One careless moment for a driver can result in life-changing injuries for a bicyclist. These collisions can result in expensive medical costs and damages that follow the cyclist for months, years or a lifetime.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our accident lawyers in San Bernardino can help you hold those at fault for your injuries accountable. We are highly experienced attorneys who are dedicated to pursuing justice for the injured in California. Contact us now to discuss your bicycle accident case for free.
Why Choose Our San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
- Our San Bernardino injury lawyers have more than 50 years of experience in personal injury law. We helped shape the personal injury category of law as we know it today in California back in 1972.
- We have collected more than $2 billion in settlements for our clients. Your San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer will work hard to maximize your case results as much as possible.
- We have earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients over the years. Our attorneys are experts in serious automotive accident cases, including bicycle accidents and truck accidents in San Bernardino.
- There will be no fees unless we win your San Bernardino bicycle accident case. Our San Bernardino bike accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis for the financial protection of our clients.
The Benefits of Hiring a San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Attorney
Handling the legal side of a bicycle accident case can feel overwhelming, especially as you also navigate a serious injury and medical care. Hiring an attorney to represent you can make all the difference.
A San Bernardino bicycle accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine who is at fault and who may be held liable, or financially and legally responsible, for your injuries and related bills. Then, your lawyer can file your claim before California’s deadline and deal with insurance companies for you.
An attorney has connections to bicycle accident experts, investigators and local courts to help you establish a strong injury claim. A lawyer can advocate for you in and out of the courtroom to maximize your financial recovery. In the meantime, you can focus on healing.
Common Injuries in San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Cases
A lack of protection for bicyclists in San Bernardino accidents means that injuries suffered by cyclists are often severe. Bike accident injuries can lead to long-term physical and emotional damage, as well as required medical care, such as ongoing therapy and rehabilitation.
Common types of injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Internal injuries and damage to organs
- Lacerations, road rash and scarring
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Bicycle accidents can put victims in the hospital, resulting in expensive medical bills on top of other damages. It is important to seek professional medical care after a bike accident, even if you initially feel fine. You may experience hidden or delayed injury symptoms.
In some cases, injuries sustained in bicycle accident may be fatal. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal bike crash, contact our experienced wrongful death attorneys in San Bernardino for legal guidance.
Injured in a Bike Crash?
Let Our San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Attorneys Help You Pursue Justice
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in San Bernardino, CA
In 2023, 53 cyclists in San Bernardino were seriously injured and killed in accidents, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Bike and pedestrian collisions involving cars are almost always related to driver negligence, or the failure to act with proper care.
Common causes include:
- Driver inattention and distraction
- Cell phone use while driving
- Driving while impaired
- Driver fatigue
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Dangerous left-hand and right-hand turns
- Dooring
- Road hazards and defects
Negligence does not always mean breaking traffic laws. Even if a driver didn’t violate a law, they can still be held liable for your losses if their actions caused your bicycle accident.
Recovering Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in San Bernardino
Evidence that someone else caused or contributed to your bicycle accident in San Bernardino can make you eligible for financial compensation for your losses from that person’s insurance company.
All drivers in California are required to carry liability insurance (30/60/15 coverage) to pay for collisions they cause. You can access this coverage as an injured cyclist if you can prove that the driver is at fault for your wreck.
The burden of proof is “based on a preponderance of the evidence,” or more likely to be true than not true. Common types of evidence to prove negligence in a bike accident case are police reports, witness statements, photos, videos and expert testimony.
Types of Damages Available in San Bernardino Bike Claim
Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for a San Bernardino bicycle accident can help you retrieve the financial compensation you need to pay for your related bills, both now and in the future. You may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages from one or more defendants.
Available types of compensation often include:
- Present and future hospital bills
- Lost income and capacity to earn a living
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering (including emotional injuries)
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be awarded if a defendant is guilty of gross negligence, recklessness or malice. If a driver collided with a cyclist while intoxicated, for example, this could warrant punitive damages to punish the defendant for egregious wrongdoing. Discuss the true value of your claim with our attorneys before you accept a quick insurance settlement.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Bike Accident Claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have no more than two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a related personal injury lawsuit. This is the statute of limitations on most personal injury cases in California, although there are some exceptions.
If you experience the delayed discovery of your injuries after a bike accident, such as a concussion with latent symptoms, you will have two years from the date of reasonable injury discovery to file. Circumstances such as an injured minor, out-of-state defendant, incapacitation, wrongful death or governmental liability can also alter your filing deadline.
Always contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a bicycle accident in San Bernardino to discuss your rights. If your statute of limitations expires, you will most likely lose the right to pursue financial compensation.
Contact Our San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
At Jacoby & Meyers, we believe every injured bicyclist deserves justice. For over 50 years, our law firm’s mission has been to provide accident victims in California with access to high-quality legal and medical services in order to maximize their physical, financial and emotional recoveries.
As your San Bernardino bicycle accident attorneys, we will fight for your rights and for the case results you deserve. For a free initial case evaluation at our local law firm, contact us online or call us directly at (909) 245-8920 24/7. Jacoby & Meyers: because you deserve justice.