The number of bikes on our city streets is growing—and that’s a wonderful thing. Ridership is climbing at 2% per year with nearly 62,000 people relying on bikes as primary transportation. Not only is cycling a healthier, fun and more affordable way to travel, it’s socially responsible as well.
Unfortunately, the number of people injured in bicycle accidents in San Francisco is outpacing ridership by nearly 6%. Every year the San Francisco Police Department records roughly 600 bicycle crashes. That number is likely a lot lower than the actual figure because SFPD officers typically only write reports when a victim is transported in an ambulance. I know a lot of accident victims opt to not take an ambulance to save money or because they do not want to exaggerate injuries. (SFPD officers rely on victim self-reporting in minor injury bike accident cases.) And how many cyclists involved in minor accidents don’t even call for help?
Crashing into a two-ton moving obstacle while on a bike can result in severe injuries. Even “minor” accidents can result in significant medical expenses when a cyclists is involved. If you’ve been injured, it’s important to contact a San Francisco bicycle accident attorney to find out your rights and responsibilities, but there are things you can do to avoid the crash in the first place.
The Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in San Francisco
Most bike riders share the streets and ride responsibly. According to SFPD accident codes, automobile drivers are at fault in 60% of all bicycle accidents in San Francisco. Learning how these accidents occur can make you a smarter cyclist.
The top three causes of crashes are:
- Speeding (by the motorist or the cyclist) is responsible for 14% of all accidents and the majority of fatalities. Ride safely and watch your speed!
- Illegal Turns (both right and left) cause 14% of the bicycle accidents in San Francisco. Be watchful and allow yourself plenty of distance at corners. (Do NOT pass on the right, or you can get hit by a driver turning right!)
- Bicycle Dooring Accidents. There are laws on the books (specifically, California Vehicle Code Section 22517) which make opening a car door without yielding to traffic a crime, but many injured riders can be argued to be “partially at fault” for traveling too close to parked cars. Give parked cars space. (This is a tough one, because you want to stay to the right of traffic moving faster than your pace, while also leaving room for parked cars to open doors. Argh.)
“Where” Is As Important as “How”
The majority of streets in the Bay Area are safe for cyclists. In fact, one study of crash data showed 70% of all bicycle accidents in San Francisco happen on just 14% of the streets. Avoiding them can make the difference between arriving safe and sound or ending up injured on the asphalt.
Data collected by the You Are Here Project shows the physical location of bicycle accidents in San Francisco “painting” these most dangerous streets. (Note also that these streets have the highest volume of bike traffic in San Francisco.)
- Market Street: 22 bicycle crashes
- Mission: 20 bicycle accidents
- Valencia Street: 11 bike injuries
- Harrison Street: 8 car/bicycle accidents
What to Do If You’re In a Crash: Advice from a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney
Even the most safety-conscious cyclists can’t avoid bicycle accidents in San Francisco when a driver is at fault. If you’re unlucky enough to be struck by a car, doored, or injured in any way:
- Call 911.
- File a police report.
- Take pictures of the accident scene (if you’re able).
- Collect all of the driver’s information yourself (name, address, insurance info, license plate number, etc.).
- If you’re hurt, accept treatment – even if it means taking an ambulance. Concussions and internal bleeding can take hours to manifest.
Navigating the legal system can be difficult alone and accepting the driver’s insurance company’s first offer is not often your best option. After you’re safe in hospital or back at home, contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in San Francisco who will look out for you and guide you safely through the system. You need to focus on getting back in the saddle. Let your personal injury attorney do the rest!
