Bicycle Accidents in San Diego
San Diego welcomes bicyclists to its streets and boasts plenty of great bike trails and scenic roads perfect for an afternoon ride. That being said, bicycle accidents are not uncommon in California. In fact, the state is ranked number two in having the most bicycle accidents in the United States, with Florida securing the number one spot.
The Law Office of Jason A. Rodenbo represents bicyclists who have been injured in accidents while out on the road. To date, Mr. Rodenbo has won millions of dollars in compensation for his clients involved in personal injury lawsuits, and he understands just how devastating these injuries can be. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in San Diego, Personal Injury attorney Jason Rodenbo can help you get the money you deserve.
Navigating Traffic on a Bicycle
Just like other drivers, bicyclists owe a duty to follow the rules of the road and remain safe while sharing the road with others. Staying safe and obeying the rules can help prevent possible injuries and accidents.
Remember these law-based tips next time you get ready to pedal off down the road:
- Never ride against traffic. This is the law. You should never be riding your bike against traffic. If you chose to do so, you may be stopped by a traffic officer and given a ticket. If you are injured while doing this, you may not be able to file a claim.
- Obey stop signs and other traffic signals. Just like cars and trucks, bicycles are expected to stop at stop signs and stop lights. If you go through a red light and are hit, your claim may not hold up in court.
- Bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. It’s a California state law and San Diego obeys it. While you should wear one regardless of your age, but it is law if you’re under 18.
- Ride in the bike lane. When one is available, you should always be in the bike lane. When one is not available, you should be to the far right of the lane. Leave a bit of space between yourself and parked cars. A driver exiting the vehicle might not see you and open their door right in your face.
- No bicyclist should be under the influence of alcohol. Just like drivers, bicyclists can be cited for drunk driving if they’re caught riding over the legal limit.
- Equip your bike with lights and reflectors. You need a white headlamp that can project light to the front and side of the roadway for at least 300 feet in front of you. You will also need:
- Rear red reflector that is visible at least 500 feet away.
- White or yellow reflectors on pedals or at least the cyclist’s ankles.
- White or yellow reflectors on the sides of the bike towards the front of the bike’s center.
- Red reflector on the sides of the bike towards the back of the bike’s center.
If you were following bicycle law and a driver hits you, then you could have a personal injury claim in San Diego. Contact the Law Office of Jason A. Rodenbo to learn how we can help.
Bike Safety Tips
While you cannot prevent every type of accident, you can make the effort to be safe while riding your bicycle on San Diego’s roads. By being safe, you can lessen your chances of being in an accident, and if you are in an accident, your injuries might not be so severe.
These rules aren’t exactly laws, but they can keep you safe when you’re on the road:
- Wear a helmet. A helmet will protect your head in an accident and cushion the blow. It can also affect the fault of your case. If you are injured and you weren’t wearing a helmet, the court may find that you share some blame for your injuries because you were not wearing a helmet.
- Wear reflective clothing at night. During the day, this clothing could hurt a driver’s eyes and cause them to swerve into your bike. Wear this clothing at night to make it as easy as possible for drivers to see you.
- Try to avoid driving at night if possible. It isn’t always an option, but driving at night only increases your chance for an accident. Try to finish up errands before it gets too dark.
- Stay out of blind spots. You may not know where all blind spots are exactly, but from driving yourself, you should have an idea about where cars can and cannot see you. Make sure all cars can see you at all times.
Even the safest bicyclist, however, can’t always avoid an accident in San Diego. Don’t suffer because another driver refused to share the road with you. You have the right to the road as all drivers do.
Contact the Law Offices of Jason Rodenbo for the Leading Personal Injury Attorney in San Diego
Bicycling is an enjoyable past time and a great way to get around San Diego without investing in a car or bus pass, but bicycle accidents do happen on the road. As a cyclist, you need to be aware of your rights on the road and what you can do if you’ve been injured thanks to a negligent driver.