San Diego Bike Accident Lawyers
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San Diego Bike Accident Lawyers Protecting The Rights Of Injury Victims
Call (888) 488-1391 to discuss your bike accident case today.
Located on the Pacific Coast, San Diego is the 8th most populous city in the U.S. and the 2nd most populous in California. This city borders Mexico and is often referred to as the “City in Motion.” Credited as the birthplace of California, it was the first site visited and settled by Europeans on the West Coast of the country. Research, manufacturing, tourism, military and defense activities, and international trade support this area economically.
San Diego also boasts a mild year-round climate with many parks and areas for outdoor recreation. Unfortunately, sometimes outdoor recreation can end in disaster. In these situations, consulting with a San Diego bike accident lawyer can help you better understand your legal options. Schedule your free initial consultation by calling (888) 488-1391.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Cycling In Sunny San Diego, California
There are plenty of paths, trails, and roads in San Diego to explore on two wheels, whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a road bike warrior, or a breezy beach cruiser.
Many residents and visitors alike use bicycles in San Diego to commute to and from work, run errands, cruise down the Mission Bay Bike Path, and simply get around town. Not only is it good exercise and good for the environment, but it can also save time and frustration that often arises from crowded and busy roadways. However, with more bicycles on the road comes an increased risk of accidents.
All motor vehicle drivers, including motorcyclists and truck drivers, have a duty to watch out for bicyclists and provide them with the right-of-way under the law. When drivers fail to do so, bicyclists can experience severe injuries or even death. Sadly, many drivers don’t appreciate these risks. Those who are injured in bike accidents have a right to receive compensation for their injuries and damages from the liable motor vehicle driver.
Injured bicyclists and their families should be aware that insurance companies generally review claims carefully before making any settlement offers. These reviews may involve evaluating liability, examining medical records, and considering the extent of damages, which can sometimes delay the process. Our San Diego bike accident lawyers can assist by reviewing settlement proposals, helping you understand your rights, and guiding you through each stage of the claims process.
Typical Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In San Diego
Bicycle accidents can be the result of many factors, although some factors are more common than others. For example, bicycle accidents commonly occur at stop signs. The cyclist enters the intersection when the vehicle has the right of way, or the bicyclist has the right of way, and the driver fails to stop. Other situations common in bicycle accidents include:
- Left Turns — A motorist makes a left turn in front of a bicyclist who is going straight, hitting them on the side or causing the bicyclist to run into the right side of their vehicle.
- Right Turns — A driver suddenly turns right in front of a bicyclist, which cuts them off. Typically, the driver is liable for these accidents.
- Dooring Accidents — It’s common to have bike lanes located parallel to parking zones. If a vehicle’s driver or passenger opens their door without checking to see if a bicyclist is near, serious injuries can occur.
No matter how your bicycle accident happened, our San Diego bike accident lawyers are here to help. We have experience representing injured bicyclists and their families throughout the San Diego area. Contact our office to schedule your free initial case review so our San Diego personal injury attorneys can explain your rights.
Bicycle Vs. Car Accident Types In San Diego
Some drivers find it difficult to share the road with others, including bicyclists, even though they are legally required to do so. There are many ways that cyclists can suffer injuries while on the road. The most common types of San Diego bike accidents include:
- Hit-and-run bike accidents
- Bicycle accidents with motor vehicles
- Road rage crashes
- Defects in the road
- Dog bites resulting from a bike chase
- Bike equipment failure
Our skilled San Diego bike accident lawyers from Arash Law can investigate and evaluate fault and liability in your accident. Once they get an idea of how your accident happened and who may have caused it, they can begin to negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries In San Diego
Bikes are no match for motor vehicles. It’s no wonder that bicycle accidents often cause very serious injuries. Some of these injuries affect victims for the rest of their lives. They may not be able to go back to work for an extended period of time or at all. Some require physical therapy to help them regain their mobility and independence.
Injuries require medical care, and medical care isn’t free. Who will pay for yours? In this case, one possible legal option is to demand compensation for your injuries, including the cost of your medical care, from the at-fault party. The person or entity who played a role in causing your accident may be liable for these costs.
Common injuries resulting from bicycle accidents include:
- Brain Injuries and Head Trauma — These injuries range from mild to fatal. Suppose you sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In that case, you may not be able to return to work due to permanent impairment of your cognitive functioning. Your personality can also be impacted, and you may suffer from other related medical conditions, such as seizures.
- Spinal and Neck Injuries — These types of bicycle accident injuries can lead to paralysis, permanently limiting your mobility. You might even require a permanent caregiver. Even whiplash, which is considered minor compared to other neck injuries, can be severely painful and take weeks or months to heal.
- Broken and Fractured Bones — They may not sound as serious as other injuries, but broken bones can cause many different problems. You may need surgery, physical therapy, or even spend time in the hospital with a fractured bone. Sometimes complications arise, such as infections or delayed healing.
- Internal Injuries — The force of the accident can cause damage to internal organs and life-threatening blood loss.
- Facial Injuries — The face is also very vulnerable in bicycle accidents. Your teeth can be knocked out, you can lose an eye, or have permanent scarring and psychological damage.
Anyone involved in a bicycle accident should be seen by a doctor right away. Sometimes the symptoms of these injuries may not show up immediately, but they are no less concerning. Waiting too long to seek medical care can be detrimental to your health and your legal rights.
San Diego Bike Accident Lawyers Who Can Help Seek Compensation For Your Injuries
Under California personal injury laws, you may seek compensation to help address your losses if you were not at fault for the accident. When a San Diego bike accident lawyer represents you, they will work to pursue damages, both monetary and non-monetary, and seek accountability in a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
These losses and the money you seek to cover them are called damages. Damages you may claim after a bicycle accident include:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Prescriptions
- Medical and mobility devices
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
When Should You Reach Out To A San Diego Bike Accident Lawyer?
No one expects to be involved in a bicycle accident. When one occurs, it can be very confusing. You may be uncertain as to what steps you need to take and when to take them. It’s crucial to note that time is of the essence. Reach out to our knowledgeable San Diego bike accident lawyers so we can help you understand your rights and the legal process of filing a claim.
You don’t have to know what steps to take next; your attorney is well-versed in the personal injury case process and can guide you every step of the way. Consulting with a lawyer sooner rather than later may help preserve your rights and prevent unnecessary complications. Waiting too long to seek legal advice can create challenges, such as the following:
- Valuable evidence in your case may be lost.
- You may miss the two-year California statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim.
- Your claim’s value may decrease.
- You may settle with the insurance company for much less than the value you are seeking compensation for.
Once your accident is reported to the driver’s insurance carrier, the company will likely reach out to you within a few days. Insurance adjusters may ask you questions about your injuries or the circumstances of the crash. At this stage, you may not yet know the full extent of your medical needs or other accident-related losses, which makes it difficult to evaluate whether an early settlement offer addresses them.
If you accept the settlement offer, you won’t be able to demand more money for your damages in the future. It may be in your interest to consult with a well-versed San Diego bike accident attorney before speaking to anyone from the insurance company or making any decisions about accepting a settlement.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
San Diego Bicycle Safety Tips
San Diego’s beautiful beach paths, meandering lake trails, and all-around gorgeous scenery make it ideal to jump on a bike and explore the city or the surrounding area. With so many bike rental shops scattered throughout the county, renting a few beach cruisers for the day and exploring the sights is simple.
Bicycles present some unique safety challenges, and although San Diego is thought of as being a bike-friendly place, bicyclists aren’t nearly as protected as those in passenger vehicles. They are incredibly vulnerable in the event of an accident. The good news is that there are steps bicyclists can take to help prevent accidents and protect themselves. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of accidents:
Be Prepared
Being proactive is one of the necessary actions a bicyclist can take to protect their safety. Check your bike to see if it is in good working order and well-maintained before riding it. Also, test your brakes to see if they work and your tires are properly inflated. These steps help reduce the chances that a mechanical failure could cause or contribute to an accident.
Obey Applicable Laws
Drivers aren’t the only ones who must follow traffic laws; bicyclists have rules that govern their use of the roadways, too. Obeying these laws isn’t an option; it’s imperative to help maintain your safety. For example, you should abide by all traffic signals and signs, ride in the direction of traffic, and not against it. Whenever possible, use the lane furthest to the right.
Take Smart Actions
Taking specific smart actions can make the difference between a safe and enjoyable bike ride and a catastrophic accident. Make your intentions clear while on the road so that others are aware of what you are doing or plan to do. Wearing reflective or brightly colored clothing is also advised, especially when it is dark outside or the conditions are less than ideal.
Put on an approved helmet and other riding safety gear, such as elbow or knee pads. While these items may not offer complete protection against an injury, they can significantly reduce the severity of the injury and its outcome.
What Is Negligence In A Bicycle Accident?
In general, negligence is the failure to do something that a prudent person in a similar situation would have done. Sometimes it’s intentional, and other times it’s not. Either way, it gives rise to a personal injury claim. Examples of negligence on the road include:
- Failing to look both ways.
- Exceeding the speed limit.
- Suddenly turning without using a turn signal.
- Driving while distracted.
- Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
To prove negligence, your San Diego bike accident lawyer must establish that:
- The other party owed you a duty of care (for example, to stop at a stop sign).
- The other party failed to adhere to that duty of care.
- You sustained injuries as a result.
- Your damages are the direct result of your injuries.
Your San Diego bicycle accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the crash and gather evidence to support your claim. This information can then be used in settlement discussions with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Suppose the driver’s insurance company doesn’t offer you an acceptable settlement to cover your damages fully. In that case, you may have the option of proceeding to litigation.
The vast majority of bicycle accident cases settle outside of court. However, if settlement negotiations in your claim are unsuccessful, the San Diego bike accident lawyers are prepared to represent you in the courtroom. Our attorneys will advocate for your rights, whether in settlement negotiations or in front of a judge.
Why Choose Our San Diego Bike Accident Lawyers To Handle Your Case?
You Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win Your Case
There is no need to pay us up front when we take your case. Instead, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we win your case. This fee is a percentage of the total settlement or award you receive. In other words, we only get paid if we get you results.
Personal Attention To Each Case
When you hire our firm, our San Diego Bike Accident Lawyers will personally handle your case from start to finish. Our commitment to personalized attention means we won’t pass off your case to an associate or paralegal. You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our legal representatives will address your inquiries. We can meet with you at your home, office, hospital, or any place reasonably convenient and accessible in the city or even within California!
Contact An Experienced San Diego Bike Accident Lawyer!
We are committed to justice and advocacy for bicycle accident victims and their families. Our San Diego bike accident lawyers have decades of collective experience representing personal injury clients just like yourself.
We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and many other California communities. Our skilled attorneys offer no-obligation initial case reviews to help you learn more about your legal rights and options.
Contact our firm at (888) 488-1391 or use the online form to schedule yours. Remember that the sooner you seek legal representation for your case, the sooner your attorney can work to preserve important evidence and protect your rights.
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