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Merced Bicycle Accident Lawyer

In California, cycling is becoming increasingly popular with many cities like Merced adopting programs aimed at getting people out of their cars and into alternative forms of transportation. In 2013, Merced adopted the Merced Bicycle Transportation Plan which promoted efforts to increase bicycle commuting in and around the city.

Merced participates in a program by Trail Link’s Rails to Trails Conservancy which creates shared use trails along railroad tracks. Merce is home to two of these popular trails giving cyclists a unique and scenic riding experience. Both Bear Creek Bikeway and Black Rascal Creek Bikeway combined give Merced cyclists almost 10 miles or bike trails that run along creeks and railroad tracks connecting riders to various parts of the city.

Merced Bicycle Accidents

Unfortunately, with all this increase in cycling comes an increase in risk of bike accident injuries. While Merced boasts one of California’s finest bike trail systems where you can find a bike trial to take you just about anywhere in the city, many bicycle commuters will inevitably have to ride alongside motor vehicles to get where they want to go.

There are many dangers for Merced cyclists when they enter the city streets among the cars and trucks. Some of the most common types of accidents faced by Merced cyclists are:

  • Motorist Tunnel Vision: Cyclists have a low profile compared to motor vehicles, and most drivers are not conditioned to look for bicycles when they are driving. This causes significant problems for cyclists, and is a factor in just about every motor vehicle-bicycle crash.
  • Right Hook: A right hook happens when a cyclist is riding along the far-right side of the right lane, and a motor vehicle takes a right turn into the path of the cyclist. This also happens when a cyclist is riding in a bike lane, and the car enters the bike lane and turns right without yielding to the right-of-way to the cyclist.
  • Left Turns: A left turn crash can be deadly to a cyclist and happens when a car turns left into the path of a cyclist that has the right-of-way. Most of the time, the driver simply doesn’t see the cyclist.
  • Dooring: A dooring accident happens when an occupant of a parked or stopped motor vehicle opens their door right in the path of a cyclist. Typically, they happen when bikes travel alongside a row or parked cars, or when a vehicle is stopped at a curb and is loading or unloading.
  • Blind Spots: Blind spots on motor vehicles are especially dangerous to cyclists due to the low profile of a bicycle and the tunnel vision of most drivers.
  • Bike Lanes: In California, if a cyclist can’t keep up with the flow of traffic, they are required to ride in a bike lane if it exists. Bike lanes are created to protect the cyclist, however, they have their problems. Cars illegally park in bike lanes, and sometimes they travel along rows of parked cars. Also, vehicles often travel illegally in bike lanes making it dangerous for the cyclist.

Common Bike Accident Injuries

At Maison Law, we strongly believe that a cyclist has the right to the road the same as other vehicles, and when someone fails to yield to the right-of-way of a cyclist, we are passionate about helping them get justice and to recover financially from the accident.

A bike is outweighed by a typical passenger vehicle by a factor of 20, and because of many times injuries can be severe. We have represented many injured cyclists with various degrees and types of injuries. Some of the more common types of these are:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Severe Concussions
  • Wrist Fractures
  • Broken Arms/Legs
  • Chest Compressions
  • Internal Injuries/Bleeding
  • Severe Road Rash

Contact a Merced Bicycle Accident Lawyer.

After any accident involving a serious injury in Merced, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice and the personalized attention to detail their case deserves.

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