Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in California
Bicycling can be an inexpensive and convenient way to get where you need to go. But unfortunately, it can also be dangerous.
A bicycle doesn’t provide the operator with the same level of protection as a passenger vehicle. So, an accident between a bicycle and a motor vehicle can be very serious for the cyclist.
Bicycle accidents can result in very serious injuries. These injuries often lead to high medical bills, lost time at work, lasting pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and sometimes, permanent disabilities.
Dealing with the consequences of a bicycle accident can be difficult. So, you want to hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to help recover the compensation for all your harms and losses.
Compensation For a Bicycle Accident in California
If you have been injured while riding a bicycle in California, compensation for your injuries and losses can come from various sources. First, if you have an auto insurance policy, and the policy includes medical payments, that policy may cover you even if you were injured while on a bicycle, instead of in your car.
If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, you can recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you. Even if you do have medical payment coverage, you may still need to file a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you if the insurance company refuses to pay you fair compensation for your injuries.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Bicycle Accident in California
In most bicycle accident cases, the key question is who is at fault for the accident. This is the same as it is with an accident between two motor vehicles.
California uses a comparative fault model, meaning that a jury hears the evidence and assigns a percentage of fault to each party in the case. Any monetary award you receive for your injuries and other losses will be reduced by your own percentage of fault for the accident.
Although a bicyclist will typically suffer worse injuries than the driver of the passenger vehicle that hit them, it does not mean that a jury will automatically find the driver at fault. Instead, the jury will consider all the evidence, and then determine if either the bicyclist or the driver failed to use reasonable care and was negligent.
An experienced California bicycle accident lawyer can examine all the evidence and help you present your case to the insurance company or jury.
What To Do If You Have Been Involved in a Bicycle Accident in California
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident in California, contact our law firm as soon as possible at (562) 901-4664 or visit our contact page to arrange a free consultation. Our experienced California personal injury lawyer will assess your case and answer your questions.
We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. This can be very helpful especially if you have been seriously injured and cannot work or afford an attorney. This type of fee structure allows people who would normally not be able to pay an hourly fee for an attorney receive representation.
Christopher Montes de Oca is an experienced personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Chris is recognized as a “Super Lawyer Rising Star,” a recognition that only 2.5 percent of lawyers receive, because of the exceptional results he has seen and his dedication to his clients. Chris services clients throughout Los Angeles, including Echo Park, Maywood, Long Beach, Whittier, Glendale, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights, and Alhambra. Call him today for a free consultation at (562) 901-4664.