Huntington Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Cycling on the 6-mile Huntington Beach Bike Path from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach is one of the most scenic bike paths in Southern California. Away from the busy road, bicyclists can pedal freely, knowing they are safe from vehicles. 

But not all bike rides are as peaceful. Many times, bicyclists must share the road with motor vehicles. Even when roads have separate bike lanes, there is always a chance that a vehicle may not see a bicyclist and hit them. A lack of visibility is one of the main concerns of bicycle safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022 and an estimated 46,195 bicycle injuries. 

Serious bicycle accidents can happen for several reasons, including: 

• Speeding or aggressive driving 
• Distracted driving or riding 
• Intoxicated driving
• Road hazards, such as potholes 
• Opening a car door into a cyclist (dooring)
• Running red lights and stop signs 
• Cycling at night 
• Riding against traffic

The amount of compensation a bicycle accident victim can recover will depend on the extent of the injuries, the impact of the injury on the victim’s life, the liability of both parties, and the available insurance coverage. 

Working with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be extremely helpful at this stage, as they can work to investigate your accident and calculate a fair settlement. Typically, bike accident victims may recover two types of compensatory damages. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages reflect the tangible financial losses suffered by the victim. These include:

• Past and future medical expenses: Costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical attention necessary due to the accident. 
• Lost income: Compensation for wages lost during the recovery period and any future earnings lost due to the inability to work or reduced earning capacity. 
• Property damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing the bicycle and any other personal property damaged in the accident. 

Non-economic Damages 

Non-economic damages are more subjective and pertain to the emotional and psychological impact of the accident. These include:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress endured from the accident. 
• Disability or disfigurement: Damages for any permanent disability or disfigurement caused by the accident can affect the victim’s quality of life and emotional well-being. 

While rarely awarded, punitive damages may be part of your personal injury claim if the defendant acted intentionally or grossly negligent. 

Determining liability in a Huntington Beach bike accident will be based on who was negligent or failed to act reasonably and with due care. This could be a motorist, a bicyclist, or a government agency responsible for maintaining roads. 

If a motorist was speeding, driving under the influence, or running a red light, they would most likely be found at fault and liable for the bicyclist’s medical expenses and lost income. However, there are instances where the bicyclist may be found partially responsible. Examples of bicyclist negligence include riding against traffic, ignoring stop signs, and making unsafe lane changes. 

California follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that fault for an accident can be distributed among all involved parties based on their contributions to the incident. For example, if a bicyclist is found to be 30% at fault for the accident and the driver is 70% at fault, the bicyclist can still recover 70% of the damages incurred. 

Beach Boulevard is one of the busiest north-south corridors in Orange County. The entire stretch lacks a bike lane, leaving cyclists no choice but to share the road with motorists. This can present many challenges, especially during rush hour times. 

Aside from Beach Boulevard, these are some of the most dangerous intersections in Huntington Beach, CA, where bike accidents occur: 

• Edinger Ave. and Beach Blvd. 
• Ellis and Newland St. 
• Brookhurst St. and Adams Ave. 
• Pacific Coast Hwy and Edinger Ave. 

The Pointz app is one of the most useful safety tools for bicyclists. It gives bicyclists alternative routes away from busy roads, pointing them towards low-traffic, low-stress routes. 

What is the statute of limitations for bicycle accidents in California?

California’s statute of limitations for bicycle accident cases is typically two years from the accident date. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose your right to secure financial compensation.

Are bike helmets required in California?

Helmets are required for bicyclists and bicycle passengers under 18 (VEH 21212). While not mandatory for riders over 18, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. Bicyclists are at risk of suffering serious head injury if they are hit by a moving vehicle. 

What are the most important bicycle laws I should know? 

While bicycles are treated the same as motor vehicles in California, a few laws pertain only to bicycles. These are some of the most important bicycle laws you should know: 

• Ride in the same direction as traffic. (VEH 21650) 
• Ride as close to the right side of the road as possible. (VEH 21202) 
• Bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight and a red rear reflector or light when riding at night. VEH 21201(d) #1-4 and VEH 21201(e)
• If you are traveling slower than traffic, use the bike lane. (VEH 21208) 
• Mopeds and high-speed e-bikes are not the same as regular bikes. (VEH 21207.5) 

Will my bicycle accident case go to trial? 

Most Huntington Beach bicycle accident cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements. Settlements are faster and much less expensive than going to trial, giving both parties more control over the outcome. If your case does make it to trial, a skilled bicycle accident lawyer can represent you before a judge and jury.