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Bicyclists in Stockton typically take the necessary precautions to stay safe on the road, from only using the city’s bike lanes to wearing a helmet and gear whenever they go on their bikes. However, there’s not much cyclists can do when cars, trucks, buses, and other large vehicles act out of negligence. One wrong move from a reckless motorist is all it takes for an innocent cyclist to fall victim to catastrophic injuries or even a wrongful death from a crash.
The medical bills, arduous legal processes, and discussions with insurance companies that follow can be overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t have to face the next steps alone. Thompson Law’s Stockton bicycle accident lawyers are ready to guide you through the legal process, from talking to insurance providers to advocating for your rights in front of a judge and jury in court. We’ll handle all the legal procedures so that you can concentrate on getting better. And we won’t stop until we secure the compensation you deserve.
Ready to move forward and pave the path to your financial recovery after a bike accident in Stockton? Let’s talk about your case when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team.
We won’t let those liable for your injuries get away scot-free. With years of experience under our belts, our team of experienced lawyers will take every measure to establish fault in the negligent parties. Here’s just some of the things we can do to help firmly establish liability against reckless motorists and build you the strongest legal strategy possible:
You shouldn’t have to carry the weight and burden of another driver’s reckless actions. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Stockton will fight relentlessly to prove your innocence and the other party’s negligence to hold them accountable for their actions and get you the financial compensation you’re owed.
Bicycle accidents can have more devastating results than other road accidents because cyclists have little to no protection from a vehicle that slams into them. Unlike those who are shielded by their cars, cyclists are fully exposed. That means they’re vulnerable to flying off their bikes, making them susceptible to debilitating injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage, permanent disabilities, and even death.
Bikes are also relatively smaller than other vehicles on the road. Some motorists, especially those in larger vehicles like trucks and buses, might not see them, making accidents more likely.
Cyclists might also have a harder time making a claim against another party’s insurance because bikes often show less physical evidence than cars. The damage to bicycles involved in accidents might not be as blatantly obvious as big dents, deep gouges, and shattered windshields in other vehicles. This makes it difficult for cyclists to prove fault and get fair compensation.
If you want to secure compensation for injuries and property damage after a bicycle accident, hiring experienced attorneys to defend your case is crucial. Learn what our team at Thompson Law can do for you when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW today.
Our lawyers can help you secure compensation for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages you’ve had to incur since the bike accident. These include:
Yes, having an experienced, knowledgeable attorney in your corner makes a world of difference in the compensation you receive for your claim. Here are just some of the ways our Stockton bicycle accident lawyers help raise your total settlement or insurance claim following a road accident:
Our team of bicycle accident attorneys doesn’t just work to win your case. We also do in-depth investigations to ensure you actually get the financial compensation you’re owed. That way, you receive an amount that accurately reflects the extent of your injuries and emotional trauma from the bicycle accident.
Curious about other cases we’ve worked on? Check out our results to see how we’ve helped previous personal injury clients walk away with maximum compensation.
A tragic bicycle accident can occur at any moment in Stockton. But in most cases, these accidents are preventable and are caused by negligent actions by parties who don’t exercise a high level of care while sharing the road with cyclists.
Understanding the most common causes of bike accidents in Stockton allows you to stay vigilant as you ride through the city’s streets. Here are some of the most common reasons bike crashes happen in the city:
In recent years, many of the bicycle accidents the Stockton community has seen were fatal, as cyclists rarely have the chance to defend themselves against bigger vehicles.
For example, one night in June 2024, a 63-year-old man died when he was struck by a car in a hit-and-run by Rosemarie Lane and North Pershing Avenue. Just a few months prior, a 14-year-old boy was killed in another hit-and-run while biking along East French Camp Road. The boy was tragically declared dead at the scene.
In May of the same year, another bicyclist was killed late one night along Interstate 5 when a Lexus was speeding behind them and ultimately struck them fatally. It was suspected that the driver of the Lexus was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
These stories show that while many cyclists are vulnerable on the road, not all negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Our Stockton bicycle accident lawyers are steadfast in making sure you don’t face the same fate. We’ll help identify all parties liable for your injuries and bring them to justice so that you get a shot at physical, mental, and financial recovery.
We firmly believe that cars, trucks, buses, and other larger vehicles should always exercise caution when sharing the road with bicyclists. Cyclists deserve to feel safe on the road, even if they’re smaller than most vehicles. If you get injured while riding your bike, our dedicated lawyers are ready to fight for your rights until you get the maximum compensation possible. When you work with us, you can rest assured that we won’t let you settle for any amount less than you deserve.
The City of Stockton has many local laws to keep the road safe for bicyclists and everyone who shares a road with them. Here are some of the local traffic laws and ordinances related to bicycles that encourage safer cycling in the city.
According to California Vehicle Code § 21212, anyone riding a bicycle under the age of 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet. The helmet must be fastened and meet the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This law protects minors who ride bicycles from serious head injuries, such as brain trauma and severe concussions.
In line with Stockton’s Bicycle Master Plan, the city recognizes bike lanes in many streets. These lanes are dedicated for cyclists to ensure their safety as they share the road with bigger vehicles.
According to the Stockton Code of Ordinances § 10.12.190, once you’re in the bike lane, you need to stay in it until you reach an intersection. That ensures that cyclists won’t change lanes unnecessarily, which can put them in danger if other cars are driving too fast. As a cyclist, you’re only allowed to leave the bike lane before an intersection if you’re making a U-turn on the other side of the road or turning into a driveway.
The Stockton Code of Ordinances § 10.12.180 mandates that when nearing an intersection, cyclists must yield to vehicles. However, cars at a stop sign or making a left turn must yield to bikes before turning. This ordinance ensures that both cyclists and drivers of other vehicles have equal opportunities to cross roads safely, specifically at intersections, which are hotspots for road accidents.
Bicycle accident cases in Stockton follow California’s comparative negligence rule. This rule states that if you’re partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the estimated percentage of your fault.
Let’s say you were injured in a bike accident and were awarded $50,000 in damages by the court. However, you were found to be 20% at fault for the crash. That means you take home 20% less of $50,000, amounting to $40,000.
This law ensures that if you had some responsibility for the accident, you’re also held accountable. It also protects the other party if they weren’t totally at fault for the crash.
If you find yourself hurt in a bicycle accident, the most important thing to do is get medical attention right away. Cyclists often sustain serious injuries that need immediate treatment, so don’t delay getting help. Here are some of Stockton’s local hospitals where you can get treatment for your injuries:
In Stockton, the statute of limitations for a claim after a personal injury is two years after a road accident. That means you have two years after the bike accident to file a lawsuit or make a claim against the negligent party’s insurance.
However, if the injured party is less than 18 years of age, the two-year period only starts when they turn 18. That means minors who get injured from a bicycle accident can make a claim until they’re 20 years old.
The statute of limitations varies slightly if you’re making a claim against a government entity, like the City of Stockton, should factors like poor road conditions or a lack of traffic lights be the cause of your injuries. In these situations, you only have six months to make a claim or take legal action.
Yes, it does. If you miss the deadline to file a claim for an injury after a bike accident, you could lose your right to sue the negligent parties and seek compensation. That means you would have to cover medical bills, lost wages, and the mental anguish you faced after the accident out of pocket.
Don’t risk losing your right to obtain the compensation you’re owed after getting hurt in a bicycle accident. Work with our Stockton bicycle accident lawyers to ensure you meet every deadline in the legal process. We’ll stay on top of all the paperwork and protect your rights while you recover.
When others fail to respect your rights as a cyclist, it’s you who ends up paying the price. Not only do you have to heal from physical pain and injuries, but you could also be put under financial stress due to medical expenses and missed days at work following the accident. When that happens, going back to your normal life can be a huge challenge.
But our team of compassionate Stockton bicycle accident lawyers is here to make the legal process a lot easier for you. We’ll gather evidence, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and come up with a strong legal strategy to defend your claim. With our experience and expertise about bicycle laws in Stockton, you’ll be well on your way to getting the compensation you deserve.
Let’s talk about your bike accident claim and start your road to recovery and peace of mind. Book a FREE CONSULTATION with us today!
Yes, it’s entirely possible for a cyclist to be at fault for a road accident. This happens when a bicyclist ignores traffic lights or signs, fails to yield to cars in an intersection, or doesn’t use the designated bike lanes at the right time. However, if a cyclist is only partially at fault for the crash, they can still seek damages. In this case, their total compensation will be reduced by the percentage of their fault.
Our lawyers don’t ask for fees upfront. Instead, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win your case or get a settlement out of court for you. A contingency fee means getting a small percentage of the final amount you receive. In short, payment only comes after the case is wrapped up. Until then, you won’t have to worry about paying hefty hourly fees or fixed rates for our services.
If you weren’t wearing a helmet during the bike accident, you can still file a claim for personal injury. Only minors are required by law to wear helmets in Stockton. Adults aren’t legally obliged to do so, so it shouldn’t keep you from seeking compensation for your injuries. That said, some insurance companies might use the fact that you didn’t wear a helmet against you and say that it contributed to your injuries, which could lower the total compensation you receive.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
