Whether you’re on the coast or further inland, California has some of the most beautiful bike trails in the nation. As the sun sets, you and your loved ones may want to take your bikes out and see what the California wilderness has to offer. Unfortunately, bike riding in the dark in California can be dangerous.
You and your loved ones in California can take steps to protect yourself from harm while biking at night. The more effort you put into keeping yourself safe, the less likely it is that you will get into an accident. Furthermore, these protective steps can help you assign liability to another party should you happen to suffer losses due to someone else’s negligence. Working with a California bicycle accident attorney from Setareh Law can help with any questions during the legal process and get you the compensation you may be owed.
How to Protect Yourself While Biking at Night in California
If you’re concerned about biking in California after dark, there are steps you can take to make sure that you remain as safe as possible on the road. These include:
Wear Visible or Reflective Clothing
High-visibility clothing may not be the most stylish option in your closet. This clothing is, however, the most likely to protect you from an accident if you bike in the dark. High-visibility vests paired with helmet lights can catch the glint of a car’s headlights and make sure that drivers on both sides of the road see you.
You can further accessorize your bike with visibility stickers or lights that help indicate where you are on the road. Not only do these lights keep you safe, but they can express your personality and make it easier to identify your bicycle on bike racks or at a distance.
Obey Roadway Laws
If you’re concerned about biking safely after dark, make sure that you are aware of California’s roadway laws. California state has certain expectations for its bicyclists, including helmet laws, right-of-way laws, and statutes dictating on what side of the road you should ride. You need to abide by these expectations if you want to interact safely with cars and other vehicles.
Travel With a Group
You may also want to consider riding in a group if you choose to go biking at night. Riding in a group allows you to be more visible to cars on the road and also protects you from dangerous parties who might want to take advantage of an individual. When you work with a team, you can more effectively identify dangers in the dark and keep one another aware of your surroundings.
You Can Take Legal Action After a Nighttime Bike Accident in California
If you do get into an accident while biking in the dark, don’t worry. While you may be partially liable for your losses, California has a survivor-friendly understanding of comparative negligence. With the help of a California bicycle accident lawyer, you can still bring forward a complaint identifying another person’s negligence as the source of your bike accident losses.
Do note that you should submit your complaint within the California statute of limitations, or California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. To make the most of the two-year filing period allowed to you by the statute, you can contact a California bicycle accident attorney to discuss your right to compensation.
A California Bicycle Accident Lawyer from Setareh Law Can Help
California is one of the bike-friendliest states in the United States. That said, bicyclists still need to take particular steps to protect themselves from harm at night. The more effort you put into protecting yourself while on a bike ride, the easier it will be for other motorists and parties to protect you from harm.
If you get into a bike accident at night, contact one of our California bicycle accident lawyers at Setareh Law. Our team of Spanish-speaking lawyers can reference the steps you took to protect yourself as a reason another party might be held liable for your losses. Call us at (310) 659-1826 or use our online contact form to schedule your case consultation today.