Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer helps bicycle accident victims in Lafayette or the East Bay area. One of the most common reasons for a bike accident is a turning vehicle. If you’re involved in such an accident, we’re here to help. Contact my firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Turning Accident?
While hiring a lawyer for a bicycle accident in Lafayette isn’t always necessary, it depends on your situation. Minor accidents with minor injuries may not require legal help. However, serious accidents with turning vehicles can, unfortunately, result in significant injuries. That’s when you usually need legal help.
Managing a claim on your own, especially if you’re seriously injured, can be overwhelming. Besides focusing on your recovery, you’ll have to deal with paperwork and insurance companies. That’s where we can help. We will help explain your options, gather evidence, handle paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies, and if necessary, file a lawsuit for you.
Bicycle accidents often involve significant medical care, including possible surgery and physical therapy. Juggling your recovery with dealing with insurance can be tough. Let us handle the legal side so you can focus on getting better.
Who’s Responsible For a Turning Accident?
After a turning bicycle accident, the first step is figuring out who is at-fault. This is crucial because it determines who will cover your injuries and losses. Typically, the driver who hit you is mostly responsible. However, other people and parties could also share some the liability, depending on the situation:
- Another driver, if multiple vehicles were involved,
- Passengers or pedestrians, if their negligence contributed to the accident.
- Parts makers, if a defective part caused the crash.
- Bike makers, if a defect in your bike played a role.
- Local governments, if poor road conditions caused to the accident.
To protect yourself, always wear a helmet and other safety gear while biking. Additionally, stay prepared and alert while riding. If you are in an accident, though, it’s important to know what legal options you have.
What Legal Options Do You Have After a Turning Accident?
In the event of a turning accident in Lafayette or the East Bay, the legal process is similar to that of other accidents. What sets your case apart are the specific facts and circumstances unique to your situation. However, the general procedure includes two main starting points:
- Filing an insurance claim – This is less formal and involves requesting your costs directly from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Filing a lawsuit – This is more formal and involves taking legal action in court to seek damages.
Both methods aim to recover “damages” for your injuries, including:
- Medical expenses – This covers immediate medical bills such as hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency care, as well as ongoing expenses like physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatments or aids required due to your injuries.
- Lost wages – This category of damages covers wages you miss while recovering and addresses potential future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work long-term or require a career change.
- Pain and suffering – These damages provide support for both physical and emotional distress. This covers the physical pain and discomfort from the accident and recovery, as well as the emotional and psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues resulting from the incident.
- Property damage – This covers any repair or replacement costs for your bike or any other pieces of personal property that were damaged in the accident, like your phone or other equipment.
- Loss of quality of life – These address how the accident affects your ability to enjoy daily activities and your overall lifestyle. It covers difficulties in performing routine tasks, participating in hobbies, and enjoying social interactions due to the accident’s impact.
- Wrongful death – These damages are available in a “wrongful death” claim, which is filed when the accident results in death. This includes the costs of funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, and related expenses such as memorial services.
Like any claim, you have to file within California’s statute of limitations. This means you have to file your claim within two years of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to file a claim, no matter how strong it is.
What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Injury Claim After a Turning Accident?
Even if you’re an experienced bike rider, you never know when a turning accident can strike in Lafayette. With so many drivers on the road, this unfortunately opens you up to various scenarios where these accidents can happen. So then, it’s vital to be prepared and understand what you need to do to strengthen a potential claim:
- Call 911 for an ambulance – Check for injuries and call 911 for medical help immediately. You can use ambulance services at the scene or go to an emergency room or urgent care if you can move. This will take care of your health and tie your injuries to the accident.
- Report the accident to police – At the same time, have 911 tell the Lafayette Police Department or the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office to report what happened. While the police report isn’t used in court, it’s important for your insurance claim.
- Exchange information – If you can, exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver. If they leave, tell the police and report the incident.
- Start collecting evidence – If you’re able to, take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Note any factors that led to the crash, including details about the driver and their vehicle. This evidence will be the basis of your claim.
Avoiding a turning accident is ideal, but if it happens, these steps will help protect your rights and support your claim. But remember, even if you know what to do and what to expect, a turning accident can happen quickly.
Why Do Bicycle Turning Accidents Happen?
There are two main types of bicycle accidents involving turning vehicles: left-turn and right-turn accidents. In both cases, if you’re a bicyclist, you can expect to be injured. But it can help to look at why these accidents happen:
- Driver error – Drivers may not see you when turning or misjudge your speed and distance.
- Blind spots – Vehicles have blind spots that can hide you from the driver’s view.
- Poor visibility – Bad weather, low light, or obstructions can make it hard for drivers to see you on your bike.
- Speeding – Drivers going too fast may not have enough time to react to you.
All of these factors lead to turning accidents, but every accident is unique. At the same time, being involved in a bicycle turning accident can be incredibly frustrating. You’re left dealing with injuries such as fractures, road rash, or head trauma, which might have been avoided if the driver had been more careful. With my team on your side, we can help you hold the driver and any other responsible parties accountable.
Contact Paceline Law After a Turning Bicycle Accident in Lafayette or East Bay
If you’re involved in a turning bicycle accident, Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer is here for you. We have extensive experience helping clients injured in these accidents. We will find out who is at fault, negotiate with their insurance company, and offer the legal support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to begin your claim.
