Auburn Boulevard Crash Between Motorist and Bicycle Rider Causes Injuries
A bicycle accident with a motor vehicle caused the rider major injuries on January 12 in North Highlands. The collision was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at the intersection of Auburn Boulevard and Madison Avenue shortly before 9:00 p.m. The vehicle involved was a Chrysler 300, and the driver remained at the scene.
Major Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accident
Paramedics with the Sacramento Fire Department assessed the bicycle rider’s injuries, and the patient was transported to a hospital nearby for further treatment. The North Highlands bicycle accident is being investigated by the CHP to determine how it occurred.
Dangerous Situations That Lead to a Bicycle Accident
There are dangerous situations that most bicyclists encounter on a day to day basis. It is important to learn what they are and how to avoid them.
- Intersections: Dangers arise for bicyclists in busy intersections. For the most part, intersections are designed for motorists. That means that cyclists are left to cross large swaths of pavement with drivers crisscrossing the area without looking for bicyclists. Drivers who make right turns, sometimes in front of a cyclist, can cause an accident. Similarly, when motorists make a left-hand turn, they must be aware of a cyclist crossing the street in front of them. To avoid this, drivers need to slow down in an intersection to avoid potentially dangerous situations. In addition, bicyclists need to stay alert for all potential dangers in an intersection.
- Dooring: Cars parked at the curb are dangerous for bicyclists when an occupant suddenly swings the door open. This is called dooring. It is almost impossible for a bicyclist to predict that this will happen. One measure that sometimes works is for the bicyclist to be aware of vehicle occupants in a car, who might potentially get out suddenly. In this case, the cyclist can slow down or, if possible, move to the left. The problem here is that moving to the left can instigate another crash.
- Motorists who impinge on the bike lane: In California, there is a law that maintains that drivers must be at least three feet from the bicyclist. It is called the three-foot passing law. When motorists fail to uphold this rule and move into the bicycle lane, cyclists are unable to get out of the way. To avoid this, cyclists can be aware of the traffic behind them by looking for motorists who are driving erratically or moving into the bicycle lane. Corners are a particular danger since many drivers cut short into the bicycle lane to make a right-hand turn.
- Lack of conspicuity: It is important that bicyclists are able to be seen by motorists. Some measures that help with this are wearing bright clothes during the day, installing a flag on the bicycle, and using reflective clothing and lights at night. Another measure is riding with traffic. When a bicyclist rides against traffic, the likelihood they will be seen is diminished.
Investigating a Bicycle Accident
Our firm understands that evidence is crucial in a personal injury case. Our injury attorneys use this evidence as the building blocks of a claim against a motorist or the city. As soon as possible after the accident, we dispatch our investigative team to the collision site.
Once there, they interview witnesses and obtain video footage from surveillance cameras on traffic lights and businesses. We also use accident reconstruction techniques to recreate the collision and the path of the vehicle and bicycle. All of this helps us determine liability, a key factor in a successful bicycle accident injury case.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Over the past 37+ years, I’ve been here to help fellow members of the community in all types of car accidents, wrongful death claims, and bicycle collisions. To obtain my free and friendly advice, just call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. If it’s easier for you, reach out to me online.
I’m proud to be a member of the following organizations, along with many others:
Learn more about my practice by using the following links:
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