Call Us: Injuries From a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accidents are a severe problem in California, and several laws are in place currently to make sure that bicyclists do not suffer severe injuries or fatalities from a collision with a vehicle.
There are around 150 bicycle accident fatalities that occur in California each year. The Office of Traffic Safety in California is currently trying to put several different preventative measures in place, such as raising awareness about bicyclists’ rights and increasing bike lanes in low-income and high-risk populations.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a bicycle accident, give our California bicycle accident personal injury attorneys a call to discuss how you could get compensated for your injuries. Our bicycle accident attorneys know just what it takes to make sure that our clients get financial compensation. Compensation depends on the severity of your bicycle accident injuries.
The value of your bicycle accident is dependent on several factors, including:
- the severity of your injuries
- whether you sought any medical care
- the medical treatments used to treat your injuries
- the cost of the medical treatments
- whether you need future medical care
- the prescription medication that you need for your injuries
- any medical equipment that you need for your injuries
- the time you spent out of work
- whether you can return to work
- the negligent parties responsible
- where the accident occurred
All of the factors above affect your bicycle accident lawsuit or claim. For more information, and to discuss your specific accident, recommend that you speak to our bicycle accident attorneys at Megeredchian Law through our free case evaluation.
Our accident attorneys are essentially risk-free, which means that we offer free case evaluations. A case evaluation is a meeting with our experienced attorneys where you can get to know our attorneys and discuss the details of your case. You then have the opportunity to decide whether you would like to hire our attorneys.
Our attorneys have a successful track record of holding negligent parties accountable. We also fight against insurance companies so you get the compensation you need for your injuries and medical expenses. Besides medical expenses, you could also recover property damage from your bicycle.
What are the most common types of injuries associated with a bicycle accident?
Head Injuries
Head injuries are the most common type of injuries associated with bicyclists. In California, it is required that all bicyclists wear a helmet to prevent any head injuries in the event of a collision with an object or vehicle. Head injuries are caused by concussions, and could lead to permanent lifelong care that the victim will need. A traumatic brain injury is a very severe type of head injury that could affect a person’s cognitive thinking and senses. Those who suffer a traumatic brain injury will never be the same again and will require extensive medical treatment, along with at-home care. Other types of head injuries include internal bleeding and brain damage. After a bicycle accident in California, you should call 911 immediately and have your injuries evaluated. Internal bleeding in the brain is usually not felt, and only imaging may reveal any brain damage. Examples of symptoms that could follow an accident that indicate head injuries include dizziness, nausea, memory problems, difficulty speaking, difficulty remembering, vertigo, and migraines.
Back Injuries
Back injuries and spinal cord injuries are also very common since a bicyclist may fall off their bike and onto their back. Spinal cord injuries result from nerve damage or broken bones in the spinal cord. The spinal cord is responsible for all types of movement in the body, and any injuries to the spinal cord could result in breathing problems, nerve damage, and loss of bladder and bowel control.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries could result in facial disfigurement. This is usually a common injury for bicyclists that may fall and fly off their bikes. When their face comes into contact with the pavement, they most likely may suffer a broken jaw, lacerations that may require stitches, and scarring in the long run.
Fractures
Bicyclists could also suffer from fractures at the collarbone, wrist, pelvis, hips, and femur. Unfortunately, fractures like these could require months of healing. If the bone does not hear properly, medical intervention may be needed. Fractures could also prevent bodily movement and may cause paralysis or nerve damage.
Bicycle Accidents And Pain And Suffering
Bicycle accident victims could also recover from pain and suffering, which takes into account the emotional trauma associated with their injuries. For example, an accident victim who has suffered facial disfigurement could also suffer from depression and low self-confidence. This type of trauma is recoverable from the negligent party.
Who is responsible for my bicycle accident injury?
To determine the party that is responsible for your bicycle accident injuries, you should have a highly qualified attorney investigate the circumstances of your accident. An attorney will be able to better look into the accident and narrow down who the liable parties may be. Examples of responsible parties could include:
- Drivers on the road: this is usually the case when a driver does not see the motorcyclist and collides with the motorcyclist.
- Pedestrians on the road: sometimes pedestrians may cause an accident if they are walking in the middle of the road where they shouldn’t be.
- Government entities: if the bicyclists suffered an accident because the road was uneven, they may hold the government entity responsible. The government entity that owns and controls the roads has a responsibility to make sure that all roads are safe.
- Product manufacturer: a bike manufacturer could be held responsible for causing the accident if the bike had a defect. This defect is known as a product liability lawsuit.
Bicycle Accident Fatalities In California
A fatality is also a potential possibility after a bicycle accident in California. When a bicyclist is hit with such a high impact and high rate of speed from a vehicle, they could die on the spot. Other bicyclists may pass away from their injuries caused by the accident. If you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident in california, our attorneys at Megeredchian Law can help you through the process of getting financial recovery on your loved one’s behalf.
This is known as a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim holds negligent parties accountable even though the accident victim has passed away. For more information on how you could recover wrongful death damages, give our attorneys a call.
We know that after a bicycle accident, the victim and the loved ones could suffer extensively. Not only could a bicycle accident lead to physical injuries and permanent disabilities, but also the financial hardship could be extensive. This is where our attorneys come in. We want to make sure that our clients get top-rated help right away. We work hard so our clients can focus on themselves and their injuries.
We are available online, through the phone, and even do hospital visits. Give us a call today to discuss your specific case through a free case evaluation.
Although you may not need an attorney, having a qualified attorney on your side will ease the process tremendously as our attorneys work aggressively to make sure that you get the settlement or judgment that you deserve.