Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Lawyers
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Our Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Lawyers Offer Legal Support For Injured Victims
The popularity of bicycling keeps growing as more people turn to eco-friendly transportation options. It is often a more convenient and cost-effective choice, especially in areas with heavy traffic. However, cycling still carries risks, and accidents can occur when drivers fail to respect cyclists’ rights. If someone else’s negligence causes your injury while riding a bike, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. Our Bakersfield bicycle accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
California has a large number of people who rely on bicycles for transportation. Unfortunately, this also means bicycle-related injuries and fatalities are a serious concern in the state. In fact, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports more than 150 cyclist deaths per year. Due to the lack of protection and vulnerability of cyclists, bicycle accidents frequently lead to severe injuries and significant financial losses.
At Arash Law, our Bakersfield bicycle accident attorneys can review your case and discuss your legal options. You can call us for a free case evaluation or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form. Our legal team will assess your situation and reach out to you as soon as possible.
Settlement in a bicycle versus taxi cab company accident; client suffered lower leg injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Do You Need Experienced Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Lawyers For Your Claim?
In traffic accidents involving a vehicle and a cyclist, the cyclist is generally at greater risk of sustaining serious injuries. When you suffer injuries or lose a loved one in a vehicle-bicycle collision, you may need experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Bakersfield to handle your case and work toward a favorable outcome. Your lawyer can explain the claims process, advise you on what to say or avoid saying, and guide you on what to do to help protect your rights.
After an accident, insurance companies are aware of your injuries and losses. A lawyer can review settlement offers and help you understand factors that may affect your case. They can also evaluate the details of your claim and estimate your potential claim’s value, helping you make informed decisions during negotiations.
How Can Arash Law’s Bicycle Accident Lawyers In Bakersfield Help You
Bicycle accidents can result in physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses. Our Bakersfield bicycle accident attorneys can assist you in pursuing compensation for injuries, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related losses.
Many cyclists and their families are unaware of the legal options available after a traffic collision. Our lawyers can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and present a clear case to support claims for damages related to the accident.
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Bakersfield have decades of combined experience handling bicycle accidents and other personal injury cases. We can assist with communicating with insurance companies, reviewing settlement offers, and advocating on your behalf throughout the claims process.
Common Injuries In Bicycle Accidents In Bakersfield, CA
A bicycle is no match for a two-to-three-ton motor vehicle. Bicyclists are often at risk of severe injury in vehicle collisions due to the lack of protection. Common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents in California include:
Broken Or Fractured Bones
Fractures can range from minor to severe. In some cases, they require immediate medical treatment and can be life-threatening. It is also possible to develop chronic pain when you suffer from fractured bones. Additionally, some fractures may impact nearby nerves, soft tissue, and internal organs.
Road Rash
A road rash is a friction wound, and bicycle accidents often result in this type of injury. It happens when your skin gets scraped off by a hard surface. Cyclists do not have the same level of protection as vehicle owners do, so they can easily get these abrasions.
Head Trauma & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Collisions with cars can cause traumatic brain injuries, especially when the bicyclist doesn’t use high-quality helmets. This kind of injury can be life-threatening. It’s crucial to seek medical attention right away if you or someone you know has suffered a head injury. Since TBIs often lead to permanent damage, bicycle accident attorneys in Bakersfield can help factor in potential future medical needs when evaluating a settlement.
Knee Injuries
When a rider’s knee breaks in a traffic crash, they are likely to suffer painful knee injuries. As a weight-bearing structure of the leg, injuries to the knee can result in long-term problems.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle increases the risk of spinal cord injury. Spinal injuries result in severe and lifelong consequences, including paralysis to one or more parts of the body and even death.
Loss Of Limb
A serious bicycle accident can cause traumatic amputation. This is when a part of the body, usually a limb like an arm or a leg, gets cut off by the sheer force of the collision or crash. Amputations are also common if the limb has severe and irreparable tissue damage.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries can lead to headaches and light sensitivity. They can also cause double vision, blurred vision, partial vision loss, and blindness. A severe eye injury impacts someone’s vision for the worse.
Internal Bleeding
An object that penetrates your flesh during an accident may cause internal injuries. You may also sustain blunt trauma if something slams into you or if you hit something hard. Lastly, the force of a collision may rupture blood vessels.
Wrongful Death
Getting killed is the worst that could happen to anyone in a traffic accident. If a loved one is killed after getting hit by a vehicle while riding a bike, you may be able to seek compensation for hospital bills, funeral expenses, and other damages through a wrongful death claim.
Each wrongful death case is unique, and the circumstances surrounding the accident can affect the types of damages that may be pursued under the law. Our Bakersfield bicycle accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options and guide you through the claims process. We can help gather evidence relevant to your wrongful death claim, such as medical records, accident reports, and expert evaluations.
Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In Bakersfield, California
In most vehicle-bicycle collisions, the driver usually bears the legal responsibility, but every accident is different. Our experienced Bakersfield bicycle accident lawyers can evaluate the unique circumstances of your case and help assess who might be responsible for your losses.
The following are common factors that lead to bicycle accidents:
- Drivers’ failure to look out for cyclists.
- Distracted drivers who drift into bike lanes, sidewalks, or highway shoulders.
- Opening a car door without checking for clearance.
- Drivers who drive aggressively near cyclists out of impatience.
- Drivers who drive recklessly (e.g., following too closely or tailgating cyclists).
- Using a phone while driving.
- Making unsafe turns.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Driving while drowsy.
- Exceeding speed limits.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way.
What To Do After A Bicycle Accident In Bakersfield, CA
If you got in a bicycle accident, the very first thing you should do is get to safety. Your health and safety are the most critical things in such situations.
Here are some steps you may take to help protect your rights after a crash:
- See a Doctor or Medical Professional — If you suffer a bicycle accident, seek immediate medical attention. Your health and safety should always be your top priority. Call 911 and wait for the emergency response team to arrive.
- Call the Police Immediately — They can help manage the situation and do the initial investigation. The police report after your accident is beneficial. When making a police report, make sure the officer includes their name and badge number. Your Bakersfield attorney can use this information to follow up with the authorities if additional details are needed.
- Collect Evidence — Collecting evidence is another crucial step. You can gather evidence by taking pictures of the accident, your injuries, damage to your property, and your surroundings. Talk to eyewitnesses and get their contact details as well.
- Save Receipts and Keep Medical Bills — Medical bills and receipts can also serve as evidence in the future. A thorough documentation can help show the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life.
Our Bakersfield bicycle accident lawyers can conduct a thorough review of your accident and help gather relevant evidence. This information can help you understand the circumstances of your case and support discussions with insurance companies or other parties involved.
What To Do After A Bicycle Accident In Bakersfield, CA
If you got in a bicycle accident, the very first thing you should do is get to safety. Your health and safety are the most critical things in such situations.
Here are some steps you may take to help protect your rights after a crash:
- See a Doctor or Medical Professional — If you suffer a bicycle accident, seek immediate medical attention. Your health and safety should always be your top priority. Call 911 and wait for the emergency response team to arrive.
- Call the Police Immediately — They can help manage the situation and do the initial investigation. The police report after your accident is beneficial. When making a police report, make sure the officer includes their name and badge number. Your Bakersfield attorney can use this information to follow up with the authorities if additional details are needed.
- Collect Evidence — Collecting evidence is another crucial step. You can gather evidence by taking pictures of the accident, your injuries, damage to your property, and your surroundings. Talk to eyewitnesses and get their contact details as well.
- Save Receipts and Keep Medical Bills — Medical bills and receipts can also serve as evidence in the future. A thorough documentation can help show the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
Bicycle Accident Liability In Bakersfield, CA
There is an “at-fault” system in California, where liability depends on who is responsible for the accident. This “at-fault” state law generally requires the at-fault driver’s insurance to compensate the injured party for damages. In a bike accident, this applies whether or not you were wearing a helmet or riding in a designated bike lane.
In California, registration and licensing laws for bikers vary from county to county. However, legal protections for cyclists are statewide. The California Vehicle Code (VEH) (21200) lists the regulations for this in detail. It mandates cyclists to follow the same traffic laws as motorists. Simultaneously, it grants them the same legal rights and protections as motorists.
Our Bakersfield bicycle accident attorneys can review the details of your case and help assess potential liability. We examine evidence such as police reports, witness statements, accident scene photos, and relevant traffic laws to understand the factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Statistics
Biking is becoming increasingly popular in Bakersfield, like in many other California cities. However, bike accidents remain a problem in the city despite efforts to keep cyclists safe.
In 2022, a total of 1,105 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the United States, marking a 13.2% increase from the previous year. In contrast, California reported 177 bicyclist fatalities in traffic crashes during the same year, which actually represented a 32.1% decrease compared to 2021.
Frequently Ask Questions About Bakersfield Bicycle Accidents
Do I Need To Cover A Bicycle Accident?
If a vehicle driver is at fault, their auto insurance policy can cover the damages you’ve suffered. Claims proceed much like personal injury claims from two-car collisions.
Hiring a skilled Bakersfield bicycle accident attorney could be beneficial in your case. Our legal team has years of experience advocating for injured bicyclists in personal injury claims.
What If A Defective Bicycle Part Contributed To My Accident?
Bicycle auto parts that malfunction can cause serious collisions. Our Bakersfield bicycle accident attorneys can help review the circumstances of your accident to determine whether a defective part may have played a role. They may examine recall data, design plans, or technical schematics to better understand the potential defect.
In California, manufacturers and distributors of bicycle parts can potentially be held strictly liable for accidents caused by defects, depending on the facts of the case. Attorneys can offer guidance on evaluating such claims and identifying relevant evidence types.
What If The Bicycle Rider Is Partially At Fault?
In some cases, defendants may claim that the bicycle rider violated one of California’s bicycle laws. They may also claim the rider was otherwise responsible for the accident. However, this does not bar injured bicyclists from pursuing compensation for their losses.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means a partially responsible cyclist may still be able to pursue compensation. However, the total amount awarded will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
What Are Bicycle Safety Guidelines To Help Prevent Accidents And Injuries?
You can lower your risk of injury while cycling by:
- Wearing a bike helmet and other safety gear when cycling.
- Following all traffic rules as if you’re driving a car.
- Improving visibility at night by equipping your bike with reflectors and lights.
- Wearing bright colors to be more visible to car drivers.
- Not riding alone in bad weather, at night, or when visibility is low.
Contact Our Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Attorneys For Legal Help
You don’t need to navigate the claims process alone. Bakersfield bicycle accident attorneys at Arash Law can provide guidance and support throughout your case. They can help review evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and explain the steps involved in pursuing a claim.
Arash Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay upfront legal fees. If you choose to move forward with a claim, attorneys’ fees will be deducted from the recovery obtained. If your claim doesn’t lead to any compensation, you won’t owe us legal fees. Case-specific costs may still apply. We will explain this process to you in detail so there are no surprises.
To discuss your case with us, contact (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation. We assist bicycle accident victims in and around Bakersfield, including Lost Hills, Lakeview, Stallion Springs, Mojave, Reefer City, Shafter, Twin Oaks, Tehachapi, Golden Hills, Maricopa, Valley Acres, Grapevine, Bear Valley Springs, Fuller Acres, and McFarland.
