In an attempt to escape responsibility for a bicycle injury claim, insurance companies commonly argue that you, the bicyclist, assumed the risk of injury by hopping on your bicycle.  They argue this assumption of risk in three ways, some of which can be less than fair.

 1.  Written Release.  The most typical way insurance companies argue assumed risk is through a written release that expressly identifies the risks associated with bicycling (like colliding with other bicyclists during a race or sliding out while coming around a corner).  However, if the release is vague or ambiguous about these dangers, then it is invalid, as ambiguities are interpreted against the drafter in accordance with the law (California Civil Code, Section 1654). 

 The scope of the release must also be clear; if the release attempts to claim a risk not typically associated with bicycling, it may also be invalid.  For example, a written release wouldn’t normally be applicable to an athlete who was injured by defective products or equipment, a person not directly involved in the injury, or if a volunteer lets a car on the race course and it hits a racer. 

 Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t need a written release to claim you assumed the risk of injury while bicycling–they can assert primary and secondary assumption of risk without a written release.

 2.  Primary Assumption of Risk.  Primary assumptions of risk are the lawfully asserted risks inherent in a sport–risks like encountering ice while snow skiing or racing bicyclists taking turns too fast. 

 It is the popular opinion that if the courts were to award compensation to athletes injured by these inherent risks, they would be deterring vigorous recreation and competition among participants, altering the face of the sport forever. 

 3.  Secondary Assumption of Risk.  Secondary assumption of risk, however, is completely different.  This is akin to “comparative fault,” which is what happens when the fault is allocated based on the degree of risk in the conduct.  For example, a bicyclist riding a poorly-maintained bicycle that failed may be more “at fault” than a bicyclist riding a well-maintained bicycle.  The injury sustained by the former bicyclist weren’t due to the sport of bicycling, they were due to the negligent risk-taking of the bicyclist. 

 Bicyclists are, in general, aware that they cannot do what they love without enduring a little risk.  However, bicyclists should also remember that responsibility is a two way street: it is the cyclist’s responsibility to ride defensively on a well-maintained bicycle, but it is the insurance industry’s responsibility to accept their share of fault without the legal spin.

 Perhaps the best advice……  Know your rights, ride safe, and, if injury should occur, hire an experienced trial attorney to help you keep it fair.