When you think of a bicycle accident, you probably think of a bicyclist colliding with a car or hitting a pothole and tumbling over the handlebars. While it’s true that most bicycle accidents involve a car or a no-contact accident, bicycle versus bicycle accidents are more common than you might think, especially in the more crowded areas of Fresno.
California law actually requires bicyclists to follow the same rules of the road as drivers in vehicles, meaning that while on your bicycle, you must obey traffic laws, ride responsibly, and try to avoid crashing into anyone else while riding. However, If you find yourself in a bicycle versus bicycle accident in Fresno, what happens next is similar to a car accident except for a few aspects that are unique to these types of accidents.
Free Consultations For Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accident Victims in Fresno
While bicycle versus bicycle accidents are indeed unique, the results that they can cause are in line with other bicycle accidents. Injuries and damage to property frequently result from bicycle versus bicycle accidents, so you may need the assistance of our team of experienced and knowledgeable Fresno bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law.
We have years of experience in dealing with bicycle versus bicycle accidents, making sure that our clients have the representation and support they need to pay for their damages and medical bills.
If you have been in a bicycle versus bicycle accident in Fresno, contact us today for a free consultation.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Fresno
While its population isn’t as large as other California cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, Fresno has its fair share of both bicyclists and accidents. Data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) found that there were an average of 38.7 bicycle accidents in Fresno that caused injuries over the last three years.
Couple that with county trends of bicycle usage and accidents, and it quickly becomes apparent that bicycle versus bicycle accidents are becoming more common in Fresno and the surrounding area. In Fresno County, there were 385 bicycle accidents from 2017 to 2021, an average of about 96 per year.
These statistics demonstrate not only the prevalence of bicycle accidents in Fresno, but also the risk associated with riding your bicycle in Fresno. Most of the time, you can control how safe and responsible you are when riding your bike, but like other situations, you can’t account for how other bicyclists approach safety on their bike.
Can Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accidents Be Avoided in Fresno?
Bicycle versus bicycle accidents are unique in that they don’t involve a motor vehicle. However, many of the same dangers that are associated with a normal bicycle accident also exist in a bicycle versus bicycle accident. In fact, the danger is doubled in a bicycle versus bicycle accident, because it involves not one but two people on a bike. This means that the same relative lack of protection from an accident exists for both people involved.
While it’s impossible to totally avoid accidents, there are ways that you can reduce the chances of them happening. These include:
- Always obey traffic laws – California traffic laws are in place for a reason. Overall, the same rules that apply for driving a car also apply for riding your bike. That means keeping a safe distance (usually three feet) between you and other bikes and vehicles, no speeding, and making sure that you have a properly fitted helmet and bicycle.
- Wear high-visibility clothing – Many avid bicyclists wear high-visibility clothing and equipment to remain conspicuous for cars and other vehicles, but the same can also work for other bicyclists. This equipment and clothing is reflective or fluorescent, and is designed to be seen when riding at night, when visibility is low.
- Use proper hand signals – While most anyone can legally ride a bike on the road in Fresno, there are still some things to learn. One of the more common tasks for bicyclists is learning the proper hand signals to inform others on the road with you what you intend to do. Many bicycle accidents happen when another bike or person in a car isn’t aware that you’re turning or intend to turn. Many bicycles can also be fitted with actual turn signals to make others even more aware of the direction you’re turning in.
- Stay alert – This tip is probably the most beneficial for everyone involved. While many bicycle versus car accidents occur because a driver is distracted, the same can be said for bicycle versus bicycle accidents. A bicyclist could be looking around at other vehicles or trying to check their positioning or where they are on their trail and collide into you-or vice versa. Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is always the best way to avoid an accident.
Again, avoiding an accident isn’t always possible, but following these tips can greatly reduce the likelihood that a bicycle versus bicycle accident will happen to you. However, if it does, there are some things you should know about how to proceed with a claim.
Can I File a Claim In a Fresno Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accident?
The major difference between a bicycle versus bicycle accident is the process for filing a claim relating to your injuries and damages. In a normal bicycle accident with a car, the at-fault driver is typically responsible and liable, because they acted negligently and caused an accident that injured you. Then, you would typically file an insurance claim with their car insurance carrier.
However, in a bicycle versus bicycle accident that causes injuries, you don’t have this option. Instead, filing a claim for your injuries and damages involves filing with the at-fault bicyclists’ homeowner’s insurance or your own insurance if the bicyclist doesn’t have coverage. After that, the claims process is very similar to other accidents.
- Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance – By and large, bicycle versus bicycle accident claims can be made with the other bicyclists’ homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. While these policies aren’t specifically designed for covering injuries and damages in a bicycle accident like a car insurance policy is, they still have
- No Insurance coverage – Not every bicyclist has homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover potential accidents. In these situations, your insurance can cover your damages. Oftentimes, your insurance will treat these claims much like an uninsured motorist accident. Another option with no insurance coverage is to file a lawsuit against the at-fault bicyclist.
- Your own insurance – Filing a claim with your own homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is another way to recover compensation for your damages in a bicycle versus bicycles accident. Like any other claim, though, getting compensation from an insurance company can be quite difficult. Even if it’s for your own policy, insurance companies may try to blame you or do what they can to pay you as little as possible.
Again, while bicycle versus bicycle accidents are a bit unusual in terms of pursuing damages, the process is largely the same as any other accident. At the same time, dealing with an insurance company, even if it’s your own, presents its own set of challenges. That’s where our team of experienced Fresno bicycle versus bicycle accident injury lawyers can help you.
Experienced and Skilled Representation in Fresno Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accidents
Being in a bicycle accident is never an ideal situation, but especially when it involves another bicyclist. Our team of experienced and skilled Fresno bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law can help you determine who was liable for your damages and help you navigate the claims process to get the support you need. To learn more or to get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
