Santa Ana Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Santa Ana, California is one of the most popular sites for bicycling, both for leisure and as a regular method of transportation. Unfortunately, more people riding bicycles often means more bicycle accidents. More than 100 people are killed each year in bicycle accidents, and many thousands of other bicyclists are injured.

If you suffered injury in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s actions, you may need the help of an experienced Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyer. Contact a dedicated accident attorney today to begin your claim.

Bicycle Laws in Santa Ana

Santa Ana has several laws meant to keep both bicyclists and motorists safe. Unless the road is too narrow to allow it, bicyclists are required to keep their bicycle as close as reasonably possible to the right side of the road, unless they are turning, passing, or avoiding a hazard or parked car.

Everyone in Santa Ana under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet at all times while bicycling. Although adults are not required to wear bicycle helmets, the court could take the failure to wear a helmet while bicycling into account when determining whether the bicyclist victim contributed to the cause of their own injuries.

Bicyclists and Motorists Guidelines

Under Santa Ana law, bicyclists and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities when sharing the road, and must abide by most of the same rules. Bicyclists are treated as any other vehicle driver and must obey traffic laws. At the same time, motor vehicle drivers are required to give the right-of-way to bicyclists.

If one is available, bicyclists should use the bike lane if they are traveling slower than the flow of motor vehicle traffic. However, they may ride in the traffic lane if they are going at the same speed as traffic.

Santa Ana also has a so-called “three-feet rule” when it comes to bicyclists. Motor vehicles should maintain a distance of at least three feet when driving near a bicyclist, and if they are not able to do so, they should slow down and only pass the bicycle when it is reasonably safe for them to do so.

Santa Ana Negligence Laws

Like the rest of California, Santa Ana has a comparative negligence law that may result in reductions in compensation for injured accident victims depending on the percentage of fault they contributed to their own injuries.

This does not mean, however, that victims who had a hand in causing their own injuries will be barred entirely from recovering compensation. Any bicyclist who believes they may have contributed to their own injuries in a bicycle accident with another vehicle should immediately consult an experienced Santa Ana bicycle accident attorney for more information and advice.

How a Santa Ana Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Bicycle accidents can be minor, catastrophic, or anywhere in between. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include broken collarbones, broken ribs, damage to internal organs, and traumatic brain injuries.

Regardless of the severity of your bicycle injuries, a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney in Santa Ana could help preserve your rights to seek compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Call today to schedule a consultation.