San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney

A Bicycle Accident Attorney in San Francisco Defending Your Rights

With driving around San Francisco being a hassle, many people are now turning to bicycling to commute around the city. Although bicycling may seem like a sensible alternative, bicycle accidents are becoming a leading cause of injury in the Bay Area.  

Have you been injured in a bicycle accident in San Francisco? You need a legal team that can handle your case from start to finish. Contact the Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. to set up your free case evaluation today.  

What are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents are most commonly caused by negligent drivers. The two main drivers that are commonly negligent are passenger car and truck operators.

A driver is negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care, resulting in injury to another. Most often, a driver’s negligence results in them not seeing the bicyclist.

Motorists may fail to see a bicyclist due to any of the following factors:

• Distraction
• Lack of visibility
• Dangerous roads
• Failure to yield
• Driving impaired

In order to not catch drivers off-guard, bicyclists have been advised to travel in the same direction as traffic and to use clear hand signals before making turns. As advised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bicyclists should obey all traffic signals, signs, and road markings. Additionally, in California, bicyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet.  

A bicyclist is never entirely safe while sharing the road with motorists. Even if a bicyclist follows all the rules of the road, there is always the chance that another vehicle operator is distracted or driving impaired. As the injured party, you deserve to be compensated fairly for your injuries. 

Types of Injuries

The following injuries are typical in bicycle accidents:

• Concussions 
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial Trauma
• Skull and dental fractures
• Leg, knee, or foot fractures

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) compromises brain function.  Approximately 176 Americans die from traumatic brain injuries every day. Often vehicle collisions result in more moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. Someone with a moderate to severe case will likely need hospitalization and require ongoing care for their recovery.

Steps to Take After Being in a Bicycle Accident

If you have been in a bicycle accident, you should take the following steps immediately following the accident:

• Move over to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic
• Call for an ambulance if there are any injuries
• Contact the police (even if there are no obvious injuries or property damage)
• Give your report to the police
• Obtain contact information for all drivers involved
• Take photographs of the accident scene and any vehicle damage
• Notify your insurance company immediately
• Seek a case evaluation from a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney 

Contact a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney Immediately

The legal team at the Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. understands your legal rights. Contact us today to receive your free case evaluation. Let us bring the wrongful party to justice.