Cycling may provide independence, a sense of freedom, health benefits, and physical exercise. However, riding a bicycle may be dangerous due to a cyclist’s lack of physical protection, limited visibility, and sharing the road with motor vehicles. Many injuries from cycling crashes require extensive treatment, which may come at a great expense to an injured bicyclist. In some extreme cases, a cyclist may suffer fatal injuries in a car versus bicycle accident. Innocent cyclists and surviving family members do not deserve to bear the consequences of someone else’s negligence or carelessness.

If you have medical expenses, lost earnings, and other losses due to a cycling crash in Castro Valley, California, call our legal team at AutoAccident.com at (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact our bicycle accident lawyers online by submitting a request for a free consultation.

At AutoAccident.com, we believe everyone should have the right to seek full compensation for their losses if injured or deprived of a loved one due to a vehicle versus bicycle collision. We are committed to helping injured parties and surviving family members obtain the justice and maximum financial recovery they deserve. Moreover, our goal is to make communities and neighborhoods safer for everyone. Do not delay, and contact our legal team today to learn how we can help you with your Castro Valley bicycle accident case. We offer free consultations and are available to take your call anytime.

The insurance carrier for the motorist responsible for the cycling crash will generally cover damages incurred. If the driver who caused the incident does not have liability coverage or minimal limits, it does not necessarily complicate the recovery process. In such circumstances, other options may include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If the cyclist has auto insurance and carries UM and UIM protection, they may be able to file a claim under this coverage. Carrying at least $100,000 and $300,000 in UM/UIM coverage is recommended to have financial security and peace of mind.

Insurers, including yours, are focused on their best interests rather than those of parties injured in crashes caused by negligent parties and entities. Insurance carriers may use defense tactics to devalue a claim of bodily injury or deny it entirely. Therefore, consulting with a Castro Valley bicycle accident lawyer with experience handling these cases and first-party insurance claims is essential. The right attorney will review the matter, evaluate the potential options, and guide an injured party on the best course of action based on the facts and circumstances of the case.

A bicyclist injured in a cycling crash through no fault of their own may file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company to seek non-economic and economic damages. The specific recoverable losses will depend on the facts and circumstances of the matter. In most cases, an injured party may be entitled to reimbursement for pain and suffering, wage loss, medical bills, etc. In situations where the other side’s conduct was particularly egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault party and deter similar actions in the future.

Motorists owe a greater duty of care to children due to their lack of understanding and awareness and their vulnerability and incapability to keep themselves out of harm’s way as adults would. When a driver fails to exercise a greater duty of care to a minor child and causes a cycling crash, they may be liable for damages. Recoverable losses may include:

• Past and future costs of treatment
• Anxiety and emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life
• Scarring and disfigurement

Consulting with an injury lawyer with years of experience handling vehicle versus bicycle collision cases involving juveniles can provide you with the guidance and information needed based on the laws applicable to the case. At AutoAccident.com, our bicycle accident lawyers serving Castro Valley, California, offer free consultations anytime.

If a person suffers fatal injuries in a vehicle versus bicycle accident through no fault of their own, certain relatives may file a case for wrongful death. California law is specific on which surviving family members have grounds for a claim for damages. Individuals who can file a case in civil court, as outlined in CCP 377.60, include:

• A surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children (these parties have priority for filing)
• A surviving parent, putative spouse, or another family member that depended on the deceased for financial support

In the aftermath of injuries or an unimaginable loss in a cycling crash, your family should not have to deal with the consequences alone. Our legal team at AutoAccident.com understands the profound impact these collisions may have on those affected. Our Castro Valley bicycle accident lawyers are here to provide the compassion and legal counsel necessary to obtain justice and full compensation on your behalf. You can entrust your case to us, and we will handle all aspects of the matter:

• Investigate the specific circumstances of the cycling crash, determine how it occurred, and who should be held liable for the losses incurred
• Examine evidence obtained throughout the discovery process, such as physical evidence from the crash site, witness statements, video surveillance footage, traffic incident reports, medical records, etc.
• Work with expert witnesses who can provide their insight into the matter, calculate what economic and non-economic damages may be worth, and build the strongest case possible
• Handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company representing the at-fault party or your own through uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

As a bicyclist injured in a traffic collision, you deserve every opportunity to obtain the full financial recovery you need. Our team of California personal injury lawyers is here to make that happen. Here at AutoAccident.com, we offer free consultations and operate on contingency. Working with our law office is never a cost unless we obtain a successful result in your case. Reach out to us to arrange a free case evaluation today. Before calling, watch the video below for more details about our services.

What is the value of a personal injury claim for a bicycle accident?

Each story of a vehicle versus bicycle collision is unique. Therefore, the facts and circumstances of the incident will ultimately dictate what a case is worth. Some critical considerations in the claim’s value include the claimant’s age, education, health, occupation, and severity of accident-related injuries. Other factors to consider include diminished earning potential from permanent injury, if any pre-existing medical conditions were aggravated due to the cycling crash, if comparative fault contributed to the incident, and if a claimant’s quality of life has changed since the crash.

How can comparative fault affect the value of a cycling crash claim?

The motorist that struck a bicyclist and their insurer may not hesitate to pinpoint fault on the injured party. The other side may assert that the cyclist was not wearing bright, reflective clothing or using a flashlight if the collision occurred at night. They may also dispute reported injuries and claim they are unrelated to the incident. In other scenarios, the other party may argue that the bicyclist was not following the road rules or that their lack of helmet use exacerbated their head injuries. Retaining legal counsel immediately is the best way to protect yourself from these unfair defense tactics.

Contact our legal team at AutoAccident.com if you were injured or lost a loved one in a cycling crash in Castro Valley. Our California bicycle accident attorneys can help you obtain justice and full compensation from all at-fault parties and insurance companies. When you work with our legal team, you will benefit from decades of experience. Call (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400 to speak with a skilled attorney and receive free, friendly advice on your potential case. Our history of case verdicts and settlements is a testament to our commitment to client success.

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