Maison Law can help you through the claims process if you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident in Redding. While biking is a great way to get around and see the sights of the city, it’s also pretty dangerous when there’s an accident. Our team will be there to guide you through the entire thing from start to finish. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
You might be wondering—do I really need a lawyer after a bike accident? The short answer is: not legally, but having one can make a big difference. You can technically file a claim on your own, but it’s rarely simple. Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay, and figuring out who’s responsible isn’t always straightforward. And the more hurt you are, the harder everything else becomes. THat’s when you should really think about working with our team. We can help you:
- Understand your rights so you know what to expect and what you can actually claim.
- Investigate the accident fully, whether it means tracking down witnesses, reviewing traffic footage, or checking road conditions.
- Handle insurance negotiations so you don’t have to worry about calls, letters, or lowball offers.
- Gather and organize evidence like photos, police reports, and medical records to strengthen your case.
When you’re recovering from a bike accident, your focus should be on getting better—not fighting insurance companies or chasing paperwork. Our team helps take that weight off your shoulders.
What Information Can Help My Bicycle Accident Claim?
When you’re in an accident while riding your bike, it’s normal to feel shaken, confused, or overwhelmed. But the information you gather early can make a big difference when filing a claim. Here’s what can really help:
- Driver’s information – Try to get the basics: their name, insurance info, and a description of their car. Even small details, like the license plate number or car color, can make a big difference—especially if it’s a hit-and-run.
- Witness information – If anyone saw what happened, jot down their names and numbers. Having someone else confirm your side of the story can be really important if there’s ever a disagreement.
- Pictures and videos – Try to get pictures of the scene, your bike, and any visible injuries. If there’s video footage from a nearby business or traffic camera, that can be a huge help too.
- Accident reports – Getting a copy of the report from Redding PD or CHP gives you an official record. It notes details like traffic signals, right-of-way, and whether the driver got cited.
- Medical records – Keep a record of all your treatments, from ER visits to follow-ups. These documents link your injuries directly to the accident.
- Personal notes – Write down things you might forget later: the time, weather, traffic, and even what people said at the scene. Those little details can end up being really important.
You don’t need to gather everything at once—especially if you’re injured or focused on recovery. Even partial information is helpful, and your legal team can assist in tracking down what you might have missed.
Who’s Responsible For My Injuries in a Bicycle Accident?
You might think it’s simple—if a car hits you, the driver pays. But it’s not always that clear. Who’s responsible depends on what actually happened, and sometimes more than one person or entity could be involved. Here’s the usual lineup:
- Drivers – Distracted, reckless, or speeding drivers are the most common cause of bike accidents. Even a small mistake, like failing to yield at an intersection, can lead to serious injuries.
- City or state agencies – If a pothole, debris, or unclear road signs caused your crash, the city of Redding or Caltrans might share some responsibility. Roads are meant to be safe, and when hazards aren’t fixed, accidents can happen.
- Other cyclists or pedestrians – Bikes and pedestrians don’t always play nice in shared spaces. Someone swerving into your path or stepping into a bike lane unexpectedly could be partly at fault.
- Bike manufacturers – Rare, but sometimes a defective brake, tire, or frame contributes to a crash. That could make the manufacturer responsible.
Some accidents are obvious—like a driver running a red light on Cypress Avenue. Others involve multiple parties, shared fault, or gray areas. That makes the process a bit more difficult, but no matter what the circumstances are, you have the option of filing a claim and recovering damages after one of these accidents.
What Kind of Claim Do I File After a Bicycle Accident?
Your main goal after a bicycle accident is usually pretty simple: get help covering the costs from your injuries and any other damage. But there are a couple of ways to go about it:
- An insurance claim – This usually means working with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s often faster than going to court, but insurance companies tend to offer less than your full losses unless you push back with solid evidence.
- A personal injury lawsuit – If negotiations stall or the insurance payout isn’t enough to cover everything, you can file a lawsuit in civil court. This takes longer, but it lets a judge or jury decide what your claim is worth.
In either scenario, your “damages” are going to be based on your injuries and losses, as well as how much evidence you have to back them up. So, when you file a claim, you’re asking for financial support relating to your:
- Medical bills and ongoing care
- Lost wages or a reduced ability to earn money in the future
- Repairing or replacing your bike
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Funeral costs, in the case of a fatal accident
California law usually gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence, get accurate witness accounts, and strengthen your case.
Where Will I Find Bicycle Lanes in Redding?
Like many other cities in California, Redding has been making strides to make riding a bike safer. And while accidents can happen anywhere, knowing the different types of bike lanes and where you’ll find them can help you plan safer rides:
- Class I Shared-Use Paths – These are off-street trails shared with pedestrians. They’re great for casual rides or family outings. A good example is the Sacramento River Trail, where you can ride mostly away from traffic.
- Class II Bike Lanes – These are the painted lanes on the road, usually next to traffic, like on Cypress Avenue or Churn Creek Road. They give you a designated space, but you still need to watch for cars turning or opening doors.
- Class III Bike Routes – Class III Bike Routes are marked with “sharrows,” and the lanes are shared with cars. Parts of Hilltop Drive use this setup, so you need to stay alert and predictable.
- Class IV Protected Bike Lane – Class IV lanes are usually the safest because they are physically separated from traffic. They often include barriers, curbs, or parked cars to provide a safe and comfortable space for riders. As of August 2024, the city has begun construction on a Class IV Protected Bike Lane running from California to Division Streets.
To see a complete map of these lanes, you can check out the city’s Active Transportation Plan. But even with bike lanes, accidents can still happen—construction, parked cars, or distracted drivers can all create potential accident risks. Riding smart, staying visible, and knowing the rules helps reduce this risk. Outside of that, though, you also need to know where the hotspots are for accidents.
Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen Most in Redding?
While accidents can happen anywhere, some spots see more crashes than others. Here are a few places to watch out for:
- Cypress Avenue and Hilltop Drive – Fast-moving traffic, tricky turns, and drivers in a hurry make these intersections hotspots.
- Downtown Redding – Intersections, parking lots, and cars pulling in and out of businesses create tight spaces where crashes happen.
- Churn Creek Road and nearby intersections – Narrow lanes and stop-and-go traffic increase the chances of collisions.
- School zones – Areas around Shasta College and local schools have heavy pedestrian and bike activity, especially during drop-off and pick-up.
- Sacramento River Trail entry points – Scenic trails are great for riding, but accidents can happen where paths meet streets or parking lots.
Knowing these areas doesn’t prevent every accident, but it helps you ride with extra caution. And if something does happen, having a team familiar with these spots makes getting through your claim much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to court for a bike accident claim?
Not always. Most bike accident claims start with insurance negotiations. Court usually only comes into play if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement or multiple people are involved.
Are hit-and-run bicycle accidents common in Redding?
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents are unfortunately common in Redding, just like they are in other areas. Even if the driver flees the scene, your own insurance and legal options can still help you recover.
Can I share fault for my accident?
Yes, even with a bike accident. If you weren’t paying attention or drifted out of your bike lane and into traffic, you can share some of the responsibility. You can still file a claim, but your damages will be reduced because of “comparative negligence.”
Our Redding Bicycle Accident Team Can Help
Redding is a great place to ride, but a bike accident can change everything in an instant. That’s where our Redding bicycle accident lawyers come in. We handle your claim from start to finish– explaining your options, gathering evidence, and then helping you file a claim so you can focus on getting better. Whether your accident happened on Cypress Avenue, Hilltop Drive, or anywhere else in Redding, we’re here to make sure you get back on the road. Set up a free consultation today.
