Pleasanton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

From the Iron Horse Trail and Foothill Road to the quieter routes around downtown and Pleasanton Ridge, the Tri-Valley draws cyclists onto roads shared 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. California law gives cyclists the same right to the road as drivers, and the same right to compensation when a careless driver causes harm.

Mirador Law represents injured cyclists from our Pleasanton headquarters. Under California law a bicycle is a vehicle and a lawful rider has the right of way that goes with it, 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 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.

A look at how these cases unfold

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 near downtown Pleasanton is struck by a driver turning across the lane. The driver claims the rider appeared suddenly, but witness accounts and the position of the damage show the cyclist was visible and lawful.

See also: East Bay Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Pleasanton Personal Injury Lawyer