From the Bay Trail near Newark to the bike routes along Fremont Boulevard and the paths around Lake Elizabeth, cyclists in southern Alameda County share the road with drivers who do not always expect them. A rider hit by a car or a swung-open door can suffer injuries far out of proportion to a low-speed impact.
Mirador Law serves Fremont from our Newark office. Under California law a bicycle is a vehicle and a lawful rider has the right of way, so a driver who turns across a bike lane, passes too close, or doors a rider can be held responsible. The general deadline to file is two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and a dangerous road or trail condition maintained by a public agency can trigger the six-month claim deadline under Government Code section 911.2. Under pure comparative negligence, partial fault reduces but does not bar recovery.
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how these cases can unfold. They are not based on any specific client and are provided for educational purposes only. A commuter riding a marked route along Fremont Boulevard is struck by a driver turning across the lane. Witness accounts and the position of the damage show the rider was visible and lawful.
See also: East Bay Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Fremont and Newark Personal Injury Lawyer