Maison Law represents injured bicycle accident victims in Bakersfield.
When you are hospitalized, immobilized, or otherwise seriously injured following a bicycle accident in Bakersfield, handling an injury claim can feel overwhelming. Yet a misstep can lead to a significantly reduced award. That’s why it’s essential to consult with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Maison Law to not only receive financial justice, but to have a path forward once your case is resolved.
Our initial consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Injury Claims Process
Step 1
Call Us For A Free Consultation
Call us 24/7 with No Obligations.
Step 2
Describe Your Accident Details
We will then discuss your legal options and decide whether to move your case forward.
Step 3
Retain Maison Law w/ No Upfront Fees
We work on contingency. No attorney fees unless you win your case.
Step 4
Receive Your Compensation
We will fight for you to earn the highest possible payout for your damages.
When Bicycle Accident Victims Should Contact a Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you’ve most likely suffered serious injuries. But if you’ve only suffered minor scratches and bruises, then it is unlikely you’ll need an attorney; however, it never hurts to consult with one. We recommend consulting with a Bicycle Accident Attorney at Maison Law if the following scenarios occur:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. At Maison Law, we can help you build a strong case to receive fair compensation.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident, you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for causing the accident, but are not at fault, our attorneys can protect you and assign liability to the at-fault parties. At Maison Law, we can also help minimize liability if you are found at fault.
- Liability: If you’re concerned about your liability limits, insurance status, or lack of insurance, Maison Law can help you, even in difficult situations.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. Maison Law can manage the legalities with multiple parties, and your best interests are protected against everyone involved.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, we will gather evidence to support your claim.
Get a Free Consultation
Maison Law offers a free consultation to all injured victims in Bakersfield. Our Personal Injury Attorneys are here to discuss the details of your incident at no cost to you and evaluate if you have an injury claim and the next steps you should take. Everything you discuss with us is protected under attorney-client privilege, even if you decide not to take legal action. For more information, contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Damages You Can Recover for a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can cause devastating financial and personal losses. Under California law, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- All past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Property damage, including bicycle repair or replacement
- Disability accommodations, such as mobility equipment or home modifications
- Physical pain and suffering, including chronic pain and permanent disability
- Emotional pain and suffering, including anxiety, depression, and mental anguish
At Maison Law, we work with medical professionals and life care planners to determine the compensation you’ll need to live the rest of your life after a serious injury.
Legal Options for Injured Bakersfield Cyclists
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. California is a fault state, meaning negligent drivers are financially liable for the accidents they cause. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:
- File an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver
- Pursue a product liability claim against a manufacturer if a defective bike or vehicle component caused your accident
- File a claim against a government agency if dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, contributed to your crash
For more information, contact us for a free case review, and one of our Bicycle Accident Attorneys can evaluate your situation and identify the strongest path toward fair compensation.
What to Do After a Bike Accident
If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, we recommend the following steps to protect your safety and liability in the incident:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor (which is unlikely in a truck accident), they can manifest into something much worse weeks later. So, it is recommended to check in with a doctor to make sure everything is okay.
- Call the Police: Failing to alert the police does not help your case, especially if the case comes down to your word over the driver who hit you. A police officer will file an accident report and may even assign blame based on their collision assessment. A police report is critical evidence in any claim and will play a key role in ensuring you are fully compensated.
- Gather Evidence: You should document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take pictures of the damage to your property, to your injuries, skid marks on the road, and street signs or landmarks. Take a video of yourself recounting the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. And if there are any eyewitnesses, be sure to get their names and numbers as they can testify on your behalf or provide a statement to corroborate your story.
- Collect Information: Exchange insurance information with the driver, and be sure to get their name, phone number, and contact information.
- Contact Maison Law: Our firm is standing by to help injured victims physically and financially recover. Call, text, or email. Our door is always open, and we’d love to help you recover from this difficult time.
Dangerous Intersections for Bicyclists in Bakersfield
Bakersfield has earned a troubling reputation when it comes to cyclist safety. Bakersfield saw 70 bicycle accidents in 2023 that caused 71 injuries and two deaths. This is a 40% increase from two years prior, making it arguably the most dangerous place in California to ride a bike, according to Bakersfield Now.
The most dangerous spots for cyclists in the Bakersfield area include:
- Ming Avenue and New Stine Road: the most dangerous intersection in Bakersfield, with 40 recorded crashes since 2011.
- Union Avenue and California Avenue: one of the highest-scoring danger intersections in Kern County, with crash severity keeping its danger score tied for the worst in the region.
- Gosford Road and Ming Avenue and Real Road and Wilson Road: two other critical junctions in southwest Bakersfield that see high traffic volumes and correspondingly high accident rates.
- Union Avenue and Niles Street and Q Street and Golden State Avenue: both carrying danger scores of 36, with a combination of fatal, serious injury, and minor injury crashes.
California Right-of-Way Laws for Bicyclists
California Vehicle Code 21200 awards cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. This entitles bicyclists to the right-of-way just like all the other drivers on the road. However, for your own safety, it is important to remain aware of motorists as not all drivers recognize this law or respect the rights of bicyclists on the road. Other laws outlining the rights of bicyclists on the road include:
- California Vehicle Code 21209: this law prohibits other drivers from driving in the bike lane except to park in permitted areas, or when leaving or entering the roadway.
- California Vehicle Code 22517: this statute covers dooring. Dooring is when a driver opens their vehicle door into the path of an oncoming rider. Under this law, no driver shall open the door of their vehicle on the side that is available to moving traffic unless it can be done in a reasonably safe manner and without interfering with moving traffic.
- Bicyclists in traffic: cyclists are required to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible except when they’re trying to avoid a hazard, turn left, or when passing. They are also required to signal their movements when turning or preparing to change lanes.
- Riding on sidewalks and crosswalks: California allows cyclists to ride legally in crosswalks. Some cities permit cyclists to ride on sidewalks, but some cities have banned cyclists from using the sidewalks.
Bakersfield Bicycle Laws
When it comes to bicycle laws in California, each city has different laws. So, the rules for cyclists can change as quickly as the Santa Ana winds from city to city. Cyclists biking in the city of Bakersfield must adhere to the following municipal codes:
- Bakersfield Municipal Code 52.010: it is unlawful for any person upon a bicycle, skates, skateboard, or by means of any coaster, toy, vehicle or similar device to upon any sidewalk in the central traffic district or Old Town Kern, as further defined in 10.08.020, or upon the steps, landings, entranceways or halls of city hall or any other city owned building.
- Bakersfield Municipal Code 52.20: on any street where a bicycle lane has been established, bicycles shall be restricted to that bicycle lane and shall be required to follow any direction or pavement markings pertaining to the bicycle lane. Bicycles shall have the right-of-way over all vehicles when properly within the bicycle lane.
What Our Clients Say
Contact a Bakersfield Bicycle Crash Lawyer
While California has laws cyclists must follow to be safe, property owners, government entities, and other motorists still owe a duty of care for cyclists. On the road, cyclists are offered practically no protection from serious hazards, making them far more likely to be seriously injured in an accident, or in worse cases, killed. That’s why having an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer on your side is vital to your compensation.
The dedicated team of California Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Maison Law understand how essential it is to receive compensation after a bicycle accident injury. Our firm will aggressively pursue liable parties to recover the maximum amount of damages you’re owed. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, confidential consultation to see what legal options are available for your situation.
