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We are fortunate to enjoy beautiful year-round weather here in San Luis Obispo. Traffic congestion, bike lanes, and numerous bicycle accessible parks mean thousands of people per month climb on their bicycle to enjoy the area, get exercise, and reduce pollution and traffic jams.
Unfortunately, like any method of transportation, the potential for an accident exists learn more from the San Luis Obispo bicycle accident lawyers about your legal options.
When an accident happens, contact the San Luis Obispo personal injury attorneys at Gomez Trial Attorneys who have a proven track record. We can help you navigate the process of insurance claims, review documents the insurance company asks you to sign, help with the negotiation process—and, if necessary, represent you in court. Call us today to see how we can help you or your child pay for the injuries that a negligent driver inflicted on you.
Every accident is different, every injury claim is different. Your overall health before a bicycle accident can impact how quickly you heal, the extent of the injuries you suffer, and the long-term impact of your injuries. Therefore, there is no single method of calculating the exact amount of damages you may be entitled to collect.
However, bicycle accident victims commonly sustain these damages:
Chances are, within a few days of an accident, an insurance adjuster will contact you. The first thing you should understand is the role of the adjuster. Their job will be to investigate the accident, determine who is at fault for the accident, and estimate the amount of damages you, as a victim, suffered as a result of the accident. However, their other job will be to minimize your claim and reach a settlement as quickly as possible.
Because the insurance adjuster is not working on your behalf, you should seek legal help from us. Victims of a bicycle accident should not sign any documents provided by an insurance adjuster without first having us review them, since you could forfeit rights you are entitled to under the law.
In the aftermath of a bicycle accident, many things need to happen. Victims who can safely remove themselves from risk of further injury should do so and call law enforcement officers to the scene to take an incident report. If you cannot do so yourself, ask someone for assistance, or reach out to a friend or family member to assist you at the scene.
You should:
Once you have received medical attention, you should pay attention to any changes in your physical condition for several days. Unexplained bouts of dizziness, blurry vision, headaches, or aches and pains that do not appear to have an underlying cause could be tied to the bicycle accident and may require follow-up with your doctor. Remember, you should keep track of all doctor visits, tests, time lost from work, and other activities associated with your recovery.
More than 13,000 people are in bicycle accidents in our state. Nationwide statistics show that 783 bicyclists died in motor vehicle crashes according to a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Fewer than 10 percent of the fatalities were children—the highest percentage of fatalities were males over the age of 40.
Several things can cause bicycle accidents. Regardless of the cause, they can result in serious injuries to the operator. The most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Factually, nearly 30 percent of all bicycle accidents occur at intersections. This may be a result of driver blind spots, drivers who are not paying attention to who they are sharing the road with, or because of inadequate lighting. Bike operators must obey the rules of the road, but they also are dependent upon the attentiveness of car, bus, and truck operators.
Bicyclists can also be injured in parking lots, on sidewalks, or in designated bike lanes. Parking lots pose some challenges because when a car is finished parking, the occupants open the door to get out. Bike accidents caused by a driver hitting a bicyclist with their doors are relatively common and can cause serious injuries.
Let’s face it, if you are involved in a car accident, there are some protections offered thanks to the vehicle. This does not make your chance of injury zero, but it does reduce some of your risks. Bicycle operators may wear a helmet, although anyone over the age of 18 is not required to do so in California. Any type of collision is likely to throw a biker from the bike—without a helmet, a biker is
fully exposed to a collision.
Bicycle accidents can result in some of the following types of injuries:
Every bicycle accident is different, victim injuries will be dependent upon several factors including the rate of speed the bike and vehicle were traveling, and what part of the bike was struck during a collision. Another huge factor in severity of a bicycle accident is the other vehicle involved like the difference between a motorcycle accident, car accident, or even a truck accident. Even a motorcycle crash involving a motorcycle striking a person can lead to a severe injuries for everyone involved in that pedestrian accident.
Bicycle Accident Attorney, John Gomez
Our San Luis Obispo bicycle accident attorneys can provide you with more information regarding what damages you may be eligible to claim. While there is never a guarantee you will be able to recover damages, working with an experienced attorney can help improve your chances of obtaining a settlement.
When a family loses a loved one in a bicycle accident on California roadways, they may be uncertain as to what rights, if any, they may have. Family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit that would entitle them to collect certain damages including funeral and burial costs incurred as a result of the loss of a family member. Money will never replace the love and affection of a family member, but your family should not have to suffer a financial loss because of the carelessness of someone who caused a bicycle accident.
Whether you were injured in a bicycle accident, or you are a family member of someone who died in a bicycle accident, our San Luis Obispo bicycle accident attorneys can explain your rights, help you understand your options, and help you decide the best way forward for you and your family. Call us at (619) 237-3490 or message us by clicking here.
Gomez Trial Attorneys
1334 Chorro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (619)-237-3490
No Fees Unless We Recover Money On Your Behalf