Yes. It’s illegal to park in bike lanes in California. A FedEx driver who caused a bicycle accident directly or indirectly would be liable. Injured riders could file an accident claim against FedEx and demand help with medical bills, lost income, and more.
A skilled California bicycle accident lawyer would fully investigate the accident and make sure everyone who contributed to the accident, including FedEx, was forced to provide for the victim. This would help an injured rider secure the best medical care available and be able to afford that care.
Risks for Cyclists When Fed Ex Vans Park in Bike Lanes
Living in California, we’ve probably all seen a delivery van parked in a bike lane. It might be there for 30 seconds or less, or it might be there for much longer. Unless you are a cyclist coming upon this scene, you might not realize how much risk this creates for riders.
Here are just a few of the dangerous scenarios that might play out.
- A FedEx driver may brake quickly and stop in front of riders just a few strides behind. Riders can strike a truck at full speed and suffer broken bones and scary Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).
- A rider may lose control while trying to spot a safe way around and tumble to the road surface. They can suffer arm and facial fractures and road rash, among other consequences.
- A rider may be forced out into lanes of vehicle traffic. Cyclists have every right to take a lane when a bike lane is blocked, but a careless driver can still put a rider in serious jeopardy. A bicyclist could be struck by a vehicle and end up on the pavement, vulnerable to other approaching vehicles.
These and other outcomes are why parking in a bike lane is prohibited in California. California Vehicle Code 21211. explains that people aren’t allowed to park bikes or vehicles in a bikeway, trail, or path. The law makes an exception for some city and county vehicles, tow trucks at work, and newspaper delivery workers dropping off a paper.
FedEx must make sure their employees know the dangers of parking on bike lanes. When their drivers cause cyclists to get hurt, they must accept full responsibility for recovery costs.
Who Is Responsible When FedEx Causes a Bicycle Accident?
FedEx does provide insurance to its full-time drivers, but they also farm out deliveries to contract drivers from time to time. This is why a bicycle accident claim can get complex.
A California Bicycle Accident Lawyer can help victims determine who should be helping with medical bills and who has the most insurance coverage to draw from.
These are a few of the scenarios that could play out:
- FedEx. FedEx helps the victims of their drivers’ mistakes. They provide millions of dollars in coverage for their full-time employees on the road. Injured riders can draw from this coverage, but the more expensive the care for recovery, the harder FedEx will fight to avoid accountability. A massive company like FedEx can also afford corporate lawyers who will try to shift blame in the accident or devalue a bicyclist’s injuries. You may need an attorney to help take on FedEx, its insurance adjusters, and its legal department just to get fair treatment.
- Contract Drivers for FedEx. FedEx also uses independent contractors to make some deliveries. These delivery personnel may work for themselves or for a local delivery business. Drivers who cause accidents should have their own car insurance coverage, but it will usually be the lowest protection that California allows. A lawyer can help you determine if the driver’s employer or FedEx might also be financially responsible.
- Another Driver Involved. In some cases, a delivery van in a bike lane may force a rider out into traffic lanes, only to get struck by a driver who just happened to be passing by. If the driver wasn’t properly watching the road and could have avoided the accident, that driver’s policy would also come into play. However, in California, multiple parties that contributed to an accident can be held liable. It’s possible the driver and FedEx would both owe you support.
Contact a Lawyer Serving California Bicycle Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a bike collision caused by a careless FedEx driver, discuss your case with a skilled California Bicycle Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. Bicycle accident victims should never be left to face the costs of recovery alone.
Contact Maison Law to make sure you are clear on the rights you have as a victim and the benefits that are available to you and your family. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to all bicycle accident victims and their families. We want to make sure victims get the support they need to recover and return to the road again.
If you feel we can help you earn more for your injury, you won’t need any upfront money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement check an insurance company provides.
