Paceline Bicycle Injury Lawyer helps those that are hurt in California bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, you’re especially vulnerable to head injuries when you ride your bike, even if you wear a helmet. More than almost any other type of injury, head injuries can cause serious changes to your life. Contact us for a free consultation to find out more about your options.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
You don’t technically need a lawyer if you’re in a bicycle accident. But in bicycle accidents that leave you with head injuries, a unique approach is usually needed. While minor accidents may not require our legal help, the reality is that a head injury is almost always more severe–thus needing more legal help and support.
My team has extensive experience in helping with responsibilities like:
- Identifying who’s at fault
- Gathering medical records
- Reconstructing accidents
- Working with experts
- Negotiating with insurers
- Managing the legal process
Our goal is to simplify the process and provide you or your family with the necessary patience and support as you try to heal.
What Kind of Head Injuries Can Happen in Bicycle Accidents?
One of the most difficult things about any head injury after a bicycle accident is that it can result in a number of different injuries, each with its own symptoms and consequences. Worse, even minor bicycle accidents can result in these injuries.
Another major difference is that a head injury is very hard to diagnose, and usually requires extensive medical treatment and analysis from specialists to even understand the gravity of it.
In terms of the type of head injuries that can happen in a bike accident, you can expect any or multiple of the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Brain bruising
- Hemorrhages
- Nerve injuries
Given the seriousness of these injuries, a few things become critical. First and foremost, you need to take certain steps to protect your health and claim. From there, the legal process–specifically your damages–are going to be very important to any recovery you’re able to make.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident With a Head Injury?
When you’re dealing with head injuries after a bicycle accident, figuring out how much damage you’ve actually suffered can be overwhelming, especially right after the accident.
But like any bicycle accident, it’s crucial to show how much you’ve been impacted to strengthen your case. Here’s what you can do:
- Get medical help first – Your main priority should be getting medical attention. If you can, get help from paramedics at the accident scene to stabilize your condition. Then, make sure you see a doctor or go to urgent care for further treatment.
- Report the accident – Call the police or sheriff’s office to report the accident. This is not only required in many cases but also helps clear the accident scene and creates an important report with details about what actually happened.
- Collect evidence – If you can, gather evidence at the scene. Take pictures, videos, and note down important information about the accident so you can give an accurate account later on.
- Stick to your treatment plan – Follow the plan your doctor and specialists give you to help you get better.
- Keep track of everything – Keep good records of anything related to the accident and your injury, like medical bills, treatment plans, and any communication with insurance companies.
These steps are crucial no matter what kind of head injury you have. But because these injuries can make things more challenging, our team is here to assist and help gather all the important details.
What Damages are Available for Head Injuries in Bicycle Accidents?
As you’ve probably gathered, dealing with a head injury can bring about significant consequences. Besides physical issues, the toll on your mental and emotional well-being is considerable. Another big worry is the high medical costs associated with them, which can last the rest of your life.
The law takes this into account when providing you access to financial support, or “damages.” However, it’s up to you to show the extent and degree of loss you’ve experienced. Still, whether you decide to file an insurance claim or go to a full on lawsuit, you can potentially recover:
- Medical expenses – These are all the bills you’ve had or will have to pay for medical care, like hospital stays, surgeries, therapies, and any equipment you need.
- Lost wages – This includes the money you couldn’t earn because of the injury, including benefits and what you might have made in the future.
- Emotional distress – These are the feelings of anxiety, sadness, or other emotional difficulties caused by the injury.
- Property damage – This covers the cost of fixing or replacing things you own that were damaged.
- Ongoing care expenses – These are the costs for things like nursing help or changes you need to make to your home because of the injury.
- Pain and suffering – This is financial support for the physical pain and mental strain caused by the injury.
- Loss of quality of life – This is financial support for not being able to do the things you enjoyed before you got hurt.
- Loss of companionship – This helps with the strain on relationships with family or partners, which can be tough when you have a head injury.
- Wrongful death expenses – These are the costs for funerals and burials if the injury leads to death.
Again, these damages are going to be extremely important for your recovery, but also goes a long way to address the myriad of other challenges you and your family are facing with your head injury. Still, it’s important to understand that every case is different. One of the most important aspects of your case is figuring out who’s responsible for these damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages?
Even though a head injury is very significant, it doesn’t change the overall legal process. Like any other accident, there is somebody (or multiple people) that will have to pay for your damages. This is known as “liability”, and can fall on numerous people depending on the circumstances of the bicycle accident.
In most cases, though, liable parties include:
- Drivers who take negligent actions, like speeding or driving drunk
- Bicycle manufacturers that make faulty bikes or equipment manufacturers that put out faulty products
- Local or state government agencies that don’t take care of the road or use proper signage
- Other bicyclists that don’t take proper care when riding and cause your accident
Determining who’s at fault in a bicycle accident requires a thorough investigation and careful examination of all the facts. This is where my team’s experience and resources can come into play. We know how to look into bike accidents and figure out everyone who’s responsible for paying for your damages so you can get what you’re owed.
Guidance For Victims of Head Injuries in California Bicycle Accidents
Going through life after a bicycle accident can feel overwhelming, particularly after a head injury. At Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer, my team is committed to standing by your side during this challenging time. We will stand up for your rights and make sure you have all the resources necessary for your recovery. To learn more about how we can give you the proper legal guidance after a head injury, contact us today for a free consultation.
