Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer represents anyone that’s been injured in a Northern California bicycle accident. My firm can help you through the legal process to make sure you get what you’re owed from whoever is responsible. If you or someone you care about has been in a pedestrian bicycle accident, contact us today to set up a free consultation to discuss the next steps.
Should You Work With My Firm?
What sets any bicycle accident apart from others are the potential injuries, and the more injured you are, the more important your potential financial recovery becomes. In these accidents, you can expect injuries like:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and bruising
Like any other bicycle accident, you aren’t actually required to have a lawyer if your accident was caused by a pedestrian. At the same time, because these circumstances are somewhat unique, my firm could be beneficial to you. Here’s how we can help:
- Investigating what happened and what actually caused the accident
- Figuring out liability
- Helping you with insurance and medical claims
- Gathering evidence and witness statements
- Explaining your options
- Making the overall process easier on you
What any bicycle accident–really any accident–brings is uncertainty. You may be facing multiple injuries, or they could be only minor. Whether you need to work with our team depends on your needs, and it’s your needs that dictate how we approach your case.
What Should You Do After These Accidents?
After your bike accident, it’s really important to know what to do next. However, this is easier said than done. The biggest issue you’re probably facing is injuries, so you’re hurt and not able to think clearly. With that said, it’s the actions you take in the immediate aftermath of your accident that can have an impact on how your potential claim plays out. That’s why you should do everything you can to:
- Get medical help – It’s super important to see a doctor as soon as you can. They’ll check you over, make a plan to treat any injuries, and write down what happened in your medical records.
- Get contact and insurance information – Make sure to get the names, phone numbers, and insurance details from everyone involved in the accident. This information will be really useful if you need to make a claim or ask for help paying for any damage or injuries.
- Start gathering evidence – Take photos or videos of the accident scene and any damage to your bike. Having these pictures can show exactly what happened during the accident.
- Don’t say it was your fault – Try not to admit that you caused the accident. Figuring out who’s to blame can be tricky, and our team knows how to handle that.
- Don’t apologize – Avoid saying sorry, because it might seem like you’re admitting you did something wrong, which could hurt your case.
Like other aspects of your case, the circumstances of your accident are going to dictate what you need to do. These steps will make sure that your health and safety are taken care of, but a big question you’ll need to answer is who is responsible. Even in a pedestrian-bike accident, this isn’t always straightforward.
Liability in Pedestrian-Bicycle Accidents
Usually, the thing you have to watch out for while you’re out biking in Northern California is drivers in cars. While it’s true that most bike accidents involve vehicles, there’s always the possibility that a pedestrian could cause the accident. Typically, this happens when the pedestrian:
- Unexpected movements – Suddenly stepping into the bike lane or crossing the road without looking for oncoming cyclists can lead to collisions.
- Distracted behavior – Texting or talking on a phone, conversation, or other distraction can cause pedestrians to unintentionally veer into the path of a cyclist.
- Ignoring traffic signals – Disregarding traffic lights or pedestrian signals can put pedestrians in conflict with cyclists who have the right of way.
- Low visibility – Walking at night or in poorly lit areas without reflective clothing or accessories can make it hard for cyclists to see pedestrians, increasing the risk of collisions.
- Poor infrastructure – Leaving objects like bags, scooters, or other items in the bike lane can force cyclists to swerve suddenly, potentially causing accidents.
In these cases, it’s likely that the person that was walking will be the one that’s primarily liable for your damages because of their negligence. That said, depending on the circumstances, others can share some of the liability:
- Local or state government
- Construction companies or workers
- Drivers
- Other bicyclists
Regardless of who is ultimately responsible, it’s vital that you understand what your options are. In California, the law says that you can file an injury claim against all the responsible parties in an accident, which means the more parties that are involved, the more damages you can seek.
Damages in a Claim
Bicycle accidents, no matter where or how they occur in Northern California, typically result in injuries and damages. The extent of these damages varies case by case and depends on the impact of the accident. They are typically evaluated based on the following factors:
- Medical expenses – A big part of your damages will be for the costs of medical treatment and care resulting from the accident.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy – These damages cover any expenses for therapy and rehabilitation aimed at aiding recovery.
- Lost wages or future income – These damages cover you for any income lost due to the accident and potential future earnings impacted by the incident.
- Pain and suffering – These damages are for both physical and emotional pain endured as a result of the accident.
- Loss of quality of life – These damages relate to any reduction in the overall quality of your life resulting from the accident.
- Costs related to permanent injury – These are pretty self-explanatory, they cover expenses associated with permanent changes in your appearance or abilities due to the accident.
- Loss of companionship – These damages address the emotional and personal impact of significant relationships affected or ended by the accident, such as the loss of companionship, love, and support.
Recovering from a bicycle accident in Northern California can be a daunting journey. Our team takes pride in not only assisting with the claims process but also helping you overcome the obstacles that may affect your health and stability. The best way to address your damages is to work with our team to fully go after your legal options.
Contact Our Northern California Bicycle Accident Team Today
Bicycle accidents can be unfortunate, despite the joy of cycling in a beautiful place like Northern California. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian-bicycle accident, my team at Paceline Law Bicycle Injury Lawyer will be there to help. We’re dedicated to handling your claim and providing essential legal support to get you back to full health. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your options.
