Truckee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Truckee is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation. As a result, there are many here who spend hours biking on our many roads, trails, and greenways, whether for work or leisure.

However, as every cyclist knows, the potential for an accident is ever present, especially when sharing the road with motorists. Because of the sheer mass of a motor vehicle in comparison to a bike, and the lack of protection that bikes offer, these accidents often result in some of the most devastating injuries and fatalities our community sees.

Fortunately, injured cyclists and their families can often pursue compensation when these accidents occur. If you or someone you love has been hit while cycling, a Truckee bicycle accident lawyer at Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers can guide you through your next steps.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Bicycle Accident in Truckee?

When a cyclist is hit by a negligent or aggressive motorist, it’s rare for them to walk away with only minor injuries. More often than not, victims of bicycle accidents can suffer from severe trauma, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage. They may also face long-term complications, ranging from chronic pain to paralysis, all of which come with expensive medical bills and, in some cases, the inability to work or care for themselves.

In short, if you’re dealing with serious injuries from an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s essential that you work with an attorney who can help you fight for compensation that covers not just your medical expenses but also the long-term effects of the accident on your life. While it’s understandable to hope that the at-fault driver’s insurance company will compensate you quickly and fairly, the reality is that insurers will often attempt to avoid a payout or offer a settlement that is far below your needs.

When you work with a Truckee bicycle accident lawyer, they can investigate the details of the accident and gather evidence, helping you not only prove that the driver was at fault but negotiate a settlement that fully compensates you for your damages.

How Can the Truckee Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers Help?

There are thousands of personal injury firms in California, so what makes Porter Simon unique? For one, we’ve represented hundreds of bicycle accident and other personal injury cases, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. But what truly makes us successful is our deep-rooted history in the Truckee and Lake Tahoe communities, where we’ve served for 50 years as legal professionals.

As long-time members of these communities, we have intimate knowledge of the local roads and trails where our clients ride. But more importantly, we have an expansive familiarity with local laws in Truckee that apply to bicycle accidents and have long-standing relationships with medical providers, law enforcement, and court personnel in our community. That means faster, more responsive support when your case needs it most.

Types of Compensation That We Can Help Recover

One of the primary benefits of working with our Truckee bicycle accident lawyers is that we can often recover a much higher settlement than is offered by the insurance company directly. Once our firm has a chance to investigate the details of your accident, we’ll begin building your case and calculating the extent of the damages you may be eligible for. Here are some of the types of compensation that may be awarded in your case:

• Medical expenses: First and foremost, our firm will advocate for the prompt payment of your current and future medical bills, including the cost of medication, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, our firm will advocate for wage replacement while you recover.
• Disability: In cases where your injuries permanently prevent you from working or require long-term care, you may be entitled to compensation to address this.
• Pain and suffering: These types of damages describe the long-term physical pain and emotional trauma often suffered by victims of bicycle accidents.
• Funeral or burial expenses: Sadly, many bicycle accidents result in fatalities. If your loved one was tragically killed in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation to address not only funeral and burial expenses but also the emotional trauma suffered due to your loss.
• Property damage: As in car accidents, victims of bicycle accidents have the right to pursue compensation for the cost of repair or replacement of their bicycle or other personal items.

Laws Every Truckee Bicyclist Should Know—And How They Can Affect Your Case

California is generally considered one of the best states for cyclists because there are many state laws designed to protect them from accidents. However, understanding these laws is not only beneficial for safety reasons but also for building a personal injury case against negligent or aggressive drivers. Here are just a few laws that often come in handy when negotiating a settlement in a bicycle accident case:

Vehicle Code § 21200: This law states that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, meaning motorists must treat cyclists as legitimate users of the road, including yielding when appropriate and allowing safe passing space. If a driver ignores your agency as a legally designated vehicle, we can argue that this law was negligently broken.

Vehicle Code § 21208: This law primarily deals with bike lane use, essentially defining when a cyclist is allowed to be in the traffic lane and when they must use a bicycle lane. The key here is that if no bike lane is provided, or if a cyclist is traveling at the same speed as other cars (given they are not preparing for a stop or turn), they have the right to be in the same lane as other vehicles. Insurance companies may argue that because you were traveling in the same lane as a car, you caused the accident. However, as lawyers, we know that the law says otherwise.

Vehicle Code § 21760: Regardless of whether you were in a bike lane or if you were in the traffic lane, this law says that drivers of motor vehicles must provide three feet of space between them and the cyclist when passing. When investigating your case, our lawyers will attempt to subpoena traffic cameras or interview witnesses to determine if the at-fault driver gave enough space when turning.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Truckee?

As a part of the local community, we understand that there are unique risks for cyclists in Truckee that may not apply to California or Nevada as a whole. Here are a few of the more common causes of bicycle accidents in our community:

Tourists: We live in an incredibly scenic part of the state that rightfully draws many visitors from out of town. Unfortunately, this is also one of the main factors why local cyclists face heightened risk. Tourists often struggle with navigation, which causes them to make frequent stops or unexpected turns. They also lack familiarity with the roads, bike lane placement, or traffic patterns, and if they’re not careful, they can easily cause a collision.

Mountainous terrain: Mountain roads are dangerous for many reasons; they create a lack of visibility, they create challenges for cyclists attempting to maintain speed, and they often lack a shoulder, which means that cyclists are forced to share the road with motor vehicles. Some of the highest-risk areas include Old Highway 40, or other roads headed east towards the Sierra Nevada.

Poorly maintained roads: In Spring or Summer, it’s incredibly common for cyclists to be out enjoying the weather. But in the early Spring months, locals know that potholes, cracked pavement, and leftover sand and gravel from Winter can pose risks for both motorists and cyclists, especially on roads like Glenshire Drive or Prosser Dam.

Inclement weather: It goes without saying that the Winter months themselves are also dangerous for cyclists in Truckee, and because of our high elevation, these risks can even be experienced as early as August. Ice, slush, poor visibility, and wet debris, such as pine needles, are common culprits in bicycle accidents when cold weather is present.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Truckee

Most cyclists are aware of the risks they face out on the road and prepare accordingly, but this doesn’t always prevent a negligent driver from hitting them. Knowing which steps to take when a bicycle accident occurs is essential to not only maintaining your own safety but also protecting your right to fair compensation. Here’s the general procedure that you’ll need to follow if you’ve been hit by a vehicle in Truckee:

1. Call 911 or the local police line: The first step in a bike accident is to get to safety and immediately dial 911 if you’ve been injured and seek immediate medical attention. This is important not only for your personal safety but also to initiate the claims process. If no injuries are present at the scene, dial the Truckee Police Department non-emergency number at 530-550-2320.
2. File a police report: Once you’ve received medical attention, the next step is to file an official police report detailing the accident. Like a medical evaluation, a police report is another essential piece of information in a bicycle accident lawsuit. Be as honest as you can when answering questions from the police, however, keep in mind that the insurance company and the at-fault driver and their legal team will also have access to the report. Do not apologize, admit fault, or say anything that might implicate you in your case.
3. Document the accident scene: If safe to do so, take pictures of your injuries, your bike, and the accident site. Additionally, exchange contact and insurance information with the driver and any witnesses. Finally, do not throw away any damaged property such as your bike or safety gear. This can be used as evidence in your case.