A decade-long review of local crash data found 2,803 bicycle crashes in San Jose between 2011 and 2021, 38 of them fatal. If you were one of the 2,752 people injured in a crash like that, you’re dealing with real medical bills and real recovery time, not just a number.
James Hann represents injured cyclists at Hann Law Firm and can explain what a free case evaluation looks like for your specific situation.
Understanding Bicycle Accident Claims
Unlike drivers, bicyclists have little protection in a collision. Even at low speeds, a crash can lead to broken bones, head injuries, road rash, or long-term pain.
Two locations show up repeatedly in local crash reporting: the intersection of South Sixth Street and Reed Street, and the Senter Road and Tully Road corridor. Downtown San Jose and the area around San Jose State University saw 97 crashes on their own in that same decade, with 92 injuries and one death.
Many bicycle accidents involve negligence, which means a driver failed to use reasonable care. This could involve a distracted or speeding driver, or a motorist who fails to follow traffic laws intended to protect cyclists.
Proving negligence requires clear evidence and documentation, along with a strong understanding of how California law applies to bicycle accidents. An injury attorney at a San Jose law firm, like Hann Law Firm, reviews all available details. Police reports, medical records, witness statements, and even traffic camera footage may all play a role in building a case that clearly shows responsibility.
The Traffic Laws That Decide Fault
Insurers sometimes argue that a cyclist wasn’t visible enough, or wasn’t riding far enough to the right, to shift blame away from the driver. California’s traffic code works against that argument in a few specific ways.
Under the Three Feet for Safety Act (California Vehicle Code 21760), a driver passing a cyclist going the same direction must leave at least three feet of space, or slow down until it’s safe to pass. A driver who cuts it closer than that, not the cyclist, is the one presumed to have broken the law.
California Vehicle Code 22517 also puts the duty on drivers and passengers, not cyclists, when it comes to opening a car door into traffic. Dooring a cyclist is a violation regardless of whether the vehicle was legally parked at the time.
It helps to consult a lawyer soon after a bicycle accident. Early guidance can protect a claim and help you avoid mistakes, like giving a recorded statement to an insurer before you understand what it commits you to.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
Compensation in bicycle accident cases is meant to cover the financial impact of the injuries. While every case is different, compensation may include payment for medical expenses, follow-up care, physical therapy, and lost income. In some situations, it addresses the emotional strain and changes to daily life caused by the injuries.
Insurance companies often offer payouts or settlements that don’t fully reflect the impact of the accident. Working with a bicycle accident lawyer in San Jose can help level the playing field.
How Hann Law Firm Helps Injured Cyclists
Hann Law Firm brings a steady, client-focused approach to bicycle accident cases, recognizing that you most likely have never handled a serious personal injury claim before. Clear communication and realistic guidance are key parts of the process.
When you hire James Hann as your bicycle accident lawyer, here’s what happens:
- A free, no-pressure consultation: He takes the time to understand your situation and answer your questions, with no obligation to move forward.
- Thorough investigation: He examines the evidence to identify who’s responsible.
- Dedicated negotiation: Many personal injury cases resolve without a trial, and he pushes hard for fair compensation from insurance providers.
- Trial representation: He’s prepared to take your case to court when necessary.
More complex cases, like those a truck accident attorney in San Jose would take on, also fall within Hann Law Firm’s practice when a bicycle crash involves a commercial vehicle.
Local Knowledge Matters in San Jose
San Jose’s bicyclist crash-victim rank sits at 8 out of 15 among California’s largest cities, according to state Office of Traffic Safety data, putting it in the middle of the pack rather than the safest or most dangerous. That still adds up to real crashes on real streets, and the details of how any one of them happened matter as much as the injury itself.
James Hann spent five years working as a dispatcher for the police department at UC San Diego before he became a lawyer, and that background shapes how closely he reads a responding officer’s account of what happened.
Contact Hann Law Firm Today
If a bicycle accident has disrupted your life, you don’t have to face the process alone. Hann Law Firm is available to discuss your situation and explain potential options in clear, straightforward terms. To request a free, no-obligation consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer in San Jose, call (408) 755-9793. James Hann is ready to answer your questions and help you decide whether a personal injury lawsuit is the right path forward.
Areas of Law Practice in San Jose, CA at Hann Law Firm
Hann Law Firm represents clients across many other areas of law beyond bicycle accidents. The Law Firm in San Jose, CA page lists the full range of practice areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cyclists in San Jose tend to ask the same handful of questions after a crash. Here is what the law says.