Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only law firm representing clients in Pleasanton and Dublin that exclusively represents cyclists. To learn more about how our bicycle accident lawyers can help you with your injury claim or wrongful death claim, contact us today for a free consultation at 866-242-9253.
Representing cyclists in Pleasanton and Dublin California
On the morning June 23rd, 2016, a 72-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed at the intersection of Valley Avenue and Stanley Boulevard in downtown Pleasanton. She was riding in the crosswalk when a car traveling east collided with her. While fatal crashes are not common in the Pleasanton/Dublin area, intersections like Stanley Boulevard and Valley Avenue pose a daily threat to cyclists. Signal timing, poorly marked bike lanes, and cars speeding through intersections make bicycling treacherous.
In response to bike commuter’s safety concerns, many California cities are adopting master plans to help protect drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. Cities in Alameda County (including Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore) are in the process of rolling out transit strategies with the intent of streamlining traffic patterns and reducing accidents for all road users. Revising and improving existing transit infrastructure is a multi-year process with tangible benefits; but while these changes are promising for cyclists, collisions remain an ever present risk. That is why having proper legal representation in the event of an accident is key to making a successful recovery.
If you’re injured while riding your bicycle, Bay Area Bicycle Law is here to help. As the only bicycle-exclusive law firm serving the Pleasanton/Dublin area, we’re here to ensure cyclists get proper compensation after an accident. Crashes do more than just damage your bicycle: missed work, medical bills, and long-term health effects can all come into play. Our mission is to ease the burdens of bureaucracy, insurance dealings, and litigation that our clients would otherwise have to face alone.
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, our purpose is to uphold the rights of cyclists who are involved in accidents. Reach out to us at (415)-466-8717 or email us for a free consultation. Our services are available at no out-of-pocket cost to you. While we work on getting your compensation for your accident, we’re also able to help you navigate outstanding medical bills and, if uninsured/underinsured, help find medical providers. We understand that bike crashes can be a life altering event. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we’re committed to getting you back on two wheels as soon as possible.
Common Cycling Accidents in Pleasanton
Bay Area Bicycle Law is a firm with extensive experience in bicycle law litigation. As such, there are certain accidents that we see very frequently. These include:
- Right-of-way violations
- Cyclists being side-swiped
- Dooring (where someone exiting a parked car opens their door into oncoming bike traffic)
- Cars making improper right turns
While bicycling is a popular activity throughout California, places like Dublin or Pleasanton don’t have the same high volumes of bicycle traffic that larger bay area cities, like San Francisco or Oakland, do. Smaller bicycle presence often means less awareness by drivers. Furthermore, because Dublin and Pleasanton have more country/rural roads, vehicles often travel at higher speeds, reducing drivers’ reaction time, and causing more severe crashes. These factors, as well as the rise in distracted driving, can make for dangerous riding conditions.
Distracted Driving
The CDC noted that in 2015 alone, 391,000 people in the United States were injured in crashes involving a motor vehicle and a distracted driver. Distracted driving, as defined by the CDC, is partaking in any activity that takes the one’s attention away from the act of driving. Distractions are divided into three categories: visual, manual, and cognitive. Most campaigns and infographics created by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the National Safety Council (NSC) center around cell phone usage as the main catalyst in distracted driving accidents. (http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html)
It doesn’t take much for a car to drift outside of the painted lane when the person behind the wheel is texting. Unfortunately, cyclists often need to take additional precautions to avoid collisions with distracted drivers, such as staying as far to the right as practicable and always signaling when changing lanes. Wearing visible clothing and using bike lights (even during the daytime) is also recommended.
Medical Consequences of a Bicycle Crash
A crash has far more severe repercussions to the cyclist than the driver. Broken bones, torn ligaments, brain damage, and internal bleeding are potential physical consequences of a collision. But the repercussions often reverberate far beyond the injuries themselves, leading to missed work, debt from medical bills, and property damage. With bicycle accidents on the rise, it’s more important than ever for cyclists to stay vigilant on the road.
After crashing, it’s important to keep in mind that adrenalin can mask physical symptoms and injuries. Seeking medical assistance is one of the most important things you can do following an accident. Even if you don’t feel injured initially, some injuries may not be readily apparent. Being evaluated by a medical provider is a time-sensitive issue that can help identify and treat injuries, as well as affect the outcome of your case.
UIM Coverage
Many cyclists who have automotive insurance do not have Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) as part of their package. It is a little known fact that UIM coverage also extends protection to you as a pedestrian or cyclist! This coverage is critical for bicyclists seeking reimbursement for damages after an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. If you’re a bicycle rider, Bay Area Bicycle Law recommends checking with your automotive insurance carrier to make sure you have this type of coverage. With UIM coverage and our help, the likelihood of receiving rightful compensation for your recovery increases exponentially.
Bicycle awareness in Pleasanton/Dublin
The city of Pleasanton has embraced bicyclists and is taking steps to improve rider safety. Pleasanton has recently begun hosting an annual Bicycle Safety Festival at the Pleasanton Library and Civic Center. The event occurs in April and is free to attend. Activities are led by the Pleasanton Fire Department, Bike East Bay, and Save Moves, and include a bicycle safety obstacle course, helmet fitting and exchange, and free bike tune-ups. For more information, check http://admin.cityofpleasantonca.gov/visitor/gettingaround/2015_bike_events/bicycle_safety_festival.asp.
As a more official introduction to safe riding in the streets, Pleasanton has partnered with Dublin to offer bike safety classes that cater to beginners and families alike. The two-part class is held at both the Dublin Library and Livermore Civic Center Library. Attendees will learn safe riding practices and the rules of the road. Day two of the class is where the rubber literally meets the road, as participants are taught better bike handling skills and crash avoidance maneuvers. Snacks and drinks are provided, and participants are given free bike lights for attending. Check the website to see when new classes are being made available: http://admin.cityofpleasantonca.gov/visitor/gettingaround/2015_bike_events/bike_safety_n_education.asp.
Pleasanton Bicycle Accident FAQs
If I got injured on my bike, do I need a bicycle injury attorney?
The laws regarding bicycles and automobiles are not the same, so if you got injured while riding your bike you should have an attorney who understands bicycle law. Auto accidents make up most of the cases for a general personal injury firm, and while that’s great if you got injured driving your car, you need an attorney who knows how to get cyclists the compensation they deserve.
The insurance company for the driver who hit me offered to pay me for my claim, should I call them back?
Don’t talk to anyone until you speak to a lawyer who has your best interests in mind. If you accept any funds from them, it might jeopardize further compensation. When you talk to them, they can use what you say against you. Talk to an attorney at Bay Area Bicycle Law who knows both personal injury and bicycle law so you know your rights under the law.
If the driver of the car that hit me while on my bike took off, how can I get compensation?
Both Pleasanton and Livermore have seen their share of hit-and-run bicycle accidents. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we know where to look for compensation for hit and run injuries. For example, if you have your own auto policy, you might be able to make a claim using your uninsured and underinsured policy provision to pay you for your injuries. Call us today to see what can be done.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Lawyer today
If you were involved in a bicycling accident, seeking legal representation immediately is the most important choice you can make to ensure proper compensation. A crash is a jarring and confusing experience, made worse by insurance company run-around, confusing legal procedures, and unending paperwork. Having a legal advocate on your side relieves those stresses so that you can fully focus on your recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us at bayareabicyclelaw.com or 415-466-8717 to get started.
Image credit: californiathegreat – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link