If you are a cyclist, you probably know how exhilarating riding a bike through scenic roads in California is. However, cycling in California can be risky, as the state has some of the country's highest rates of bicycle accidents. If you are injured in a bicycle accident in California, you could sustain severe injuries and face challenges in certain spheres of your life.
Pursuing compensation in California is usually met with restraint. Defendants and insurance companies look for all possible ways to refute your claim and deny you compensation. Fight for your rights by retaining a competent personal injury attorney. If you could do it alone, this blog explains why hiring a lawyer after a bike accident is in your best interest.
You Have Sustained Serious Injuries From the Bike Accident
Unlike car occupants, bicyclists are prone to severe injuries even in low-speed crashes. After the collision, you could deal with various symptoms, including pain, limited mobility, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.
You may also face long-term health problems and need ongoing medical care. Because of these, you want to have a lawyer to help you hold the at-fault parties responsible and pursue the compensation you need. You need damages paid to cover your medical expenses and other costs associated with your recovery.
An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and will work to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. They understand the tactics insurance companies use and will fight for your rights.
Accident Lawyers Understand The Personal Injury Law Better
In California, personal injury laws are complicated for a typical citizen to decipher. However, a lawyer is familiar with the legal process and can help you navigate the complex legal system. Also, they will take you through the process until you understand the possible case outcomes. Your lawyer will help you understand the different types of compensation available, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
You Avoid Tricky Legal Pitfalls
Working with an accident lawyer could help you avoid the many legal pitfalls after a crash. For example, your accident attorney could advise you on what to say to the insurance company to avoid making statements that could weaken your case. Lawyers’ experience lets them negotiate with the insurance company and other parties involved in the crash to ensure you receive damages.
Ample Negotiation Experience
Experienced lawyers have the knowledge and skills to negotiate with the insurance company and other parties to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If necessary, your attorney will represent you in court and help you understand the legal process. Therefore, you know the possible case outcome.
The Help With Evaluating Your Case
Your personal injury lawyer evaluates your case and helps you understand your legal rights and available options. You obtain help to determine whether you have a valid claim and provide an estimate of the compensation for which you are eligible. A lawyer will also help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your claim so that you can make informed decisions about your legal options.
Proving Negligence
You need to prove that the other party was negligent in receiving compensation for your injuries and additional costs associated with your bike accident. This means showing that they failed to act reasonably and prudently and that this failure was a direct cause of your accident. Your California bike accident lawyer will be able to help you prove negligence and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Help with Unclear Fault Cases
In some cases, it can be difficult to determine who was at fault for a bike accident. Your California bike accident lawyer will be able to help you in these cases of unclear fault by thoroughly investigating the accident and gathering evidence that supports your claim.
They communicate with other parties involved in the crash, such as witnesses and experts, to gather additional information to strengthen your case. They will work with accident reconstruction experts and witness statements to build a strong case on your behalf.
Legal Support in Court
After a bike accident, you might be left with physical injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. It is natural to seek compensation for your losses, but navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a complex case involving insurance companies, witnesses, and other parties.
If your case goes to court, you need the support of a skilled California bike accident lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to represent you in court and make a compelling argument on your behalf. They will help you understand the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the trial.
Ensure You Meet All Filing Deadlines
You are advised to seek legal action as soon as possible after a bike accident. Prompt action is needed because of California strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. The California statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including bike accidents, is two years from the accident date. You must file a lawsuit within the specified time to maintain your right to do so.
The one that applies to your case depends on several factors, such as the type of accident, the extent of your injuries, and the parties involved. With a dedicated lawyer, you meet these deadlines and ensure your case is filed on time.
Provide Peace Of Mind
Dealing with the aftermath of a bike accident can be stressful and overwhelming. Hiring a California bike accident lawyer can provide peace of mind and relieve some burdens of pursuing a claim independently. Your lawyer will handle the legal process for you so that you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. From gathering evidence to filing your claim and negotiating with insurance companies, a lawyer can handle all the details, so you do not have to worry about them.
Focus on Bicycle Accident Recovery, Not Stressing About Your Finances
Being concerned about your finances is natural in the wake of a bike accident. You may face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with your recovery. A California accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover these expenses, so you can focus on your recovery instead of worrying about how you will pay for your care.
Build A Strong Personal Injury Claim
Building a solid personal injury claim alone can be challenging and complex. That is why hiring an experienced accident attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. An accident attorney can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected. They have the knowledge and expertise to investigate your case thoroughly, gather evidence, and build a strong argument on your behalf.
Below are some of the ways an accident attorney can help you build a solid personal injury claim:
Thorough Investigation
You begin building a solid personal injury claim by investigating the accident. An accident attorney can help you gather evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, police reports, and medical records. They can also help you identify any potential sources of liability, including individuals, companies, or government agencies.
Documentation
You must accurately document your losses to build a solid personal injury claim. This includes your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and any other costs associated with the accident. An accident attorney can help you collect and organize all the necessary documentation to support your claim.
Negotiation
Most personal injury claims are settled out of court through negotiation with insurance companies or other parties. An experienced accident attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement that covers all your losses, including future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Litigation
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may need to go to trial. An accident attorney can represent and argue your case before the court. They have the expertise and legal knowledge to present a compelling argument and advocate for your rights.
Maximizing compensation
An accident attorney can help you maximize your compensation by identifying all potential sources of recovery. They can also help you determine the total value of your losses, including future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Show How The Other Party’s Carelessness Caused Your Accident
Your California bike accident lawyer will be able to demonstrate how the other party's carelessness caused your accident. They will use the evidence they gather to show that the other party failed to act reasonably and that this failure was a direct cause of your accident. With their help, you can prove that the other party was at fault and receive the compensation you deserve.
Communicate With The Insurance Company For You
Dealing with the insurance company after a bike accident can be frustrating and time-consuming. However, your lawyer can communicate with the insurance company for you, so you do not have to worry about negotiating with them alone. Your attorney ensures your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.
Your Insurance Company Wants To Reduce Your Compensation
In some cases, the insurance company may try to reduce your compensation by arguing that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that you were partially at fault for the accident. You will need a competent lawyer to challenge these arguments and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Your Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
If the insurance company denies your claim, you should contact your lawyer to take legal action. Because of their legal backgrounds and education, your lawyers can represent you in court and make compelling arguments. Also, with their legal knowledge and experience, they ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair outcome for your case.
Calculate The Damages From Your Accident
Calculating the damages from a bike accident can be complex and challenging. Your California bike accident lawyer will be able to calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with your recovery. They could consider any long-term effects of your injuries, such as lost earning potential and decreased quality of life, to ensure you receive total and fair compensation.
Below are some ways an accident attorney can assist you in this process:
Understanding The Different Types Of Damages
To calculate damages accurately, you need to understand the different types of damages that you may be entitled to. These include economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. An accident attorney can help you understand the different types of damages and how they apply to your case.
Evaluating The Full Extent Of Your Injuries
An accident attorney can also help you evaluate the full extent of your injuries. They can work with medical experts to assess your injuries and determine the long-term effects they may have on your life. This is important because it can help you accurately calculate the economic and non-economic damages you may be entitled to.
Identifying All Potential Sources Of Compensation
In addition to evaluating your injuries, an accident attorney can help you identify all potential sources of compensation. This includes insurance policies, government benefits, and other sources of financial support available to you. By identifying all possible sources of compensation, an accident attorney can help you maximize the compensation you receive for your losses.
Fight for Total Compensation for Your Costs
Your California bike accident lawyer will fight for total compensation for your costs, including your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. They will negotiate with the insurance company and represent you in court, if necessary, to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. With their help, you could recover financially from your accident and move forward.
Common Defendants In Bike Accident Cases
In Los Angeles, bike accidents are common and can lead to serious injuries and high costs. You want to hold the at-fault party liable if involved in a bike accident.
The most common defendant in bike accident cases is often the motor vehicle driver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 75% of all fatal bike accidents involved a collision with a motor vehicle.
This means that drivers are responsible for the majority of serious bike accidents. It is worth noting that drivers are often at fault due to distracted driving, speeding, or failing to yield to cyclists.
Another potential defendant in a bike accident case is the city or municipality where the accident occurred. Occasionally, unsafe road conditions or poorly designed bike lanes may contribute to an accident. According to the League of American Bicyclists, 29% of bike fatalities occur on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or higher, suggesting that unsafe road conditions contribute to many bike accidents.
In some cases, a bike manufacturer or retailer may also be a defendant in a bike accident case. This can happen if the bike itself is defective or if it was sold with faulty parts. While these cases are less common, they can still occur and may result in significant damages for the injured cyclist.
It is also worth noting that the injured cyclist may sometimes be partially at fault for the accident. For example, it could be considered contributory negligence if you did not wear a helmet or rode against the traffic. However, even in cases where the cyclist shares some fault, they may still be able to recover damages from other defendants who were also at fault.
Ultimately, the specific defendants in a bike accident case will depend on the unique circumstances of the accident. However, the statistics show drivers are the most common defendants in bike accident cases. If you are injured in a bike accident, you must work with an experienced attorney who can help you determine who the potential defendants may be and pursue the compensation you need to cover your expenses.
Find a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
Sustained injuries in a bike accident cause pain to you and your loved ones. You deplete your savings with hospital bills, bike repairs, and a possible loss of income. Due to the aftermath, you need to work with a reputable lawyer.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer comes with several benefits, including knowledge of the law, negotiation experience, and legal support in court. When you retain a lawyer, you can quickly gather evidence and build a strong claim, communicate with the insurance company, and fight for total compensation for your costs. With their help, you can focus on your recovery and move forward.
At Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney, we boast immense negotiation skills, vast networks in the California judicial system, and many years of experience. That said, you have peace of mind knowing your case is in the hands of tried and tested lawyers. Call us today at 424-231-2013 and speak with a lawyer for a case review and legal counsel.
