73-Year-Old Dies in Single-Vehicle Bay Area Bicycle Accident

Single-vehicle bicycle accidents in the Bay Area are not uncommon. As the name suggests, these crashes occur when cyclists crash without impacting any other vehicles. Often, these accidents prove fatal – and a clear example of this occurred recently in the Bay Area. However, it is worth noting that a single-vehicle accident does not necessarily indicate that no one else was to blame. Many factors can lead to single-vehicle accidents, including the negligence of other motorists. If you were injured in a recent Bay Area bicycle accident, consider speaking with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in San Francisco. These legal professionals may be able to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

73-Year-Old Dies From Single-Vehicle Bicycle Accident

In March of 2025, an elderly cyclist lost his life in what first responders are calling a single-vehicle accident. In other words, this 73-year-old crashed his bike with no involvement from other vehicles or motorists. He reportedly hit a curb in Fremont before falling onto the ground and suffering fatal injuries. Despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet, these facial and head injuries proved too severe for the man to survive.

Despite the fact that no other motorists seem to have been involved, the local police say the crash is still under investigation. They are also hesitant to reveal what specifically caused the crash, and the East Bay Times says they’re not ruling out intoxication.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After a Single-Vehicle Bicycle Accident?

At first glance, it might seem impossible to file a personal injury claim after a bicycle accident. After all, California is an at-fault state when it comes to traffic collisions. If no one else is to blame for your crash, there are few ways to pursue compensation from third parties.

Many bicycle accidents in San Francisco involve cyclists losing control after going down steep hills. We all know that the city is famous for its hilly terrain. While this makes San Francisco an enjoyable ride for many cyclists, these steep hills also present various hazards.

If you suffered injuries after losing control on a steep hill, you might struggle to pursue compensation via a normal personal injury claim. For example, you might have gone down a hill too fast before crashing into a tree and suffering traumatic brain injuries.

Note that speed limits apply to all vehicles – including cyclists. It is certainly possible for a cyclist to break the speed limit in San Francisco, especially when heading down a steep hill. After an investigation, the authorities might determine that you not only caused your own crash but also violated the speed limit. This could make it extremely difficult to pursue compensation.

However, not all single-vehicle crashes involve single sources of fault. Even if you never came into contact with another vehicle, another motorist may still have contributed to your accident. For example, you might have hit a curb after veering away from a negligent driver who cut you off. Perhaps you crashed into a tree only after swerving to avoid a drunk driver heading into oncoming traffic. These types of incidents could easily eject you from your bicycle, leading to serious injuries.

Single-vehicle accidents may also be caused by government organizations and other negligent third parties. For example, you might have crashed after going into a construction site with no proper warning signs. Perhaps you turned a corner and were suddenly confronted with a ditch that threw you off your bike. Construction contractors and government agencies have a duty of care to post warning signs around these hazards.

Finally, it may be possible to file a claim against a government agency if your single-vehicle bike accident was caused by missing or misleading signs. For example, you might have seen a sign for a new bike route – but this sign might have directed you to a dead end. After colliding with a concrete barrier, you might have suffered catastrophic injuries due to this incorrect sign.

Can a Bay Area Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help After a Single-Vehicle Crash?

Single-vehicle accidents often claim the lives of cyclists. Older cyclists may be particularly vulnerable to fatal collisions, and those who survive may face permanent disabilities, disfigurements, and other challenges. Cyclists are often to blame for their single-vehicle crashes – but not always. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in the Bay Area may be able to investigate these crashes and uncover evidence of subtle contributory negligence from other parties. If you are considering a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one, you might want to speak with Mary Alexander & Associates before dismissing this possibility altogether. Schedule a consultation today to begin the process.