Bicycle accidents in Santa Ana are a continuous safety concern throughout the area. According to data provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 105 bicyclists were injured or killed in accidents in Santa Ana in 2022. The data also stated that 4 bicyclists under the age of 15 were injured or killed in 2022. These statistics highlight the risks that many cyclists face when sharing the road with motor vehicles, or even riding down the sidewalk or across crosswalks, particularly in busy urban areas with heavy traffic and limited bike paths. Finding a qualified bicycle accident injury attorney near you is essential if you or a loved one are part of these growing statistics.

At Santa Ana Accident Injury Attorneys, our team represents injured cyclists and their families when they are pursuing compensation for their physical and emotional injuries arising from negligence. As experienced Santa Ana personal injury attorneys, we help clients pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our legal team understands how Santa Ana bicycle accidents occur and how to build a strong case against at-fault parties.

California law affords bicycle accident victims rights under California Vehicle Code § 21200. They essentially have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers when riding on the roadways throughout Santa Ana. When those rights are violated, and a bicycle accident occurs, causing injuries, a bicycle accident lawyer Santa Ana clients rely on can step in to hold negligent drivers accountable.

What Is The Most Common Bicycle Accident?

Several types of bicycle accidents occur frequently in Santa Ana, often due to driver inattention or failure to follow traffic laws. Among the most common bicycle accidents in Santa Ana include:

  • Right Hook Accident – A right-hook bicycle accident happens when a motorist turns right at an intersection or driveway and cuts off a cyclist who is travelling in the same direction when the turn is made. Right hook bicycle accidents are particularly dangerous because the cyclist may be trapped between the turning vehicle and the curb, or run over as the car continues through the turn. California Vehicle Code § 22100 requires drivers to make safe and lawful turns everywhere they drive, and failure to do so can establish negligence when a bicycle accident occurs.
  • Left-Turn Accidents – Left-turn accidents are another leading cause of Santa Ana bicycle accidents and subsequent injuries. These accidents occur when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming cyclist, as they often misjudge the cyclist’s speed or fail to yield to them. Under California Vehicle Code § 21801, drivers must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, which includes yielding to bicycles that have the right-of-way.
  • Dooring Accidents – Dooring accidents happen when a parked driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a travelling cyclist. California Vehicle Code § 22517 specifically prohibits opening the door of a vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so. Violations of this traffic law frequently lead to serious bicycle accident injuries, especially when cyclists are thrown into traffic.
  • Rear-End Collisions – Rear-end collisions involving bicyclists are also common and often are caused by distracted or impaired driving. Because cyclists lack the protection that a normal passenger vehicle provides, even low-speed impacts in a rear-end accident can cause severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and spinal damage.
  • Hazardous Road Conditions – Hazardous road conditions, defective bike parts, and poorly designed intersections can also contribute to bicycle accidents in Santa Ana. In these cases, liability may extend beyond drivers to include government entities or manufacturers. A bicycle accident attorney in Santa Ana that victims depend on can investigate all potential causes and identify every responsible party.

Who Is At Fault If You Hit A Cyclist?

Determining fault in a bicycle accident in Santa Ana requires a careful review of the facts, applicable traffic and liability laws, and available evidence. In many cases, the driver of the motor vehicle is at fault due to negligence, which resulted in the accident occurring and injuries being sustained. However, California follows a comparative fault system under Civil Code § 1714, which means that fault for a bicycle accident can be shared between parties. When looking at who is at fault, there are several parties that could be found liable for damages:

  • Driver At Fault – Drivers are often found at fault when they engage in negligent behaviors such as:
    • Speeding
    • Distracted driving
    • Failing to yield
    • Violating traffic laws

For example, texting while driving or failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or making a turn can easily lead to a collision with a bicyclist. When a driver breaches their duty of care and causes injury to a bicyclist, they can be held liable for damages in a personal injury claim.

  • Bicyclist – Cyclists, however, also have responsibilities to provide proper duty of care under California law. They must obey traffic signals, ride in the same direction as traffic, and use proper lighting at night as required by California Vehicle Code § 21201 to ensure they are seen by motorists. If a cyclist fails to follow these rules and an accident occurs, their compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
  • Third Party – In some situations, third parties may share responsibility for causing a bicycle accident in Santa Ana. Poor road maintenance, missing signage, or dangerous construction zones that bicyclists have to travel through can create unsafe conditions. Government agencies may also be held liable under the California Tort Claims Act, although there are strict deadlines that apply for filing claims against public and government entities.
  • Manufacturers – Vehicle and bicycle manufacturers or maintenance providers may be responsible if a mechanical failure contributed to the crash. For instance, defective brakes or faulty steering systems could lead to a loss of control and a collision with a cyclist.

A bicycle accident lawyer in Santa Ana from our team is one whom clients trust. They will gather evidence, including:

  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Surveillance footage
  • Expert analysis

They will use all the information gathered to build a claim and establish negligence and liability. Establishing fault is an important step in securing fair compensation and holding negligent parties accountable for bicycle accident injuries.

What To Do When Someone Hits You On Your Bike?

The moments following a bicycle accident are very important for both health and legal reasons. Taking the right steps after being injured in a bicycle accident can protect your well-being and strengthen a potential personal injury claim to pay for injuries. At Santa Ana Accident Injury Attorneys, we highly recommend that bicycle accident victims follow these steps directly after an accident:

  1. Get Medical Attention – Seeking immediate medical attention after being in a bicycle accident is a top priority. Even if injuries appear minor or you do not feel injured, underlying conditions such as concussions or internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent, but can be life-threatening. Medical records are also important to have, as they serve as important evidence in a personal injury case and help connect injuries directly to the accident.
  2. File A Santa Ana Police Report – Reporting the accident to law enforcement, whether it is the Sheriff’s Office or the Santa Ana Police Department, is another important step. A Santa Ana police accident report provides an official record of the incident, including details about the parties involved, witness accounts, visible injuries, and initial assessments of fault. This documentation can play an integral role in supporting a claim.
  3. Gather As Much Evidence As Possible – Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident can also be valuable. Photographs of the vehicles, bicycle, road conditions, and visible injuries can help create a picture of what happened and help to establish fault. Collecting contact information from witnesses and the driver involved is equally important and an integral part of establishing liability.
  4. Do Not Speak With Insurance Companies – Avoiding discussions with insurance adjusters without having a Santa Ana bike accident lawyer is highly advisable. Insurance companies are known for attempting to minimize payouts by disputing liability or downplaying injuries. Statements that are made to insurance adjusters early on can be used against a claimant later in the process.
  5. Hire A Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Santa Ana – Consulting a bike accident lawyer near me as soon as possible after a bicycle accident can make a substantial difference in the outcome of a case. An experienced bicycle attorney from our firm can handle communication with insurance companies, investigate the accident, and build a strong claim for compensation.
  6. Keep Statute Of Limitations In Mind – Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, injured parties generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation. Missing this deadline for filing a claim can result in the loss of the right to recover compensation. Claims involving government entities may have much shorter statute of limitations, often as little as six months.

How Santa Ana Accident Injury Lawyers Near You Can Help

Santa Ana Accident Injury Attorneys provides dedicated legal representation for bicyclists who have been injured due to negligence. Our firm handles every aspect of a bicycle accident claim, allowing clients to focus on recovering both physically and mentally while we pursue compensation on their behalf. Our services include:

  • Investigating the accident
  • Identifying liable parties
  • Gathering critical evidence
  • Hiring professionals to testify
  • Representing if the case goes to trial

We work with medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, and other specialists to build strong bicycle accident claims for compensation that reflect the full extent of a client’s injuries and losses. We also handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies on our client’s behalf. Insurers often attempt to reduce settlements, either by disputing liability or dismissing the severity of injuries, but our legal team advocates aggressively to secure fair compensation.

In cases where a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take the case to court and go through a trial to obtain compensation on behalf of our client. Litigation may be necessary to hold negligent parties and insurance companies accountable and recover the compensation our clients deserve. Bicycle accidents often have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts. Working with a bicycle accident attorney in Santa Ana from our firm provides the support and legal experience needed to move forward after a serious crash.  Don’t hesitate to contact our team today for a free case consultation.