Many bicyclists are seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 857 bicyclists were killed in accidents in 2018 alone. Between 2007 and 2013, the California Department of Public Health reports that 87,845 bicyclists were injured in traffic accidents in California.
Unlike passenger vehicle occupants, bicyclists do not have a steel frame surrounding them to absorb some of the physical forces released in accidents. This exposure makes bicyclists especially vulnerable and places them at a greater risk of suffering severe injuries or deaths in bicycle collisions. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a bicycle collision, a bicycle accident lawyer Sylmar at the Valley Accident Lawyers might help you to recover compensation to pay for your losses.
Lawyers such as those who work for Sylmar Valley Accident Attorneys know how to get fair compensation for their clients who have incurred financial or physical injuries during accidents.
Why you might need a bicycle accident lawyer Sylmar
Insurance companies commonly dispute the liability of their insureds and attempt to blame bicyclists for causing their accidents. To recover damages for the losses that you have sustained in your bicycle accident, you will need to present evidence that clearly shows the liability of the motorist for your accident and injuries. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you to file your bicycle accident claim and to build a strong case of liability against the driver who was responsible. Attorneys might understand the types of defenses that insurance companies commonly raise and work to effectively counter them. By building a strong case for you, an attorney might convince the insurance company that it is in the company’s best interests to settle with you for a fair amount rather than risk a trial.
Duties of cyclists and motorists in California
In California, cyclists and motor vehicle drivers have certain duties and responsibilities when they are traveling on the roads. Like motorists, bicyclists are expected to adhere to the state traffic laws. Motorists are required to allow enough distance between their vehicles and bicyclists around them. When they overtake bicyclists to pass, they are supposed to keep a fair distance between them and try to move into an adjacent lane.
Motorists must drive with reasonable caution and to watch for others on the road around them. When motorists plan to turn right, they are supposed to slow down and allow bicyclists to cross the intersection before they do so. They should also avoid cutting off bicyclists. When motorists are parked along the roadsides, they should check for bicyclists before they open their doors to avoid dooring accidents. Drivers are also supposed to follow all of the traffic laws when they are driving. When they fail to do so, they can cause serious bicycle accidents.
Common bicycle accident causes
Distracted driving has increasingly become the cause of many bicycle collisions. Drivers who are distracted by their smartphones, radios, tablets, or other devices may fail to see cyclists around them. They might turn into a bicyclist or in front of one, pull out of driveways without checking for cyclists, follow bicyclists too closely, or run through traffic lights or stop signs. These types of actions can cause serious bicycle accidents and injuries or fatalities. Following a motor vehicle versus bicycle collision, bicyclists might suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, extremities injuries, road rash, and numerous other types of severe injuries.
Damages in a bicycle accident
The damages in a bicycle accident claim will depend on the extent and severity of the injuries, the resulting losses, and the facts and circumstances of what occurred. Plaintiffs may be able to recover the following types of damages:
- Past and future expected medical costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Property losses
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death claims
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
Contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer
If you have suffered serious injuries or have lost your loved one in a bicycle accident in Sylmar, you may be entitled to recover damages for your losses. Contact the Valley Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation by calling us at 818.565.6600.
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If you or a loved one has been injured, you will want a top rated San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney that understands how to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Our pledge is to be your partner, and provide passionate, yet skillful legal representation needed to win your case. Contact our highly trained personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
