Chico Bicycle Accident Attorney
Fighting for Injured Cyclists in Chico and Butte County
Chico is a bike-friendly community, but that does not mean that it is entirely safe for cyclists. Just as anywhere else, bike riders are always at risk of being injured or even killed in collisions with automobiles. The odds are simply stacked against the cyclist in any crash with a car, truck, bus or even a motorcycle; even the most safety-conscious cyclist has essentially no protection against the impact of a collision.
Wearing a helmet can make the difference between life and death in some cases, but it will not protect the rider against a severe impact, and the rest of the body is left exposed to the full force and violence of the collision.
How California's Three-Foot Law Applies to Bike Accidents
Organizations such as the Butte Bicycle Coalition promote initiatives to make the roads in and around Chico safer for cyclists. Riders can also avoid accidents with automobiles by choosing to ride on the bike paths, trails and designated lanes throughout the city. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to stay off the roads, and when a cyclist does have to share the streets he or she is to a large degree at the mercy of the drivers passing by and crossing at intersections. Recently, the California state legislature passed a law, AB1371, which can be found as California Vehicle Code Section 21760(b), a law which greatly increases the legal burden on drivers to avoid causing crashes with bicyclists.
Under the terms of this law, a driver must now leave at least three feet of room between his or her vehicle and a cyclist when passing. If this is not possible, it is necessary to slow the vehicle down to a reasonable and prudent speed. This law should help to reduce the number of bike accidents in Chico, but it serves another important purpose as well.
If a driver does injure a cyclist in an accident while passing, and it can be demonstrated that the driver committed a violation of CVC §21760(b), this can be used as evidence to establish that the driver was negligent in causing the accident.
Need a bike accident lawyer in Chico?
If you have been injured in a bike accident in Chico or anywhere else in Butte County and the driver was at fault, contact us now at the Law Office of Adam Sorrells. Our personal injury attorney has more than 25 years of experience, and has a proven track record of success in recovering major settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Contact our office online or call (530) 893-9900 now for a free case evaluation to tell your story, discuss what has happened to you and find out how much your claim may be worth in financial compensation.