The individual or parties responsible for the bicycle accident may be held financially accountable. Therefore, in California, an accident victim may seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
If you got injuries while riding in California, you can receive compensation for:
When a bike accident involves a motor vehicle, you should consult an attorney before dealing with the driver's insurance company. The insurance company will generally want to settle the claim for as low as possible. However, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,000 bikers were murdered and over 467,000 were injured in the United States in 2015. In 2010, fatal and non-fatal bike accidents cost $10 billion in productivity losses and lifetime medical expenditures. 1 Bicyclist fatalities in the United States increased by 16% between 2010 and 2012. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), California has the greatest number of bicycle deaths. In California, there were 338 bicycle deaths involving motor vehicles between 2010 and 2012.
Even skilled bikers can get a bike injury if they ride a bike. Several variables may increase the risk of cycling injury or death for some persons, including:
Sex: Males are six times more likely than females to die and four times more likely to get injuries when riding a bike. Age: Adults aged 50 to 59 have the highest risk of bicycle fatalities. Children and teenagers (5 to 19 years old) had the greatest risk of nonfatal bike accidents. Alcohol: A motorist or rider under the influence of alcohol was in more than one-third of all fatal bike accidents. Time of Day: The great majority of fatal bike incidents happened between 4 and 8 p.m. Helmet Use: While wearing a helmet may not prevent bike accidents, it can help avoid head injuries or brain damage. The absence of a helmet is a key factor in death or serious injury in bike accidents. California is the most populous state in the United States. Urban regions, particularly in Southern California and the Bay Area, enjoy mild year-round temperatures, making riding popular all year. Bike commuters, competitive racers, and recreational bikers are all included. Because of the state's heavy traffic, bicycling is an appealing alternative means of transportation for those who wish to avoid waiting in traffic on their way to work. Many locations in the state's metropolitan districts are constructed around vehicles, leaving bikers vulnerable. All these factors enhance the likelihood of a bike accident in California. It is worth noting that Bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles under Vehicle Code 21200.
Following a motorcycle collision, the most crucial thing to do is seek medical treatment if necessary. If you are hurt, dial 9-1-1. Many bike accidents result in head, neck, or back injuries. Therefore, doctors should examine these injuries. You may feel good after the crash but awaken the next day in excruciating pain. It is preferable to be safe than sorry and see a doctor to ensure that your injuries are not more serious than they look.
You should try to collect as much information about the accident as possible, including:
Your safety is important, and should remain your top priority. Therefore, if the other motorist is refusing to cooperate, is intoxicated, or is attempting to flee the scene, you should just contact the police. The majority of individuals carry their smartphones with them. So it's a good idea to photograph or videotape the accident site and document the car details. Also you should photograph your bike and any injuries as well.
Please call KAASS LAW if you have any concerns concerning bike accident lawsuits in California or would want to discuss your case privately with one of our experienced California personal injury attorneys. Also, you can visit our website for other practices.