Do I Need to Hire Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyers? ~ Central Valley Accident Lawyers

Consider the following benefits to better understand how legal representation can specifically benefit bicycle accident claims.

Experience Navigating Bicycle Accident Cases

When sharing the roads with motor vehicles traveling at rates of at least 35 mph in Fresno, the risk of serious injury increases to a substantial 50% for bike riders and pedestrians in the event of a collision.

Bicycle accidents can cause both minor injuries and severe injuries with varying damages. Typically, any suffered damages should be fairly compensated. However, insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts regardless of fairness.

This is why legal representation is essential.

An experienced Fresno bicycle accident attorney can handle difficult insurance adjusters and fight for maximum compensation on behalf of clients.

To confirm an attorney’s qualifications, researching online reviews and legal directories, alongside seeking testimonials from past clients, is recommended. This helps secure the most suitable legal representation for California’s bicycle injury laws.

Recover Various Types of Damages for Bicycle Accidents

A skilled Fresno bicycle accident lawyer plays a crucial role in maximizing compensation for clients. This process involves closely evaluating the case, meticulously calculating all forms of loss, and efficiently filing the personal injury claim.

Recoverable losses encompass more than current medical bills and bicycle repairs. Instead, they may consist of two distinct categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages, with a clear monetary value, typically include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and all property damage.

Conversely, non-economic damages do not include a fixed value and compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of enjoyment of life.

Ultimately, Fresno bicycle accident attorneys strive to recover the full spectrum of damages that every injured cyclist is entitled to.

Accessibility to the Top Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorney

Every bicycle accident attorney employs different fee structures. Some bill hourly, while others utilize a contingency fee arrangement. While neither approach is inherently “best,” contingency fees make professional legal counsel affordable and accessible.

Under a contingency agreement, clients incur no upfront costs and only pay a fee if the case successfully results in a settlement. This eliminates financial risk and allows access to legal representation without the fear of financial burden.

Every individual possesses different preferences, so some payment structures will hold more appeal than others. Some other common billing arrangements include fixed fees, hourly fees, and retainer fees.

It’s crucial to inquire about specific billing practices, before agreeing to hire a bicycle accident law firm. Understanding the lawyer’s fee structure and discussing payment terms before signing an agreement will avoid unexpected costs.

Court Representation if Trial Is Necessary

When seeking legal representation, prioritizing a bicycle accident attorney with trial experience is crucial. This provides additional avenues for securing optimal compensation in a bicycle accident case.

Should an insurance company offer an inadequate settlement, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can file a lawsuit and present the case before a judge and jury.

Also, cases that go through litigation can be very costly to insurance companies. As a result, filing a bicycle accident lawsuit incentivizes a favorable settlement outside of court, rather than enduring lengthy court proceedings.

Furthermore, courtroom experience equips attorneys with the necessary leverage to negotiate maximum compensation and prepare cases for multiple scenarios, keeping clients’ rights protected.

Anytime bicycle riders are involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, even a low-speed crash can have devastating injuries. The most common types of bicycle accident injuries include the following:

Fractured or dislocated jaw: This can cause significant pain, difficulty eating and speaking, and require extensive medical intervention.
Broken nose: This painful injury can lead to breathing difficulties, sinus problems, and potential cosmetic concerns.
Dental injuries: Chipped, fractured, or lost teeth are common consequences of facial impact and can necessitate costly dental treatment.
Eye damage: Injuries to the eyes, including vision loss, can occur from debris or direct impact and require immediate medical treatment.
Nerve damage: Facial nerve damage can cause numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the affected area, potentially leading to long-term complications.
Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause the brain to collide with the skull. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe damage, potentially resulting in permanent cognitive impairment.
Back injuries: This can include strains, pinched nerves, and herniated discs, causing pain that persists for months, years, or even a lifetime.
Broken bones: A broken bone throughout the body can require surgery, casts, medication, physical therapy, and can also lead to chronic pain and long-term limitations.
Disfigurement: Significant scarring and lacerations can result in permanent scarring, not only affecting physical appearance, but it can also create an emotional impact.

Wrongful Death

Bicycle accidents causing fatal injuries are considered wrongful deaths. A surviving family may pursue a wrongful death claim, seeking to hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages comparable to those in a personal injury claim had the victim survived.

Bicyclists, like car drivers, do have a responsibility to ride with caution and follow traffic laws. Some of these bicycle accident laws include:

Using the bike lanes when traveling slower than traffic
The bike lane does not need to be utilized, and the rider may ride outside of it
Riders under 18 years of age must wear a helmet
Headphones covering both ears cannot be worn when riding
It is illegal to ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Because California is a "fault state," operating under a "comparative negligence" system, both the injured bicyclist and at-fault car driver can share responsibility for a bike accident.

Therefore, injured cyclists can still seek compensation from the at-fault driver, even if they were partially responsible for the accident. However, the amount of compensation awarded will be reduced based on the cyclist's percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury finds the bicyclist 20% at fault and awards $10,000 in damages, the bicyclist would receive $8,000.

The sooner a bicycle accident lawyer is contacted, the stronger the case will be. This allows a legal team ample time to investigate the bike crash, gather evidence, and build a compelling case.

Most importantly, there is a very limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim in California. The statute of limitations permits bicycle accident victims two years to file a bike accident claim for compensation.

It is strongly recommended to begin the claims process as soon as possible, as evidence can disappear with time. Additionally, eyewitnesses' recollections are more accurate closer to the accident, and memory fades with time, compromising detail accuracy.

Bike accidents involving a fatality, government entity, or minors will have varying timeframes to file. A Fresno bicycle accident lawyer can address the statute of limitations and other legal concerns.

Fresno bicycle accidents face unique challenges in comparison to other personal injury cases. This is because injured bicycle riders can suffer more serious injuries and are even blamed for causing the collision.

With a 99% success rate, the experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Central Valley Accident Lawyers in Fresno, CA are equipped to deal with these challenges and other obstacles. Our legal team can assist with the following:

Establish fault by investigating the bike accident
Gathering substantial evidence that supports the bike accident claim
Evaluate and estimate the case’s value
Aggressively negotiate with the insurance company
Ensuring necessary health care is available

Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so payment for our legal services is only requested if the bicycle accident case is won. To learn how much your case is worth, schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney from our firm today.

CALL NOW

Do I Need to Hire Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyers?