Maison Law is an advocate for safe bicycle rides in Turlock and proudly represents the victims of Turlock bicycle accidents.
Our personal injury lawyers aggressively seek compensation for our clients from insurance companies who cover at-fault drivers.
Please contact us after an accident caused by a driver’s recklessness.
We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all cycling injury victims. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your injury may be worth and how to hold insurance companies fully responsible for recovery costs.
Do I Need to Call a Lawyer After a Turlock Bicycle Accident?
It’s not all that common, but sometimes bicyclists are sent into a tumble by a careless driver and are able to pop right back up. They may have some scratches and soreness, and some bike damage, but otherwise will be okay. For minor accidents, you may not need the help of a lawyer to be treated fairly.
But when the injuries go further, such as a broken wrist, facial fractures, or head injuries, victims may find it hard to get help from an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider. Insurers get nervous when medical bills escalate and they turn to unfair tactics to try to avoid taking financial responsibility.
Adjusters will try to blame you for your crash, or even claim that your serious injuries aren’t all that bad. They want to get away with offering you less than what you’ll need to recover, leaving you stuck paying for the rest of your losses. Your lawyer is there to shield you from these underhanded tactics. Your lawyer helps you spot “lowball” bicycle accident settlement offers and reject them and then demands much more.
Where Are Turlock’s Bicycle Lanes?
Riding your bike in Turlock is usually an enjoyable experience. In recent years, the city has taken steps to support its cycling community with bike lanes and paths designed to promote safe and efficient travel. These designated lanes not only make riding your bike easier, but also allows you and other riders to enjoy the city’s parks, neighborhoods, and downtown areas without the stress of heavy traffic.
To that end, the city implemented a full Active Transportation Program (ATP) back in 2015 that laid out where you can find these lanes and paths.
Joe Gallison Pathway, Canal Drive (Class I)
Hawkeye Avenue to Fulkerth Road (Class II)
Taylor Road Pathway (Class I)
Other Lanes and Paths:
- Christoffersen Parkway to Canal Drive (Class II)
- Tuolumne Road to Hawkeye Avenue (Class II)
- East Avenue to Berkeley Avenue (Class III)
- Crowell Road McKenna Drive (Class II)
- Colorado Avenue to Berkeley Avenue (Class II)
- Crowell Road to Colorado Avenue (Class III)
- Monte Vista Avenue to Tuolumne Road (Class III)
With these designated lanes, Turlock has become more bike-friendly. And this commitment is seemingly growing, with more plans in the works to increase the number of lanes and paths around the city. But if you want to better understand the options that are available to you, here’s a simple breakdown of how these lanes are categorized:
Class I – Shared Use Paths
These are off-road paths where both bicyclists and pedestrians can travel safely, away from cars. They’re often found near the city’s parks, rivers, or scenic areas.
Class II – Bike Lanes
These are fully marked lanes on city streets and roads that are designed exclusively for people on bikes.
Class III – Bike Routes
These are shared roads where cyclists and vehicles can travel together. They’re marked with signs and pavement markings, usually on quieter, residential streets.
Bike lanes and paths are just one part of the city’s ongoing efforts to make streets and roads safer for bicyclists. Another huge part involves the actual laws and regulations relating to bikes and people that ride them.
What Are Turlock’s Bicycle Laws and Regulations?
Like other California cities, Turlock follows state bicycle laws but also has its own local rules laid out in Chapter 4 of the city’s Municipal Code. These rules address the unique situations cyclists face in Turlock. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- 4-1-12 – Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers under state and city traffic laws.
- 4-1-13 – A bicycle lane is a part of the road specifically set aside for bicycles and marked as such (per Section 4-1-14). These lanes can also accommodate pedestrians, and cyclists using them must follow Section 4-1-19.
- 4-1-14 – The City Council decides which parts of the road are designated as bicycle lanes through resolutions.
- 4-1-15 – Cyclists must follow all traffic signals, signs, and controls unless directed otherwise by a police officer. This means they can’t:
- Make prohibited turns unless they dismount and follow pedestrian rules.
- Once in a bike lane, cyclists must stay in it until an intersection unless they dismount, walk, and follow pedestrian laws.
- 4-1-16 – Bicyclists must ride on a regular seat attached to the bike and must not carry more people than they are designed for.
- 4-1-17 – When riding on the road, bicyclists have to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible, except in two-way bike lanes.
- Bicyclists may ride two abreast but only in bike-specific lanes or areas.
- If a bike lane is available, they have to use it and not ride on the roadway.
- 4-1-18 – There’s no set speed limit for bicyclists, but they have to stay at a speed that’s safe and reasonable for the current conditions.
- 4-1-19 – Bicyclists must yield:
- to pedestrians when entering sidewalks.
- to other bikes when entering bike lanes.
- to vehicles or bikes when entering roadways.
- 4-1-20 – Bike riders can’t carry items that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
- 4-1-21 – Bikes must be parked against the curb, in a bike rack, or against a building without blocking pedestrian traffic. If a bike rack is within 400 feet, bikes must be parked there instead of on the street or sidewalk.
- 4-1-22 – Vehicles can only cross bike lanes to enter driveways, park, or exit parking spaces, but must yield to bicycles in the lane.
- 4-1-23 – No bikes are allowed on sidewalks in business districts, and no one 12 years or older can ride on sidewalks anywhere.
- Physically disabled individuals are exempt from these rules.
- Cyclists on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible signal when passing.
- 4-1-24 – When riding at night, bikes have to be equipped with a:
- White front light visible from 300 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 50 to 300 feet.
- Red rear light can be used in addition to the reflector.
- Brake capable of making the wheel skid on dry, flat pavement.
California State Bicycle Laws
Like any other city in California, Turlock bike riders also have to follow state laws. These are laid out in Article 4 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC):
- CVC 21200 – Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.
- CVC 21200.5 – It’s illegal to ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- CVC 21202 & 21204 – Your bike must have:
- Working brakes
- Handlebars below shoulder height
- A size that lets you stop and start safely
- A white front light, rear reflectors, and side reflectors for night rides
- CVC 21202 – Bike riders must ride on the right side of the road unless turning, passing, or avoiding hazards.
- CVC 21203 – When riding a bike, you can’t hold onto moving vehicles.
- CVC 21204 – Bikes must have a proper seat for each rider, including child seats if necessary.
- CVC 21208 – When riding in a bike lane, bicyclists must stay in the lane unless they need to turn, pass, or avoid hazards.
- CVC 21212 – Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
- CVC 23330 – Bikes aren’t allowed on toll bridges unless signs permit it.
- CVC 27400 – Bicyclists can’t wear headphones in both ears while riding.
These laws form the basis of your legal rights if you’re in a bicycle accident, and give you a framework of what to expect while riding your bike in Turlock. Still, following the law can’t help you avoid certain accidents. That’s why these laws are in place, but it’s other initiatives like the ATP that go further in keeping bike riders safe.
More Information About Bicycle Laws
2024 Bicycle Intersection Crossing Law
California Electric Bicycle Laws
Do California Cyclists Have to Stop at Stop Signs?
Do Motorists Have the Right Of Way Over California Cyclists?
Rear Red Reflector Law for California Cyclists
2024 Bike Crossing Intersection Law
Bicycle Tips for New Cyclists in California
Who Is To Blame When a Child on a Bike is Hit?
How Does Turlock’s Active Transportation Program Help Bike Riders?
Again, the Active Transportation Program that the city government implemented in 2017 is a huge part of the overall commitment to making biking (and walking) more friendly and safe. According to internal data, bicycling and pedestrian trips accounted for 38.9% of all trips taken in Turlock between 2009 and 2013.
And given that Turlock has a number of different factors that make bicycling attractive, it’s programs like ATP and others that help riders. Specifically, it helps them by:
- Improving the existing infrastructure – Turlock’s ATP makes biking safer by adding bike lanes, trails, and repair stations while improving lighting and signage. These upgrades create convenient and safer routes for people riding bikes across the city.
- Linking communities – The program connects neighborhoods to schools, parks, and businesses through safe bike routes. It also links Turlock to nearby cities and public transit, making cycling easier for commuting and recreation.
- Environmental impact – In environmental terms, the ATP aims to reduce car traffic and pollution by encouraging more people to bike. It also supports clean transportation, preserves green spaces, and promotes a healthier environment for the community.
While it’s true that the ATP and other programs are clearly beneficial for riding your bike, it’s also important to remember that accidents can still happen. Even when you follow the rules of the road and ride responsibly, you can’t always predict the actions of drivers or other riders. That can lead to accidents, and if you’re in one, you need to know what to do.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
See to your immediate safety and health first. Then take the steps necessary to prove the accident wasn’t your fault
- Wait for the police. Make sure they take your report.
- Don’t discuss the details of what happened with others involved in the accident. Never discuss the case with anyone representing the other party in the accident. That includes insurance agents and lawyers. If you have already spoken to them, stop what you are doing, and give us a call. We can still help you.
- Gather Information. Get contact information from witnesses. Take photos of the scene.
- Get a medical evaluation. Always visit a doctor even if you feel little pain. Injuries from a bicycle accident don’t always appear right away.
- Save any evidence. Don’t throw away or wash the clothes you were wearing and save every part of your damaged bicycle.
Compensation for Turlock Bicycle Accident Victims
Your lawyer fully investigates your accident and looks into the past driving record of the driver at fault. Then all evidence is collected and submitted in an accident claim that demands support for every hardship you face as you rebuild your health.
A list of damages must include all economic damages, such as the bills for surgery and hospital stays. It will also include the non-economic damages you and your family have endured, such as the damage a frightening accident can do to your mental wellbeing.
Another non-economic damage is the emotional trauma you’ve suffered. This can take the form of fear of returning to the road to ride. It might also include the loss of enjoyment of life you suffer while unable to ride.
These are just a few of the economic and non-economic damages your settlement check must cover:
- Past and future medical invoices.
- Long-term costs associated with permanent disfigurement and permanent disability.
- Support for the physical pain and emotional trauma you’ve suffered during your bike accident and a difficult recovery. Coping with being off your bike for weeks, months, or longer.
- Travel costs to see specialists and out-of-town doctors.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Repairs to Bicycle or Replacement.
- Wrongful death bicycle accident claims. Families who lose a loved one to a careless driver’s mistake must seek assistance with paying leftover medical bills and funeral expenses. They should also seek help for the future when the family will be without the guidance and financial support the victim had always provided.
Support for Child Bicycle Accident Victims
Children are especially vulnerable to bicycle accidents. Their young minds can’t be expected to always make the best decisions while riding on neighborhood streets. That’s why local drivers are under a legal obligation to show extra care in monitoring for cyclists and always slowing down to avoid collisions.
Children are closer to the wheels of a car and can easily fall under a vehicle to suffer severe injuries. Their bodies are also still developing. This means that an injury that seems to heal now may affect how they mature in their teen years. Future surgeries and physical therapy could be necessary. That’s why additional support is usually needed to make sure young bicycle accident victims have the support necessary to deal with future consequences.
Maison Law is ready to compassionately represent parents and their injured children after a devastating bicycle accident. We want to make sure young victims have the support they need now and in future years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get compensation if I got hit riding my bike in the street?
In California, it’s legal to ride in the street along with the motor vehicles so long as you obey all traffic codes and rights-of-way. So if you’re injured, you can get compensation if you can prove the other driver was negligent. If both of you were negligent, then if the other driver was more negligent, you can still get some compensation.
How do I get compensation if the driver hit me and fled?
Unfortunately, if the driver went unidentified, you can’t make a claim against his or her insurance company. However, if you signed up for uninsured motorist coverage, you’re likely covered if you’re injured in a hit-and-run case.
How long do I have to file a bike accident lawsuit in California?
In California, a victim of an auto accident has two years to file a claim. Once two years from the date of injury have passed you may lose your right to compensation. That deadline may be even shorter in lawsuits against any government agency. Special requirements might apply with a much shorter time limit for filing.
Contact a Turlock Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle accident involving a serious injury, speak to an experienced Turlock Personal Injury Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and receive personalized attention. Contact Maison Law today to learn more about your legal options.
And if you feel we can help you earn more for your case, you won’t need to stress over finding the money to hire us. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you and your family receive.
