Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorneys

“Share the road.” It’s a common refrain seen on bumper stickers and road signs across the country. As biking continues to rise in popularity as a low-cost, environmentally friendly way to exercise and commute, the need for drivers and cyclists to share the road responsibly will only become more and more pressing in Riverside.

Riverside is no exception. Although the city is cycling-friendly, it also faces a rising risk of accidents that leave cyclists badly, even fatally, injured.

If you have suffered injuries in a Riverside bicycle accident, then you may have the right to receive substantial financial compensation from the driver of the car that struck you or from others whose careless decisions or actions put you in harm’s way. Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys today to learn about our legal practice representing Riverside bicycle accident victims in legal actions seeking that compensation.

About Gomez Trial Attorneys’ Riverside Bike Accident Law Practice

John Gomez and his colleagues serve victims of bicycle accidents throughout Southern California, including in Riverside. By leveraging their experience, skills, and resources, they have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for their injured clients. Although they cannot guarantee that any particular client will recover compensation for bicycle accident injuries, they can promise that clients will receive the personalized attention of a lawyer who knows how to get results in and out of the courtroom.

Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics

Bicycle crashes in Riverside are not new. In fact, statistics show that cyclist fatalities are on the rise in California, where 455 bicycle-accident-related deaths occurred in a recent two year period (including 25 fatalities right here in Riverside). A large percentage of those tragic deaths (and the thousands of injuries that did not result in a fatality) could have been avoided if motorists, in particular, exercised caution when sharing the road.

Riverside Cyclists’ Responsibilities

Riverside cyclists have the same right to use Riverside roads as any car or truck driver. They also have similar responsibilities for protecting their own safety.

That includes obeying rules of the road, such as:

• They must yield to pedestrians.
• They must drive in the same direction as traffic.
• They must obey traffic signals, road markings, and street signs.
• They must keep their eyes on the road and the surrounding traffic, avoiding distracted driving.

Riverside cyclists who fail to follow these rules put themselves at risk for a serious, potentially-fatal collision with a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, even when cyclists do follow the rules of the road, accidents happen because of the careless or reckless conduct of motorists.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Cyclists risk potentially deadly injuries in a traffic collision. Whereas motor vehicle drivers and passengers have the protection of a car frame, seat belts, and airbags, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to injury in an accident. The only safety equipment protecting them from a crushing blow is usually nothing more than a helmet, and even that cannot prevent head injuries entirely.

Common injuries cyclists suffer in Riverside bicycle crashes can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting in severe motor, cognitive, and emotional impairment;
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis;
• Complex bone fractures and limbs crushed under vehicles;
• Severe road rash; and
• Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

No matter the type of injury a cyclist suffers in Riverside, the team at Gomez Trial Attorneys has the know-how and resources to evaluate their injuries and to determine the amount of compensation they deserve under California law.

Common Causes of Cycling Accidents

Bicycle accidents occur under a variety of circumstances.

Some common scenarios leading to Riverside cycling accident injuries include:

• Poor road conditions: Road conditions such as potholes, crumbling road shoulders, and debris in bike lanes can lead to a bicycle crash. City road departments have a responsibility to fix these conditions.
• Motorist error: Mistakes behind the wheel of a car or truck can have deadly consequences for cyclists in Riverside. Speeding, dangerous passing, and failure to yield the right of way to a cyclist can all lead to a dangerous collision.
• Defective automotive or cycling equipment: Cyclists can also suffer injuries because of mechanical failure in a car or truck sharing the road with them, or failure of their cycling equipment.

No matter the cause of a Riverside cycling crash, the lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys know how to evaluate the circumstances to identify all parties who have legal liability for a cyclist’s injuries.

Compensation for Riverside Bicycle Accident Injuries

Riverside bicycle accident victims often have the legal right to seek compensation from the parties at fault for their injuries. The specific circumstances of a cycling crash determine the type and amount of compensation an accident victim might recover.

However, in general, clients of Gomez Trial Attorneys can usually seek to recover economic and non-economic damages for their Riverside cycling accident injuries, and in some cases may also include punitive damages:

Economic damages consist of a victim’s out-of-pocket expenses relating to Riverside bicycle accident injuries, including:

• Medical Costs (past and future)
• Lost Wages (past and future)
• Household Services
• Lost Earning Capacity
• Rehabilitative Services
• Property Damages
• Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Non-Economic damages represent the harm suffered in a Riverside bicycle crash that does not result in direct out-of-pocket expenses, but instead consists of life difficulties such as:

• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress
• Mental Anguish
• Loss of Consortium
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Physical Impairment or Disfigurement

Punitive Damages: In California, punitive damages are sometimes available when the conduct leading to a cyclist’s injuries is particularly outrageous or reckless. These damages aim to punish the person at fault and to deter future misconduct.

The most reliable way to determine the amount of money you may have the right to receive for your Riverside bicycle crash injuries is to consult with an experienced Riverside bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after your injury. The lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys have the experience and resources cycling accident victims need to give themselves the best possible shot at recovering maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.

Time Limits for Seeking Compensation

Generally, in California, if you are injured in a Riverside bicycle accident, you have two years from the date of your injury to take legal action seeking compensation from the parties who have a legal liability to you. However, that time limit can shrink to as little as six months in some cases. Missing that deadline can result in you losing your legal rights altogether.

Protect your legal rights after getting hurt in a Riverside bicycle accident by contacting the experienced bicycle accident injury lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys right away. The sooner you speak with an attorney about your injury, the greater your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.

Timeline for a Riverside Bicycle Crash Injury Claim

Many factors can determine how long it takes for you to receive compensation for your Riverside bicycle crash injuries.

To begin, remember there is no guarantee you will recover money at all. In claims that reach a successful outcome for the cyclist, the timeline varies considerably. We have represented clients in claims that ended in just a few months. We have had other cases that took a year or more to get to trial. Many of the factors affecting the timeline for a bicycle accident injury claim are out of your and your lawyer’s control, including the amount of money in dispute, the number of parties involved in the case, any disputes over facts or legal issues, and even the personalities of the lawyers, insurance representatives, parties, and judge.

One factor that is in your control, however, is the decision to speak with an experienced bicycle accident injury attorney about your claim. As we said above, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome as efficiently as possible.

Settlement Offers in Riverside Bicycle Accident Cases

Riverside bicycle accident victims sometimes hear directly from the insurance company or defense lawyer representing the fault for their injuries. These representatives may even offer to pay the accident victim a settlement before the victim has hired a lawyer.

Tempting as it may seem to take the money, Riverside bicycle crash victims should exercise extreme caution when it comes to these unsolicited offers of seemingly free money. A settlement comes with strings attached: namely, that in accepting payment the victim gives up legal rights to sue. The settlement, in other words, is a one-shot-deal. Get it wrong, and you may end up realizing you agreed to a payment that was too small, without the ability to ask for more.

At Gomez Trial Attorneys, we negotiate settlements on our clients’ behalf, so that they never fall prey to these sorts of tactics.

Steps to Take After a Riverside Bicycle Accident

The actions riverside cycling accident victims take after a crash can affect their legal rights to compensation. Here are some tips that can protect your safety and your rights.

Call 911 and Get Medical Help

Even if you do not think you have suffered a severe injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible after a Riverside bicycle accident. A doctor can examine you for hidden injuries and get started on treating you right away. Also, the records of your doctor visit may prove valuable in a legal action seeking compensation for your injuries.

Take Pictures or Video

A lot of the time, Riverside cycling accident victims are too badly hurt to do anything at the accident scene other than receive treatment from an EMT. However, if you are lucky enough to survive the accident without serious impairment, take the opportunity to snap some quick pictures or videos with your cell phone of the accident scene, your bike, the vehicle that struck you, and your injuries. These may prove very useful to your lawyer.

Contact Information

In the same vein, if you can do so safely, get the names and contact information of anyone at the scene who was involved in, responded to, or saw the accident. Your lawyer can follow up with these witnesses later to obtain their account of what happened.

Avoid Making Definitive Statements About Fault to an Insurance Company

After any accident involving the person or company to whom they issued insurance, insurance companies want to know what happened and, more importantly, how they can avoid paying a penny more than they need to as compensation to anyone. Be mindful that in any conversation with an insurance company, even your own carrier, not to say anything that could suggest you were to blame for your own injuries. Stick to the facts only, and let the lawyers deal with questions of fault.

How Our Experienced Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help

Bicycle accident victims in Riverside suddenly confront a life temporarily, even permanently, transformed by a severe injury. Medical bills pile up. They miss work. Their world has turned upside down.

In those stressful circumstances, the last thing victims may think to do is call a lawyer. However, hiring an attorney as soon as possible can make a significant difference in the victim’s long-term wellbeing.

Though the specific services an attorney provides will vary based on the circumstances, some of the services our team at Gomez Trial Attorneys routinely provides include:

• Investigation of Riverside bicycle accidents to determine what happened and who has a legal liability to our client;
• Negotiation with defense lawyers and insurance companies in pursuit of a fair and reasonable settlement or our clients’ claims; and
• Litigation in California courts, including going to trial when necessary, if negotiation alone does not produce an acceptable result for our client.

Experienced Riverside Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyers

John Gomez, Riverside Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member suffered harm in a Riverside bicycle accident, then you may have the right to recover substantial financial compensation from the parties at fault. Do not wait to seek experienced, skilled legal advice. You may have a very limited opportunity to take legal action for monetary damages, so please reach out to us now. Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys today or call us at (619) 237-3490 for a free, confidential, no-obligation case consultation.