Experienced Fresno Bicycle Injury Accident Lawyer
Fresno Bicycle Injury Accident Attorney
Find out why we have some of the best personal injury lawyers in Fresno
Have You Recently Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
If you’ve been injured, you deserve justice and fair compensation for your pain and suffering. Let Goldberg & Loren fight for you and help you navigate the legal process, so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today for a free consultation and take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
Common Types of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can occur in various forms, presenting risks to cyclists on the road. Common types of bicycle accidents include:
- Intersection Accidents: These accidents typically happen at intersections, where a cyclist and a motor vehicle collide due to failure to yield, running red lights, or not obeying traffic signals.
- Road Hazards: Cyclists can be involved in accidents due to dangerous road conditions or hazards such as potholes, uneven surfaces, loose gravel, or debris on the road.
- Sidewalk Collisions: Accidents can occur when a cyclist riding on the sidewalk collides with a pedestrian or an object such as a pole or a tree.
- Right Hook Accidents: This type of accident occurs when a cyclist is attempting to go straight through an intersection, and a vehicle turns right without properly checking or yielding, cutting off the cyclist's path.
- Left Cross Accidents: In this scenario, a cyclist is hit by a vehicle making a left turn at an intersection, failing to yield the right-of-way to the cyclist coming from the opposite direction.
- Overtaking Collisions: When a vehicle attempts to pass a cyclist without enough space or leaves insufficient clearance, it may collide with the cyclist, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year. [1]
Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Fresno
Bicycle accidents can occur due to various common causes, including:
- Driver Negligence: This includes actions such as distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield to cyclists.
- Dooring: When parked car occupants fail to check for approaching cyclists before opening their doors, it can lead to serious accidents. Cyclists can collide with open doors and be thrown off their bikes.
- Poor Road Conditions: Cyclists face hazards such as potholes, debris, loose gravel, and uneven road surfaces. Poorly maintained roads can contribute to bike accidents, leading to loss of control and crashes.
- Aggressive Driving or Cycling: Aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating, honking, or aggressive overtaking, can escalate situations and lead to accidents between cyclists and motorists.
Common Injuries from a Bicycle Accident
Injuries from a bicycle accident can range from minor to severe, some injuries include:
- Head Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries, are a significant risk in bicycle accidents.
- Broken Bones: Cyclists often suffer from fractures, particularly in the wrists, arms, collarbones, and legs, as these areas are vulnerable to impact in a fall or collision.
- Road Rash: When a cyclist is thrown from their bike, they can sustain road rash, which refers to abrasions and lacerations caused by contact with the pavement.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Accidents that involve significant impact or force can result in spinal injuries, ranging from sprains and strains to more severe injuries like herniated discs or spinal cord injuries.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Ligament sprains, muscle strains, and contusions (bruises) are common soft tissue injuries sustained in bicycle accidents.
- Facial Injuries: Cyclists may suffer facial injuries in accidents, including fractures of the nose, cheekbones, or jaw, as well as cuts, bruises, or dental damage.
- Internal Injuries: The blunt force trauma of a bicycle accident can cause internal injuries like organ damage, internal bleeding, or damage to blood vessels.
- Psychological Trauma: Bicycle accidents can also result in emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or phobias related to cycling or the accident itself.
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Damages from a Bicycle Accident in Fresno
In the aftermath of a bicycle accident, individuals may be entitled to seek various types of damages, including compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: You may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses related to your injuries, including hospital bills, doctor's visits, medication costs, rehabilitation, therapy, and any necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries from the bicycle accident caused you to miss work or resulted in a decreased earning capacity, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages and any potential future loss of income.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages, such as pain, physical suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life, may also be pursued in a bicycle accident claim. These damages aim to compensate for the intangible harm you have experienced due to the accident.
- Property Damage: If your bicycle was damaged or destroyed in the accident, you may be entitled to reimbursement or compensation for its repair or replacement.
- Rehabilitation and Disability: In cases where the bicycle accident results in long-term or permanent disabilities that require ongoing medical care, therapy, or assistance, you may be able to seek damages for rehabilitation expenses and disability accommodations.
- Loss of Consortium: If your injuries have had a significant impact on your marital relationship or ability to enjoy companionship with your spouse, your spouse may be able to seek damages for loss of consortium.
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle accident, it is important to take immediate action to ensure safety and protect legal rights. Here are some suggestions:
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is still advisable to seek medical attention to assess and document any injuries.
- Stay at the Scene: Unless it is necessary for your safety to move from the scene, remain at the accident location until authorities arrive. Leaving the scene can potentially create legal complications.
- Contact the Authorities: Call the police or relevant local authorities to report the accident. They will create an accident report that can serve as crucial evidence when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action later.
- Gather Information: This includes the names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers of any drivers, as well as any witnesses present. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bicycle or other vehicles involved.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the accident. Provide them with accurate and detailed information about what happened.
- Preserve Evidence: Preserve any evidence related to the accident. This includes keeping copies of medical bills, police reports, correspondence with insurance companies, and any other relevant documents.
- Consult Our Attorney: If you suffered significant injuries or believe the accident was caused by someone else's negligence, it may be beneficial to consult with our personal injury attorney. We can assess your case, protect your rights, and guide you through the legal process, helping you pursue any available compensation.
Statute Of Limitations on Personal Injury Lawsuits
The Statute of Limitations for bicycle injury cases in Fresno, California is typically two years from the date of the accident or injury.
Failure to file your claim within the specified timeframe may result in being unable to seek compensation. This implies that even if there is a strong case with supporting evidence for your claim, the court may dismiss it solely based on the fact that it was filed after the statute of limitations has expired.
Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations may apply in certain cases. In some cases, if the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the two-year timeframe may not begin until they turn 18. Contact our dedicated personal injury lawyers in Fresno to inquire about the time limit that will apply to your specific situation.
Bicycle Injury Lawyer Goldberg & Loren
With our extensive knowledge and expertise in personal injury law, we have successfully fought for countless clients and obtained maximum compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering.
Our bicycle accident attorneys take the time to understand the specific circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case tailored to our client’s needs.
Goldberg & Loren’s personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our extensive network of experts, including accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals, allows us to present a compelling case that stands up against even the toughest opposition.
Goldberg & Loren personal injury law firm provides that peace of mind, empowering our clients to focus on their recovery while our firm fights for justice.
Source:
[1] Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html
We fight hard for our clients who have suffered an injury in a bicycle accident in Fresno, California. Our personal injury lawyers fight for maximum compensation.
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