Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a pothole in Visalia. For something so simple, a pothole can cause pretty serious injuries when you’re on your bike. But a bigger problem is figuring out why the pothole was there—and who was responsible for fixing it, but didn’t. We can answer your questions and guide you through a claim. Set up a free consultation today.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
A pothole doesn’t look like much—until it throws your bike out from under you. And if that happens, one of the first questions most riders in Visalia ask is a simple one: do I really need a lawyer?
The honest answer is: it depends. If your injuries are minor and the situation is truly straightforward, you might be able to handle things on your own. But pothole bicycle accidents are rarely that simple. The biggest reason is responsibility. Roads in and around Visalia aren’t all maintained by the same entity, and it’s not always clear who’s in charge of the exact stretch of pavement where you went down.
That’s where having a lawyer can make a real difference. Our team at Maison Law helps you by:
- Explaining your options clearly, without legal jargon
- Figuring out who was actually responsible for maintaining the roadway
- Getting evidence before the pothole is repaired or disappears
- Handling talks with government agencies or insurance companies
For many people, it’s less about “taking action” and more about making sure the door stays open while they focus on getting better and back on their bike. But every situation is different. Your best option is going to depend on what happened—and what information you’re able to get.
What Documentation Should I Try to Get After My Accident?
A bicycle accident caused by a pothole in Visalia isn’t something you can plan for. One moment you’re riding along, the next your tire drops into a hole you didn’t see—or couldn’t avoid. Your first priority should be getting medical care and getting to safety, but you should also try to get a few pieces of documentation by:
- Taking photos or video of the pothole from multiple angles. Show depth and width, and include something for scale, like your bike tire, shoe, or water bottle.
- Getting wide shots of the roadway, showing where the pothole sits in relation to traffic, bike lanes, or the shoulder—and how visible it was at the time.
- Noting the exact location, not just the street name. Cross streets, nearby businesses, intersections, or familiar Visalia landmarks can matter later.
- Photographing damage to your bike and gear before anything is repaired or replaced. Even small bends or cracks can be important.
- Getting witness names or contact information, especially if someone saw you fall or noticed the pothole beforehand.
- Writing down what you remember—lighting, traffic, construction signs, or anything that stood out. Those details fade faster than most people expect, especially after an injury.
No two pothole accidents are exactly alike. What happens next—particularly when it comes to proving responsibility—often depends on the information you’re able to gather in the hours, days, and weeks after the accident.
Who’s Liable for a Bicycle Accident Caused by a Pothole in Visalia?
At first glance, legal responsibility—also called liability—in a pothole bicycle accident can feel unclear. There’s no other driver to point to, no obvious at-fault party. Instead, it usually comes down to one key question:
- Who controlled and maintained the road where the pothole was?
Once you look at it that way, things start to make more sense. Roads—just like sidewalks, buildings, and public spaces—have owners and managers in the form of the city, county, or even state government. It’s those agencies that are responsible for keeping things safe. If they don’t, they’re on the hook for your injuries. But it’s not the only possible source of liability:
- Maintenance contractors. Road work and repairs are often outsourced. If a private company performed faulty repairs, left behind a dangerous condition, or failed to address a known hazard, they can share liability.
- Private property owners. Not every pothole is on a public road. If your bicycle accident happened on a private road, parking lot, driveway, or commercial property, the property owner—or the company responsible for maintaining it—may be responsible if poor maintenance caused the accident.
Even with this, liability always depends on the details. With that said, understanding who may be involved helps clarify what kind of claim you’re dealing with—and how the process will play out.
What Does the Claims Process Look Like After a Pothole Bicycle Accident in Visalia?
The confusion that comes about with a bicycle accident caused by a pothole is mostly built around liability. It doesn’t change your ability to file a claim. The only difference is how the claims process works—and the best way to look at it is split between:
- A California Tort Claims Act (CTCA) claim when a government-controlled road is involved
- A standard injury claim when the accident happened on private property
When a city or state agency is involved, the process moves quickly. Under the CTCA, you generally have:
- Six months from the date of the accident to file a Notice of Claim explaining what happened and outlining your damages. If that deadline is missed, the claim may be permanently barred.
- After the claim is filed, the government has a limited window to respond. If the claim is accepted, payment typically follows. If it’s denied, you may then have the option to file a lawsuit.
When private property is involved, the process is more familiar. You’ll file either:
- An insurance claim outside of court
- A personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
In those cases, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file. More to the point, though, it’s about getting financial support based on your:
- Medical expenses and future care needs
- Lost income
- Repair or replacement of your bike and gear,
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
Obviously, every situation is different. Every claim plays out in a different way—and there’s no guarantee of success. At the same time, when you’re hurt, it’s about standing up for your rights and making sure that whoever was in charge of the stretch of road where the pothole was is held accountable.
Get Help From Maison Law After a Pothole Bicycle Accident in Visalia
When you’re out for a bike ride in Visalia, the last thing you want is an accident. And even if you accept that there’s always a chance it could happen, you probably don’t think about it happening because of a pothole or some other road issue.
At Maison Law, our Visalia bicycle accident lawyers understand the challenges you’re facing and can help you through the claims process. Set up a free consultation today and let us help you understand your options.
