Bicycle Accidents We Handle
Santa Fe is renowned as a premier cycling destination, earning recognition as #7 in the Top 10 Mountain Bike Destinations in North America by Singletracks Mountain Bike News and receiving Silver-Level Ride Center designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Our city offers:
- Hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- Santa Fe Rail Trail: 15-mile multi-use trail from downtown to Lamy
- Dale Ball Trails: 25+ miles of high-elevation mountain trails
- La Tierra Trails: 25+ miles northwest of the city
- Santa Fe Century: Annual cycling event since 1985
- Urban bike paths and downtown cycling infrastructure
However, Santa Fe’s growing cycling popularity has unfortunately led to increased bicycle-vehicle conflicts and serious accidents throughout our community.
Bicycle Accidents We Handle
At The Law Giant, our bicycle injury lawyers handle all manner of bike crashes in Santa Fe, including:
- Vehicle-Bicycle Collisions
- Left-Turn Accidents
- Right-Turn Accidents
- Blind Spot Accidents
- Improper Lane Changes
- Failure to Yield Accidents
- Speed-Related Collisions
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Doored Cyclists
- Rear-End Collisions
- Trail and bike path accidents
- Tourist-related cycling incidents
- Mountain biking accidents on public trails
Santa Fe-Specific Cycling Dangers
Santa Fe’s unique characteristics create specific risks for cyclists:
High-Risk Roads and Areas
- St. Francis Drive: Major arterial with heavy traffic and limited bike infrastructure
- Cerrillos Road: Commercial corridor with frequent turning vehicles and pedestrian conflicts
- St. Michael’s Drive: Busy road connecting to medical facilities and shopping areas
- West Alameda Street: Site of high-profile cycling accidents, including professional cyclist incidents
- Downtown Plaza area: Tourist congestion and narrow historic streets
- US 84/285 corridor: High-speed traffic mixing with recreational cyclists
Tourist and Visitor Factors
- Unfamiliar drivers: 1.6 million annual visitors not accustomed to Santa Fe’s cycling culture
- Rental bike accidents: Inexperienced cyclists on unfamiliar equipment
- Trail access conflicts: Tourist vehicles parking illegally near popular trail heads
- Event-related incidents: Increased traffic during festivals and cultural events
Geographic and Environmental Challenges
- High elevation (7,000+ feet): Reduced visibility due to sun glare and altitude
- Mountain terrain: Steep grades and winding roads
- Weather conditions: Sudden storms, snow, and seasonal visibility issues
- Adobe architecture: Historic buildings creating visual obstructions
Over the years, we have learned the types of accidents that put cyclists in danger. Many vehicle drivers do not look out for bikes. They end up making left turns directly into cyclists or causing cyclists to collide with the vehicle. Many drivers pass a bike only to make a right turn right in front of them and cause a collision. We have seen vehicles merge into cyclists and push them off the road. We have seen drivers open their doors directly into the cyclists’ path.
We are well aware that many drivers simply ignore the fact that they must share the road with bikes. Unfortunately, this leads to bikers being hit by cars, getting hurt, or even killed. Our lawyers for bicycle accidents are here to represent you after any crash that caused you harm.
What Causes Bike Accidents in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe County is overrepresented in its rate of crashes involving bicyclists and ranks third in New Mexico for bicycle and pedestrian crashes. Some of the most common causes of bicycle crashes we have seen are:
- Sun glare and visibility issues: High altitude and mountain orientation create dangerous lighting conditions
- Speeding
- Distracted drivers
- Fatigued drivers
- Failing to check blind spots
- Failing to keep a proper lookout
- Failing to follow the rules of the road
- Intoxication due to drugs or alcohol
- Tourist unfamiliarity: Out-of-town drivers not expecting cyclists
- Inadequate bike lane infrastructure: Poor separation between vehicles and cyclists
- Door zone accidents: Parked cars opening doors into bike lanes
Recent Santa Fe Cycling Incidents
Recent tragic accidents highlight the dangers facing Santa Fe cyclists:
- Professional cyclist injuries: High-profile crashes involving experienced riders on major roads
- Fatal crashes in Galisteo area: Incidents involving sun glare and visibility issues
- Training accident fatalities: Serious cyclists preparing for events struck during training rides
- West Alameda Street incidents: Multiple crashes involving sun glare as a factor
You may not be sure who or what caused the accident. If you are unsure, or whether you think you know what happened, call a bicycle accident attorney to investigate. It is not enough to think you know what happened. You need evidence to prove how the crash occurred and how the other person is responsible.
Common Bike Injuries
We are here to help whether you suffered moderate injuries in a collision or whether a crash has left you disabled. No matter your circumstances, we are here to fight for you to receive the maximum compensation possible.
Our bike injury lawyers have worked on cases involving:
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic head injuries
- Road rash
- Bone fractures
- Dislocated joints
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- High-altitude related complications
- Severe road rash from desert terrain
Who’s at Fault for a Santa Fe Bike Accident?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that 843 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2019, with thousands more seriously injured.
The most crucial part of any bicycle accident claim is figuring out who is at fault. This is the party or entity responsible for compensating you for your suffering. But first, your bike crash lawyer must prove that the accused party is to blame. This takes evidence.
For bicycle accidents, there are several different parties that could be at fault. More often than not, the driver that hit you will be found liable. Usually, because they were:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to stop
- Road rage
- Driving impaired by sun glare without taking proper precautions
- Unfamiliarity with local cycling laws and culture
Santa Fe Bicycle Laws and Regulations
Santa Fe has specific laws protecting cyclists:
- 5-foot safe passing law: Drivers must maintain minimum 5-foot distance when passing
- Bicycle lane protection: Motorists must yield to cyclists in bike lanes
- Right to the road: Cyclists have same rights as motor vehicles
- Lane control: Cyclists may “take the lane” when necessary for safety
But drivers are not the only party who could be responsible. Even though you were hit by a car, dangerous roadways and defective car parts could cause accidents. Dangerous road conditions might include:
- Missing street signs
- Misplaced street signs
- Lack of street lamps
- Unsecured road construction zones
- Unrepaired pavement
- Inadequate bike lane design or maintenance
- Poor trail maintenance on public paths
- Inadequate signage for shared-use areas
Santa Fe Municipal and County Liability
Government entities may be liable for:
- Santa Fe city streets: Poor maintenance of bike lanes and road surfaces
- Santa Fe County roads: Dangerous conditions on county-maintained routes
- Trail system maintenance: Neglect of public bike paths and mountain bike trails
- Traffic signal timing: Inadequate crossing times for cyclists
But what if defective auto parts caused your accident? The driver might not have had any control of the accident if a part was faulty in some way. Some of the different parties who could be culpable are:
- Auto parts producers
- Auto parts designers
- Auto dealerships
- Distributors
- Safety inspectors
Compensation for Bike Accident Injuries in NM
Under New Mexico law, you have the right to be made whole when someone else is responsible for harming you. This means you should be compensated for every way your life has been adversely affected by your bike accident. This includes economic and non-economic damages.
Your economic damages are financial and might consist of:
- Medical expenses
- Medical equipment
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Childcare expenses
- Costs of household maintenance
- Costs of repairing or replacing your bike
- Specialized cycling equipment replacement
- Travel expenses for specialized medical care
Non-economic damages are different. They include all other ways your life may have been turned upside down by your bike accident injuries.
Some of the more common non-economic damages are:
- Nuisance
- Damage to your reputation
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain
- Loss of cycling enjoyment and recreational activities
- Impact on professional cycling career or competitive activities
Why Choose Law Giant for Your Santa Fe Bicycle Accident Case
Our Santa Fe bicycle accident attorneys understand the unique challenges facing cyclists in our community:
Local Cycling Knowledge
- Familiar with Santa Fe cycling culture: Understanding of local trails, events, and cycling community
- Knowledge of dangerous areas: Experience with high-risk roads and intersections
- Understanding of local laws: Expertise in Santa Fe’s specific cycling ordinances
- Tourist factor awareness: Experience handling cases involving out-of-town drivers
Geographic and Environmental Expertise
- High-altitude considerations: Understanding of elevation-related visibility and health issues
- Weather impact analysis: Knowledge of how Santa Fe’s unique climate affects cycling safety
- Sun glare documentation: Experience with visibility-related accident reconstruction
- Trail system liability: Familiarity with public and private trail responsibilities
Community Connections
- Cycling advocacy relationships: Connections with Bike Santa Fe and local cycling organizations
- Medical expert network: Relationships with doctors experienced in cycling injuries
- Accident reconstruction specialists: Experts familiar with Santa Fe’s unique road conditions
- Local government understanding: Knowledge of city and county infrastructure responsibilities
We know that Santa Fe’s cycling community deserves safe roads and fair treatment when accidents occur. Our compassionate approach ensures you receive the support you need while we aggressively pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact Law Giant Injury Lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation about your bicycle accident case. We’re here to help protect Santa Fe’s cycling community and ensure those responsible for cyclist injuries are held accountable.
