It’s pretty easy to see why CVC 21203 is in place: to prevent accidents and injuries caused when a rider is being towed along behind a moving vehicle. This is incredibly dangerous, but the law actually doesn’t outlaw bicycles from pulling properly attached trailers or devices designed for carrying passengers or cargo. That raises an important question: when would you need this law?
When Would You Need CVC 21203?
As codified, CVC 21203 states that:
- “No person riding upon any motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any streetcar or vehicle on the roadway.”
Obviously, if you spend any amount of time riding your bike, you probably know instinctively that you shouldn’t latch onto the back of a moving vehicle. Yet, as the law shows, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that you could be involved in an accident in this situation. That’s when you’ll need to think about your legal options.
What Legal Options Do You Have If You’re Injured in a Towing Bicycle Accident?
When you’re riding your bike in California, you have to follow the same traffic laws as everyone else. And while virtually anyone would say that being injured in an accident while being towed behind a car, you still have legal options. This is because California follows a “comparative negligence” system. This means that you can file a claim when you’re injured because of someone else’s negligence. The difference is that your damages are usually reduced based on the amount of fault you have in the accident.
So effectively, you have the same rights as any other bicycle accident victim, your recovery is just going to be reduced. What’s more, an insurance company is going to try to argue that it was your actions that led to the accident. While true, you can still defend against their tactics to reduce their liability to strengthen your claim as much as possible.
From there, you’ll file either an insurance claim or a lawsuit to recover damages like:
- Medical expenses – This covers your hospital bills, doctor visits, medication, rehabilitation, and any ongoing treatments.
- Lost income – If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover any lost income, including future earnings.
- Property damage – This provides repair or replacement costs for your bicycle and any other damaged belongings.
- Pain and suffering – This covers costs relating to your physical pain and discomfort from your injuries.
- Reduced quality of life – This covers costs for the impact your injuries have on your daily activities and overall well-being.
- Wrongful death expenses – If your injuries are fatal (which is common in these kinds of accidents), your surviving family can file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses and other things relating to your death.
Filing a claim after a bicycle accident can be complicated, but our team is here to handle everything for you by:
- Gathering evidence, including witness statements, medical records, and accident reports, to build a strong case.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to make sure you receive a fair settlement.
- Protect your rights and make sure you don’t settle for less than you need.
Don’t wait too long to act–California law generally gives you only two years to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to getting much-needed financial support for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
