Hurt in a Bicycle Crash? Talk to Colvin Accident Lawyers Today.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Helping Visalia Cyclists and Families

A bicycle accident attorney investigates the crash, identifies who may be responsible, and handles communication with insurers. Colvin Accident Lawyers provides this help to cyclists and families in Visalia and across Tulare County.

If you’re looking for a bicycle accident lawyer Visalia families can reach, this page explains what that work involves. Our practice is based in Bakersfield, California. We represent people hurt in bicycle, car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite and premises liability crashes. We also handle catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

This page is for:

• Cyclists hit by a car, truck or bus on a Visalia street
• Riders struck after a parked-car door opened into their path
• Families who lost a loved one in a bicycle crash

Bicycle crashes often leave riders with medical bills, lost work time and a damaged bike. Families may also face burial costs and the loss of a loved one. A lawyer can help sort these losses and the deadlines that come with them.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Visalia

Common bicycle crash patterns include a driver who fails to yield, a door opened into a rider’s path, and a distracted driver.

• Failure to yield. A driver turns, pulls out of a driveway or enters an intersection without seeing the rider.
• Dooring. A parked-car occupant opens a door into the rider’s path, leaving little time to react.
• Distracted driving. California law generally bars drivers from holding and operating a handheld phone, unless it is set up for hands-free use. Vehicle Code § 23123.5
• Speed and following too closely. Drivers must keep a speed that is reasonable for conditions, Vehicle Code § 22350. They may not follow more closely than is reasonable, Vehicle Code § 21703.
• Road hazards. Potholes, debris and broken pavement can throw a rider off balance. These claims may involve a public agency and shorter deadlines.

After a crash, write down the exact location, the time of day, the lighting and the road surface. Photograph the bike, the scene and any nearby signal or sign. Those details often matter when fault is reviewed later.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Bicycle Crash

A driver or another party can be responsible when their lack of ordinary care causes a crash and injury. California law makes everyone responsible for injuries caused by want of ordinary care or skill, Civil Code § 1714.

Can a cyclist be responsible? A cyclist can also be responsible for injuries caused by want of ordinary care. Whether a claim exists depends on the facts of the crash.

Several liability. Under Civil Code § 1431.2, each defendant pays its share of non-economic damages. Those include pain, suffering and emotional distress, in proportion to its share of fault. Economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost earnings and repair or replacement costs, are defined in the same section.

Damages in a bicycle claim often include past and future medical care, lost income, the bike’s repair or replacement, and pain and suffering.

What Our Bicycle Accident Practice Handles

Our practice handles bicycle injury claims against drivers and their insurers. We also handle wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases tied to a bicycle crash.

• Claims against at-fault drivers and their insurers, including injury and property damage claims
• Dooring and premises-related claims, where a property owner’s hazard contributed to the crash
• Crashes involving a bus or truck, when a commercial vehicle is part of the collision
• Catastrophic injury claims, such as serious brain or spinal injuries that may need long-term care
• Wrongful death claims for families. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 lists who may bring one, including a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and certain dependents.
• Road hazard claims against a public agency. A claim for injury to a person must be presented not later than six months after the cause of action accrues, under Government Code § 911.2.

A road hazard claim runs on a shorter clock than a claim against a driver. Start that review early.

How a Bicycle Accident Case Works With Our Firm

A typical case moves through a first consultation, evidence gathering, insurer negotiation and, if needed, a lawsuit. Each step builds on the one before it.

1. First consultation. Your first consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation to continue. We review the crash, your injuries and any papers you have. You can ask questions before you decide anything.
2. Evidence. Gather medical records, the police report number, witness names and photos. Keep the bicycle unrepaired when possible.
3. Investigation. We look at traffic conditions, roadway records and any video that exists.
4. Insurance negotiation. We present your losses to the insurer with medical records and documented costs. Ask us before you give any recorded statement.
5. Lawsuit if needed. The California Courts Self-Help Guide says personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the injury, subject to exceptions and tolling.

Timelines vary by case. We walk through the expected steps during your consultation.

Why Choose Colvin Accident Lawyers for a Visalia Bicycle Crash

Colvin Accident Lawyers is a Bakersfield-based personal injury practice. Attorney Donald Norman Colvin is the lawyer for the practice, and our team supports intake, records and scheduling.

• Clear explanations. We explain shared fault, deadlines and government claim timing early, so you know what applies to your crash.
• Broad practice. We handle car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite and premises liability cases. We also handle catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters.
• Areas we serve. We take cases for riders in Visalia and Tulare County, and in Kern County, Fresno, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano and Tehachapi.
• Plain expectations. Every case is different, and no attorney can say in advance how one will end.

Our approach is to explain each rule in plain words, so you can follow what happens next.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Visalia

Below are short answers to common questions about bicycle injury claims in California.

Talk to a Visalia Bicycle Accident Lawyer Now

If a car, truck or bus hit you on a Visalia road, you may have a claim, and you don’t have to deal with the insurer alone. Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers today through our contact form, and tell us about the crash, your injuries and any calls from an adjuster.

Donald Norman Colvin, Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California — responsible for this site.