San Diego Bicycle Accident Lawyers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008 saw a total of 716 pedalcyclists (those individuals riding a pedal-powered vehicle) die in traffic accidents. Bicyclists made up a large majority of those killed, as they face the daunting task of having to contend with reckless, inattentive motorists on a daily basis. While bicyclists must abide by the same traffic laws that motorists do, motorists tend to disregard bicyclists as fellow travelers, often failing to yield to bicycles for the simple fact that the motorists either did not see the bicyclist, or the bicyclist simply did not warrant enough respect from the motorists due to the lack of threat that a bicycle poses to any, even smaller, automobile.
Bicyclists are afforded every right to be present on California roads and highways as any other commuter is. However, due to the diminutive size of bicycles in comparison to automobiles, many motorists do not even notice bicyclists in neighboring traffic lanes, or give them any sort of right away while setting themselves up to make right hand turns.
In the event that a bicyclist is injured in a traffic accident, the circumstances of the accident need to be carefully examined in order to determine the accident’s cause. Often times, accidents are the result of driver negligence, whether it is inattention to the road, blatant disregard for traffic laws, such as when motorists choose to travel at speed limits greater than those posted or do not adhere to traffic signage, or the exhibition of some other reckless behavior that increases the odds of accident and injury. While motorists are not always responsible for causing accidents, as bicyclists may also be guilty of reckless driving practice that causes accidents, the vast majority of accidents involving bicyclists and other pedalcyclists result from some form of negligence.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a bicycle accident in El Cajon or San Diego, it is important to consult with a skilled San Diego personal injury attorney who will examine the details of the accident to determine where negligence should be attributed. Contact Steven Elia today for a free case consultation, and he will civily prosecute the negligent party to hold them held accountable for their actions, and will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help cover the costs associated with your accident, such as medical bills and physical therapy fees.