As the weather in the San Fernando Valley continues to get warmer, and the days get longer, more and more locals are taking to their bikes to get around. Bicycling can be a great form of exercise and, for the eco-friendly, an ideal form of transportation. So what happens when you, or you and your family, are on a leisurely bike ride and an out of control or negligent driver careens into you? Do you have legal rights? Can you recover financial compensation for your injuries?
Bicyclists accidents and injuries
Each year, cyclists are involved in auto accidents with cars and trucks and suffer from serious injuries. Recent statistics indicate that these bicycle accidents are most often the fault of the automobile driver. Whether it is a result of motorists simply not paying attention for bicyclists as carefully as they should or texting and driving or simply a disregard for a cyclist’s life, cycling accidents in the San Fernando Valley are increasingly common.
What can you do as a cyclist enjoying a nice day on the road to reduce your chances of being involved in an 
auto accident? Continue reading to learn about the most common reasons that these accidents happen and how to avoid them…
Common causes of bicycling accidents
Bicycle accidents occur for a number of reasons, and it seems that a few are more common than others. If you or a loved one was hit by a car by riding your bike, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in the San Fernando Valley to discuss your legal options. Common causes for bike accidents in the Valley include:
- Negligent or careless motorists – making sharp turns in front of cyclists, following too closely, driving cyclists off the road, sideswiping cyclists on the shoulder of the road
- Negligence on the part of the bicycle manufacturer or retailer (such as defective bicycle parts, bicycle accessories)
- Unsafe conditions on public property
- Unsafe conditions on private property
This list is not exhaustive and the truth of the matter is, even if you ride as defensively as possible, you still cannot control the actions of the drivers on the road. Do not let time go by if you or a loved one has been involved in a bike accident, reach out to knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at the San Fernando Valley law office of Barry P. Goldberg today.
