Are bicycle accidents common? What should you do if you get injured in a bicycle crash?
As today’s gas prices continue to increase, more and more people are turning to biking as their preferred mode of transportation. Aside from being a practical choice, cycling has also become a popular hobby and sport during this pandemic. Consequently, as our streets accommodate more novice cyclists, so comes the risk of more bicycle accidents as well.
Likewise, dealing with a bicycle accident can become stressful. These accidents usually cause extensive physical injuries to bicyclists because they are unprotected and exposed. You can quickly consult a bicycle accident lawyer who can help you through your case.
Read on to learn more about bicycle accidents and how to deal with them:
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?
You might feel confident because of your impressive cycling skills. However, bicycle accidents can happen even to the most experienced bicyclist. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released information saying these bicycle accidents on US roads cause:
- Almost 1,000 deaths every year
- Nearly 130,000 injuries every year
Also, they shared that bicycle injury and death costs usually go over $23 billion in the United States. These costs include damages for medical care, lost work productivity, quality of life, and lost lives. Bicycle accident victims with catastrophic injuries tend to suffer beyond their injuries. Their effects can extend to families, friends, and other loved ones. If you suffered an injury from a bicycle crash, a bicycle accident lawyer could help you receive the compensation you deserve for your healing and recovery.
Bicycle Accident FAQs and Advice
You might have some questions after getting injured in a bicycle accident. Get common answers to your inquiries here:
What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Under California law, if you are over the age of 18, then you are not required to wear a safety helmet while cycling. Unfortunately, if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of your accident, you can encounter problems with your bicycle accident claim. For instance, the insurance company might argue that your lack of a helmet was a significant cause of your injuries in an accident.
If the judge agrees, you can receive a significant reduction in compensation. However, this isn’t an absolute argument. With that reasoning, then all pedestrians must wear safety gear. An experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer can refute this form of blame-shifting. Learn more about how bicycle accident lawyers can help you here.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer?
After your accident, assuming the driver had insurance, you can expect their insurance company to reach out to you with a settlement offer or a request for information. Sometimes the offer they give is fair. However, they can offer an amount that’s only a fraction of your rightful compensation. Your compensation can include the following:
- All accident-related medical treatments
- Medical support devices
- Repair bills for your bicycle
- The total value of your bike (if destroyed beyond repair)
- Replacement value of bicycle accessories and equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment in activities, such as cycling
- Loss of quality of life (if your injuries permanently affect how you live)
- Permanent disability, whether partial or total
- Scarring and disfigurement
A bicycle accident attorney can speak on your behalf and decide whether the offer is fair under your unique situation. Let a bicycle accident attorney review the details of your case if you haven’t accepted any offers. Learn more about bicycle accident lawyers here.
What if the Driver Who Hit My Bicycle is Uninsured?
You may be covered under your auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage if you have auto insurance. If that is the case, you can make a claim no matter what the insurance company says as long as it’s in your policy. However, any legal professional in Los Angeles will advise you to call an attorney before contacting your insurer. Once you file a bicycle accident claim, there’s a chance that your insurance company will argue the validity of your coverage.
You can also make a second claim against your insurance’s uninsured motorist coverage if the driver’s insurance policy doesn’t cover your damages. However, this needs to be handled by a bicycle accident lawyer to get the correct permissions.
Do you have more questions? You can check for more bicycle accident FAQs here. Also, you can access our FAQs page for other common answers to accident-related questions.
How Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
Any Los Angeles or Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer aims to help you get the highest compensation possible to set you up for a full recovery. Pursuing compensation can be hard to do on your own, especially if you’re dealing with injuries that haven’t fully healed yet. Sometimes, you might need to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
In these hectic situations, a bicycle accident attorney, similar to our team at Jacoby and Meyers, can lighten the burden and help you out. We can help you receive the right treatments for your injury, gather evidence, prove negligence, and link your injury to negligent actions.
In addition, a bicycle accident attorney can help you:
- Prove negligence
- Define the Cost of Damages
- Build a strong claim
- Negotiate a Settlement
- Proceed with important deadlines in mind
Give us a call today at 888-960-0480 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you.