Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Orange

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Orange, California?

  The non-emergency phone number of the Orange Police Department is (714) 744-7444.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Orange, California?

  Copies of incident reports can be obtained from https://www.cityoforange.org/our-city/departments/police/records-bureau. You can also go to the Records Bureau counter of the police station in Orange, which is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.

• What should you do as a bicyclist to protect yourself from accidents in Orange?

  You can take safety measures in compliance with California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21201, such as installing reflectors and a white headlamp on your bicycle. You can put white, yellow, or red reflectors as necessary on your bike's rear, front, side, pedal, ankle, and shoe. You can also make yourself more visible on Orange roads by wearing neon-colored or reflective cycling attire.

• Do you need to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Orange?

  If you are under 18 years old, you need to wear a helmet pursuant to CVC Section 21212. Technically, adult bicyclists in Orange are not required to wear one, and some prefer not to for reasons ranging from comfort to aesthetics. But not wearing a helmet will increase your risk of sustaining severe injuries. It may also be taken into account when establishing fault in the event of a crash.

• Do you still have to attend doctor’s appointments while recovering from bicycle accident-related injuries in Orange?

  Absolutely. Regularly seeing your doctor after a bicycle crash in Orange will aid your physical recovery and your legal claim. If you choose to skip medical appointments, it may seem like your injuries were not severe enough to warrant long-term treatment, regardless of the truth. This could end up harming your case.

• How soon should you file a claim against the government for your bicycle crash injuries in Orange?

  You have 180 days from the date of the crash to file your claim against a government authority in Orange, according to California Government Code § 911.2. You can only make such a claim if the bicycle accident happened on a roadway that had been poorly designed or inadequately maintained.

• If you hit another vehicle while riding a bicycle in Orange and it was primarily your fault, can you still get compensation?

  No, you cannot obtain damages from a bicycle crash in Orange for which you were primarily responsible. California’s comparative negligence rules restrict compensation awards to parties determined to be 50% liable or less. If you were following bicycle laws at the time of the crash, such as riding on the bike lane and with the traffic, you might have a chance of reducing your fault percentage.