You don’t have to look hard for a reason to visit San Francisco. Some of the most iconic sites in the world are right here in the bay area. The Golden Gate Bridge is a hard to miss example of the widescreen scenery. Sometimes the most efficient way to see everything is to hop on a bicycle.
San Francisco has many bike touring companies that will be glad to lead you around the unique neighborhoods, China Town, and even the STEEP hills if you’re up to it.
A bike is a fantastic way to get street level with the true San Francisco but be warned that you could be facing big-city dangers that you may not be familiar with.
San Francisco Bicycle Dangers
A vacation in San Francisco can seem like a dream, especially when touring on a bike in that crisp air. But if you’re in the city on two wheels, in a group or on your own, you’ll still need to watch for all the hazards a cyclist faces in a city as busy as San Francisco.
In fact, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) declared a state of emergency for city traffic safety in 2019. Pedestrians and Cyclists were getting struck so often it was felt something had to be done.
It’s a sad reminder about such a beautiful city. If you plan on visiting and enjoying a ride on the streets, know the risks involved when braving San Francisco traffic.
Bicycle Accidents Away from Home
A vacation is supposed to be an escape from worry and stress. But if you get in a serious bicycle accident you could be stuck in a hospital, far away from home and far away from family support. The emotional trauma may be even greater if a careless driver landed you in this situation.
During a painful recovery, you may be forced to consider filing a claim against the person responsible for your injuries. This may be difficult to do on your own, especially if you’re only a visitor to California. State laws may differ in your own state.
Contacting a local, experienced attorney from Bay Area Bicycle Law can be an enormous help to you as you recover. Our attorneys know state law and the best ways to get the most coverage for your injuries from the responsible driver and his or her insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was partially at fault in my Bicycle Accident?
You may feel like your actions on a bicycle were partially to blame for the accident. Perhaps riding on unfamiliar streets caused you to take an unadvised route. That doesn’t mean you should forget about filing a claim.
Fortunately, California is a pure comparative negligence state. That means both the driver and the rider can share the blame in an accident. They can be assigned a percentage of the fault.
For example, a pedestrian may be found to be 20% at fault for an accident, but a driver might be found to be 80% responsible. In that case, a pedestrian could still get compensation for injuries and other losses, but the 20% blame he or she shared would be deducted from the final award.
How long do I have to file a Bicycle Accident Claim in San Francisco?
The State of California generally provides victims up to two years to file a claim after an accident. We recommend that victims don’t wait this long though. To build a strong case, evidence and reports will need to be collected. The more time that passes, the harder it’ll be to gather these details. A quick response is especially important after an accident caused by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver.
Can I file a Bicycle Accident Claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You can still file for damages in a bicycle accident even if you weren’t wearing a helmet. The concept of comparative negligence would come into play here too. You might be assigned part of the blame for your injuries if you rode without a helmet, but the driver involved could also take a percentage of the blame for careless driving. You could be awarded damages, with your percentage of your blame subtracted.
Contact a San Francisco Bicycle Law Attorney
If you or a family member has been injured in a bicycle accident while visiting the Bay Area please trust us with your case. We will help you get the compensation you’re owed from those at fault and work to get you back in your own home as soon as possible.
Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only personal injury law firm in Northern California to specialize exclusively in representing injured cyclists. Years of advocacy for bicycle victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills, knowledge base and familiarity to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise.
Contact us today for a free consultation. California cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers are entitled to a wide array of compensation. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest.