Santa Cruz Bicycle Accident Lawyers
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Trusted Santa Cruz Bicycle Accident Lawyers Offer Determined And Relentless Representation
Accidents involving bicycles are by no means trivial. When a car hits a bike, the cyclist usually suffers more. Severe injuries are far more common in these collisions, leaving victims facing a long road to recovery. Arash Law stands alongside injured cyclists and their families. Our Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers bring expertise and compassion to every case, fighting tirelessly for the compensation and justice you deserve. Call us now at (888) 488-1391.
Not all accident lawyers are created equal. At Arash Law, our Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers have a proven track record of success in bicycle accident cases. We understand the unique challenges cyclists face. We’ll take on the stress and legwork, so you’re free to focus on getting better.
We offer a free, no-pressure case review, so you can understand your rights and get the support you need during this difficult time. Ask your questions, explore your options, and let us show you how we can get you back on the road to recovery without the legal roadblocks.
Does v. California Farm (confidential) –settlement for a group of farmworkers who were killed when the car they were transported in to work flipped over in Merced County.– BENNY KHORSANDI
How Can Santa Cruz Bicycle Accident Lawyers At Arash Law Help You Fight For Your Rights?
Prepare A Strong Case
One of the first things our Santa Cruz bicycle accident attorneys will do to create a comprehensive case is to look into your accident in full detail. They’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and enlist expert testimonials if required. With this solid groundwork, you’ll be better positioned to push for the highest possible compensation.
Advocate For Your Best Interests
Insurance companies have their own agenda. Our Santa Cruz injury law firm will help you level the playing field, ensuring you’re not bullied or shortchanged by adjusters looking to minimize payouts.
Negotiate And, If Necessary, Litigate
It is common for insurers to minimize compensation. An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate strategically with these insurance companies and avoid low-ball settlement offers. When negotiations fail, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit.
When someone’s negligence causes you harm, getting justice can feel like an endless road. That’s where our Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers come in. We’ll be your champions, tirelessly uncovering the truth and securing the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
Bicycles, cars, and other vehicles share California’s vast road network. However, the inherent physical disparity between these modes of transportation significantly alters collision dynamics. The exposure and minimal safety measures naturally put bicyclists at a higher risk of sustaining more severe injuries in an accident compared to their motor vehicle counterparts.
- Distracted Driving – One of the major contributors to road accidents is distracted driving. California has actively tried to mitigate this risk with laws prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving.
- Impaired Driving – The dangerous act of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol endangers everyone on the road, particularly cyclists and pedestrians.
- Insufficient Space for Cyclists – Drivers neglecting to allow at least a three-foot gap when overtaking or traveling alongside cyclists dramatically increases the chances of a collision.
- Failure to Yield – Accidents can occur when drivers disregard the need to yield to cyclists at intersections or other places of convergence.
- Disregarding Traffic Signals – Ignoring traffic lights and stop signs creates a significant hazard for cyclists.
- Speeding – Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, which is a crucial factor in making safe decisions on the road.
- Dangerous Lane Changes – Weaving between lanes, making unsafe lane changes, or overtaking bike lanes can result in serious accidents.
- Unsafe Turns – Even if a driver has a green signal at an intersection, they hold an ongoing responsibility to check for cyclists and pedestrians before executing a turn.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers can help you understand your rights under California laws surrounding personal injuries.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
An average cyclist versus a multi-ton vehicle is an immense mismatch. The cyclist often takes the brunt of the impact, first against the vehicle, then against the pavement. This brutal sequence can lead to a range of injuries, some of which carry lasting consequences.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs range from mild (often called concussions) to severe, and they can have various short-term or long-term physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral effects.
- Amputations – When a limb sustains such irreparable damage that it cannot be saved, surgical removal may become necessary.
- Paralysis – Severe injuries can result in a cyclist losing control over their body, leading to paraplegia (immobility of the lower body) or quadriplegia (complete body paralysis).
- Fractures – When gravity takes over, cyclists often brace for impact, making clavicles, hips, arms, and wrists particularly vulnerable to fractures.
- Facial and Dental Injuries – When a cyclist is catapulted over the handlebars, landing face and head first is quite likely, making facial scars and dental trauma common occurrences.
- Joint Dislocation – As cyclists often attempt to decrease the impact of falling by sticking out their wrists, elbows, or shoulders, these joints are subjected to extreme pressure and can dislocate.
- Road Rash – Skidding or tumbling across the hard pavement can cause severe skin scrapes and bruises, commonly known as road rash.
Our bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Cruz can be your legal ally. We’ll ensure your voice is heard and your interests are protected every step of the way so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
How To Determine Responsibility For Your Injuries After An Accident
The aftermath of a traffic accident can leave you grappling with injuries, emotional turmoil, and a mountain of questions. One crucial concern is: who’s liable? Pinpointing the responsible party involves understanding the legal concept of negligence, which rests on four key elements.
- Duty – Every road user, whether they’re a motorist or cyclist, owes a fundamental duty of care to others. This duty involves acting reasonably to avoid causing harm.
- Breach – Did someone violate that duty? Did a driver run a red light? Were they talking on the phone while driving? Identifying the breach forms the foundation of your claim.
- Causation – Did the breach directly cause your injuries? A pothole you swerved to avoid might not hold the same weight as colliding with a reckless driver’s vehicle. Establishing a clear link is crucial.
- Damages – These include the physical, emotional, and financial losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. Medical bills, mental health assessments, repair receipts, and lost wages are often used to prove these damages.
These elements form the foundation of any negligence claim. Establishing their presence, however, can be a tricky process. This is where the value of an experienced accident lawyer becomes apparent. Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers can be instrumental in investigating the specifics of the accident and gathering detailed evidence to build a strong claim.
What Compensation Can Bicycle Accident Victims Receive
Economic Damages
- Medical bills – From emergency room visits to ongoing therapy, your accident-related medical bills are recoverable.
- Lost wages – Missed workdays due to injuries translate to lost income, which you deserve to be compensated for. If you suffer from a permanent disability that affects your ability to work in the future, you can also pursue damages for lost earning capacity.
- Damaged property – This compensates for any damage to the bicycle or any other personal items during the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
These go beyond the bills and address the accident’s intangible impact on the victim. These types of damages are relatively subjective and often challenging to quantify.
- Pain and suffering – The physical pain and emotional distress that you experience fall into this category. Expert testimony may be necessary to assess these damages adequately.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – This covers the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures due to physical restrictions, ongoing pain, or psychological trauma.
- Scarring and disfigurement – Permanent physical reminders of the accident can have lasting psychological effects on the victim.
Punitive Damages
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.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Average Settlement For Bicycle Accident Claims In Santa Cruz, California
Getting hurt in a cycling accident can be overwhelming, and figuring out potential compensation adds another layer of uncertainty. While every case is unique, here are some figures to give you a general idea of what you can expect to receive:
- The average payout for bicycle accidents in California hovers around $330,000.
- The median payout typically falls between $25,000 and $40,000.
Statute Of Limitations For Bicycle Injury Claims In Santa Cruz, CA
In California, including Santa Cruz, the statute of limitations for bicycle injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. You have two years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party, such as the driver involved.
Steps To Take After A Bicycle Accident in Santa Cruz
The chaos that follows a bicycle accident can be overwhelming. But whether you have a scraped knee or facing serious injuries, knowing the right steps after a Santa Cruz bike accident is crucial for your claim.
Here’s a quick guide to help you protect your rights.
Prioritize Safety
Stay Calm and Don’t Admit Fault
Emotions run high after an accident, but staying calm and level-headed will help you make sound decisions. Avoid apologizing or taking responsibility, even if you’re unsure of what happened. Stick to the facts and let the investigation unfold.
Seek Immediate Medical Help
Report the Incident
File a police report, even for minor accidents. It creates a legal record and helps strengthen your case if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim later on.
Document Everything
Gather as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. Record the other party’s contact and insurance information, details of the accident, witnesses’ information, and photographs of the scene and your injuries. Keep all paperwork related to the accident, including medical bills, police reports, and insurance documents.
Consult A Lawyer
Get in touch with Santa Cruz lawyers who specialize in bicycle accidents. They can provide valuable guidance, answer any questions you may have, and help with the related legal processes.
FAQs About Santa Cruz Bicycle Accident Claims
Do I Need A Bicycle Accident Attorney, Or Can I Settle On My Own?
After a bicycle accident, you might be tempted to handle the insurance yourself. It’s understandable—saving money and avoiding lengthy legal battles seem appealing. But hold on before you sign on the dotted line. In most cases, having skilled Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers by your side can make a world of difference.
Insurance companies might propose a more substantial settlement, knowing that you’re legally represented. They understand that bicycle accident attorneys in Santa Cruz know the actual worth of your case, and they would prefer to avoid the additional cost and time of a lawsuit that may result from a lowball offer.
What Is My Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on the damages you sustained. The court will take into account your medical bills, lost wages, or any property damage. But remember, the impact of the accident goes beyond economic damages. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages are considered, too.
Even with these factors in mind, the worth of a personal injury case can wildly vary. Differences in jurisdiction, the quality of evidence presented, the negotiating skills of Santa Cruz bicycle accident lawyers, and the specific circumstances of the injury can lead to different outcomes even for similar cases.
Should I Talk To The Insurance Adjuster Before Consulting An Attorney?
Ideally, you should speak to Santa Cruz bicycle attorneys first before discussing your case with an insurance adjuster. An insurance adjuster’s role is primarily to investigate the accident, assess damage, injuries, and liabilities, and ultimately, save the insurance company money. Essentially, they will attempt to minimize any payout you may be entitled to, which can lead to an undervalued settlement offer or possibly none at all.
Clearly, communication with an insurance adjuster can be tricky. While it’s necessary to report your accident promptly, it’s also crucial to be cautious about the information provided. Preliminary conversations with an adjuster can inadvertently lead to misconstrued statements, adversely affecting your claim.
Consulting bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Cruz before speaking with an insurance adjuster gives you a significant advantage. They can guide you through what to share and withhold from the adjuster and how best to convey the information.
What If I'm Partially To Blame?
California follows comparative negligence laws. Comparative negligence is a legal concept used to evaluate the degree of fault among parties involved in an accident. In some situations, the victim might have contributed, albeit inadvertently or minimally, to the circumstances leading to the accident. Other times, multiple parties could share the blame.
Under the rule of pure comparative negligence, your awarded damages will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. For instance, if you suffer $100,000 in damages but are found to be 20% at fault, you’ll receive 80% of the damages, i.e., $80,000.
This law can be challenging to navigate. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Cruz can provide invaluable assistance. We can help you understand your situation in relation to this law and guide you through the claims process. Additionally, we’ll fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Consult With Our Santa Cruz Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today!
At Arash Law, we understand the unique challenges cyclists face after an accident. Medical bills pile up, lost wages impact your finances, and emotional distress adds another layer of burden. You deserve to focus on healing, not battling insurance companies or worrying about compensation.
Navigate the legal terrain with confidence by scheduling a free initial consultation with our experienced Santa Cruz bicycle accident attorneys today. Contact us at (888) 488-1391. We’ve secured over $500 Million in compensation for injured victims, ensuring they get the resources they need to move forward.
We offer our services in Santa Cruz and neighboring areas, including Scotts Valley, Felton, Live Oak, Twin Lakes, Soquel, and Pleasure Point.
