Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Injury Victims

Bicycle culture is an integral part of California – and bicycles are an increasing trend in the Sacramento area, both as a mode of transportation as well as for exercise. While bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, some drivers do not think that bicyclists have the right to share the road.

Bikers (and pedestrians) are frequently classified as “vulnerable road users” because they face an elevated risk of serious injury when encountering motor vehicles. There is essentially no protection from a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds, resulting in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, amputations, fractures, organ damage, scarring, lacerations, and even death.

Fight for the financial compensation you deserve by calling an experienced Sacramento bicycle accident attorney today at (916) 520-6639.

A Team of Avid Cyclists Protecting Bike Accident Victims

At Kershaw Talley Barlow, we do not just represent bicyclists in personal injury lawsuits; we are a team of avid cyclists and cycling enthusiasts who understand all the applicable laws governing bicycle and vehicle use in California.

By investing our time in important bicycle advocacy, participating in cyclist events throughout the Sacramento and Bay Area, and fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims, we hope to create a safer world for cyclists in the future.

For more information on how we can help with a bicycle accident claim, contact our firm today at (916) 520-6639. 

Bicycle Crash Facts and Statistics

According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, the six most frequent sources of bicyclist injury are:

• Hit by car
• Fell
• Roadway/walkway not in good repair
• Rider error/not paying attention
• Crashed/collision
• Dog ran out

Many vehicle drivers use the bicycle lane as though it were meant for cars and do not obey the safe passing distance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 726 bicyclist deaths and 50,000 bicyclist injuries in 2014 throughout the nation. Pedal-cyclist fatalities were the second-highest in California. During this time, California accounted for 128 deaths of bicyclists in collisions with motor vehicles. Drivers and cyclists should obey traffic laws and share the road.

What Are Common Causes of Bike Injuries?

Driver negligence often results in cyclist injuries and wrongful deaths. Driver behaviors or acts constituting negligence include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/ Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Distracted driving (e.g. texting)
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Running stop signs or red lights
• Encroaching on bicycle lanes
• Making careless turns and lane changes without signaling
• Not respecting the bicyclist’s right of way
• Failing to leave 3 feet between the car and the bicycle when passing

Nearly a third of all injuries are caused when bicyclists are struck by cars or commercial trucks. Cyclists may have legal recourse if they sustained an injury as a result of driver carelessness. You can potentially file a claim against the driver to recover damages when a vehicle hits your bike or forces you off the road and you’re injured, if you or a witness can identify the driver. Uninsured motorist policy may pay for your damages if there is no identifiable driver (i.e. hit and run).

What If I Share Fault for the Accident?

It is not uncommon to see shared fault in bicycle accident cases. Even the most avid cyclists do not follow the rules of the road 100% of the time, but just because you share some of the blame for your accident doesn't mean you should be prevented from receiving compensation.

California's comparative fault laws allow injured parties to still pursue damages as long as they are less than 50% responsible for the accident. Whatever percentage of fault is appropriated to the injured person, that amount will be deducted from the initial recovery. For example, a bicyclist that was awarded $100,000 for damages, but was found to be 20% at fault for the injury-causing accident will receive a final recovery of $80,000. You need an experienced Sacramento bicycle accident attorney on your side who can effectively demonstrate that you share as little of the blame for your crash as possible in order to maximize your compensation.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident

You have the right to pursue a claim to recover compensatory damages if you were injured, including:

• Lost earnings
• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress, and so forth.

Our experienced Sacramento bicycle accident lawyers have served thousands of individuals with serious injuries. Healing is your main priority – handling your case is ours.

Contact Our Bicycle Injury Team Today

Our team at Kershaw Talley Barlow not only brings that experience to the table, but our managing partner Bill Kershaw is an avid cyclist and a proud proponent of various organizations in California that support the rights of all cyclists in California.

Our attorneys also regularly participate in cycling races together as a team, such as the October 2019 Levi’s Gran Fondo. This experience means that we understand exactly what bicycle riders are up against on the road.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Kershaw Talley Barlow for a free case consultation at (916) 520-6639. 

Bill Kershaw is an avid cyclist and cycling enthusiast and is a proud proponent of various organizations in California that support bicycle advocacy and the rights of all cyclists in California.