Maison Law represents bicycle accident victims throughout Stockton. Our team of lawyers understands how devastating these accidents can be, especially when looking at the various statistics on the issue. Given the prevalence of these accidents, it’s important to understand your legal options. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bike accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
How Popular is Biking in Stockton?
Like many areas in California, biking is incredibly popular in Stockton. There’s many reasons for this, from great weather to many different options for riders of any skill level. No matter how you look at it, people on bicycles are a constant when you’re out and about in the city.
But this can also lead to more accidents. According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), there have been an average of:
- 2 bicycle accidents per year in Stockton between 2018 and 2022.
While the number of bicycle accidents has dropped in recent years, this still shows how prevalent these accidents are. Much like the popularity of biking, there’s also a number of reasons why accidents are so frequent. Most of the time, they involve drivers of other vehicles that:
- Don’t signal when changing lanes
- Fail to provide you or other cyclists with enough room
- Drive while drunk or under the influence
- Speed or drive recklessly
- Drive too fast for the road conditions
Fatal Bicycle Accidents in Stockton
By far the worst outcome of a bicycle accident in Stockton is injuries that are so severe that they result in loss of life. Unfortunately, fatal bicycle accidents have been known to happen. TIMS data found that between 2018 and 2022, the city:
- Averaged 4.2 fatal bicycle accidents per year.
Not every bicycle accident, obviously, turns out to be fatal. But often, the level of injuries are more severe–even if you take steps to protect yourself. The reality is that you have virtually no protection against a moving vehicle while on a bike. So, when there’s a collision, it can leave you with any number of injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Severe damage to internal organs
With such a high risk of these serious injuries, it becomes even more important to take safety measures while you ride your bike. This means:
- Always wearing a helmet
- Wearing high-visibility clothing and equipment
- Using a designated bike lane or riding in the opposite direction of oncoming traffic
- Putting signal lights on your bike
Age Groups and Bicycle Accidents
Aside from the severity of injuries, one of the most unique factors of bike accidents are that they happen across all age groups. This isn’t surprising, given the fact that biking is an activity that’s enjoyed by people of every age. In Stockton, the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System data found that of the city’s 81 bicycle accidents in 2023, the highest number of accidents happened to:
- Riders aged 14 and under (21.7%)
Obviously, this age group is much more vulnerable to accidents on bikes because they:
- May not understand the risks
- Won’t take necessary safety precautions
- Don’t have an understanding of how traffic works or the law
- Have a still-developing body
Along those same lines, the particular age group that saw a higher number of accidents was those:
- Aged 50-54 (12.05%)
Much like younger bike riders, older bike riders face vulnerabilities to accidents because of:
- Reduced reaction time
- Health complications
- Less mobility
- Vision or hearing issues
All of these things factor into a bike accident, but what’s important to remember is that it can happen at any time.
When Do Most Bike Accidents Happen in Stockton?
Even though Stockton has a great environment for bike riding, the fact is that most accidents are going to happen within certain parameters. More to the point, it’s much more likely that you’d be involved in one of these accidents during the day and during peak traffic hours, like the morning commute or rush hour. Likewise, it’s not as likely to be involved in a bike accident at night, simply because that’s when visibility is at the lowest.
With that said, SWITRS data showed that the most bicycle accidents happened in the city between:
- 3:00 PM and 5:59 PM.
As you might expect, this happens to be an extremely busy time in the city. Not only does it catch school buses loading and unloading students, it also is a peak time for mailmen and package deliveries. Then, the later part of the timeframe catches people driving home from work. As a bicyclist, it’s also an ideal time for riding. When all of these things collide, accidents are common.
Protect Your Legal Rights With Maison Law
No matter what the circumstances are that led up to your bicycle accident, our Stockton bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law will be there to stand up for your rights and help you through the legal process. Whether you decide to go through an insurance company or file a lawsuit in court, our experienced team can guide your claim to a fair conclusion.
If you want to learn more about our process or your legal options, contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
