers represent injured cyclists across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an expert San Diego bicycle accident attorney, please call 888-848-5084.
Common Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accidents
Injuries are inevitable when a bicycle is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Cyclists generally wear helmets, which can greatly reduce the risk of serious brain injury in an accident, but they don’t have seatbelts, airbags, or steel frames around them to absorb the impact when hit by a car or truck. Although the resulting injuries can be minor, many times they are severe and can lead to death. Beyond the physical damage, accidents also can cause emotional and psychological trauma to cyclists.
Common injuries suffered in bicycle accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Concussions
- Lacerations
- Neck injuries
- Fractured bones
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Acetabular fractures (broken pelvis)
- Ankle fractures
- Fractured collarbones
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas understand that getting into a bicycle accident can significantly impact your life. Our San Diego bicycle accident lawyers are compassionate, yet aggressive, in holding the responsible parties accountable and helping our clients obtain full compensation. Our goal is to provide you with the personal service that you deserve during this difficult process.
What To Do After a Bike Accident
Being prepared in advance is essential for cyclists who are involved in accidents because accident victims are often disoriented. Knowing what steps to follow is important to ensure you get fully compensated for the damages you incurred. Always seek immediate medical attention whether you think you need to or not. If you wait days or weeks, insurance companies will use that as a reason to deny your claim or to offer a settlement that is much less than you deserve.
Here are the steps you should follow after getting into a bicycle accident:
- Do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Call the police.
- Give the police officer a complete report.
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident and of your bicycle – preferably in the same position and state it was after the accident.
- Obtain the contact information of all parties involved in the accident.
- Obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Do not attempt to negotiate with the driver of the vehicle who caused the accident.
- Contact a San Diego bike accident lawyer.
Contact an Experienced San Diego Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident caused by the negligence of another party, contact the San Diego bike accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas. Our personal injury lawyers specialize in handling bicycle accidents. We have the experience to help you recover your lost wages, medical expenses, and any other costs associated with your accident.
With multiple offices located in San Diego, Irvine, Anaheim, Riverside, Los Angeles and El Segundo, our personal injury attorneys represent injured cyclists across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an expert San Diego bicycle accident attorney, please call 888-848-5084.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk in San Diego?
The laws for riding a bike on the sidewalk in San Diego County differ by city. You should be aware of the laws in the city where you ride a bike. Here is a list of the laws by city:
- Oceanside Oceanside, Encinitas, San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Santee, and unincorporated San Diego County: Bicycle riding is allowed on sidewalks, except in business districts.
- Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, Poway: Bicycle riding on sidewalks is forbidden at all times.
- Escondido, San Marcos: Riding on sidewalks is regulated but not forbidden.
- Solana Beach: Riding on sidewalks is not allowed if there is an adjacent bike lane or bike path.
- La Mesa: Riding on sidewalks is not regulated.
- Del Mar: Riding in parks is prohibited.
Am I required to wear a helmet while biking in San Diego?
All bike riders under the age of 18 are required to wear an approved cycling helmet in San Diego. Although adults 18 and over are not required to wear a helmet, it is highly recommended that they do. A helmet is the best piece of safety equipment that a cyclist can wear. If you fall off your bike, whether you have been hit by a motor vehicle or not, you can seriously hurt yourself if you hit your head on the ground or on something solid. You can suffer a traumatic brain injury or possibly death as a result.
What if the driver who hit me while I was riding my bicycle was uninsured? Can I still recover compensation for my injuries?
If you are hit by a driver who has no auto insurance or does not have enough auto insurance, you can still recover compensation if you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your car. It is essential that you have this coverage because there are so many uninsured and underinsured drivers on the road. The recommended amount of uninsured motorist coverage you should carry is at least $100,000 per person, although it is better if you carry at least $250,000.
Is cycling with headphones illegal?
There are no national laws concerning cycling while wearing headphones. Each state has its own rules and regulations. In California, cyclists may wear headphones or earbuds, but they are not allowed to wear them in both ears. They are required to maintain one ear completely open, so they can hear what is going on around them without obstruction.
California law does allow people with hearing disabilities to wear headphones or prosthetics as long as they help the driver hear what’s going on around them.
Can you ride a bike while drunk?
It is illegal to ride a bicycle on a highway while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This offense is often referred to as “cycling under the influence,” “riding a bike drunk” or “DUI on a bicycle.” Under these laws, a bicycle is specified as something that is propelled by human power through a belt, chain, or gears and has one or more wheels. This does not include motorized bikes. Motorized bikes or mopeds are subject to the same DUI laws in California as motor vehicles are.
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