Bicycle accidents in San Leandro happen frequently and result in severe physical injuries and financial losses. Suppose you are injured in a bicycle accident because someone is reckless or negligent. In that case, you might have the right to demand monetary compensation for the life-changing, catastrophic injuries you’ve suffered. 

A San Leandro bicycle accident lawyer can help by working with injured cyclists and their families to negotiate a favorable injury lawsuit. Our law firm begins this process by offering a free case review where our experienced legal team answers your questions in plain, down-to-earth language and explains your options.

We are Autoaccident.com, a personal injury law firm dedicated to helping clients throughout Northern California. You can reach our office in San Leandro by calling (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400 or by contacting us online. 

Our firm has helped numerous clients recover damages from an accident. To right this wrong, we fight tirelessly to recover lost wages, benefits, job perks, and the cost of medical care. At Autoaccident.com, we care about the whole person and seek damages for emotional and psychological harm.

The benefits of hiring a bicycle accident lawyer are numerous. The lawyer will handle your case’s legal aspects, talking to insurance companies on your behalf and negotiating with them, gathering evidence, and representing you in court if necessary. A lawyer with experience handling bicycle accidents in San Leandro can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. They are experienced at combatting and making the right lowball offers by sly insurance adjusters. 

Since your case will not proceed without proof of negligence, a San Leandro bicycle accident lawyer investigates to uncover evidence of liability.  This provides proof of negligence and supports the client’s claim for compensation. Our investigators are immediately dispatched to the accident site. Evidence collected by us also includes:

• Accident reconstruction: This technique places the vehicle before, during, and after the accident. 
• We also obtain video footage from traffic and business cameras.
• The investigators interview witnesses who were at the accident site.
• Police reports are also examined for mistakes since they are widely used in negotiations and court since not all insurers are cooperative and try to lower or deny a claim. 

The most common reasons for bicycle collisions include the following:

• Distracted driving: The driver may be texting, glancing at their GPS, or looking for something in the vehicle. This failure to concentrate on the road causes many bicycle accidents.
• Rear-end accidents: A driver who is speeding may not have the time to avoid rear-ending a bicycle. Accidents that involve rear-end collisions account for 40 percent of bicycle injuries and fatalities.
• Failing to abide by the three-foot distance law: Drivers in California must maintain a three-foot distance from bicycle riders to avoid side-swipe collisions. When the driver fails to do this, a bicycle accident can occur. 
• Backing accidents: Drivers who cross into cyclists’ paths when exiting side streets, alleys, or driveways can cause collisions. Riders are frequently missed by drivers due to their inattention.
• Right-hand turns: The tendency for drivers to ignore bicyclists when making a right turn is common. When a bicyclist approaches a vehicle from the right, the motorist who fails to look for an oncoming cyclist can cause a deadly accident.
• Intersections: Almost half of all bicycle accidents happen at intersections. A lack of bicycle lanes in some areas increases the risk of rider injuries. Additionally, intersection traffic flow is complicated, and cyclists must contend with motorists turning right or cutting into the bike lane.
• Dooring: A bicycle accident that occurs on a busy street is known as a dooring accident. Drivers or passengers opening the door of vehicles parked on the side without first looking for bicyclists could cause catastrophic injuries.
• Hit-and-run drivers: If the motorist leaves the scene of a bicycle accident, do everything you can to identify the vehicle, if possible. This includes remembering at least a few digits or letters on the license plate, the make and model of the car, and any distinguishing features the driver might have. If the fleeing driver cannot be located, ask your San Leandro bicycle accident lawyer about using your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you do not have this non-mandatory add-on policy and a family member does, you can use it without increasing the premium.

Our legal team will fight to protect your right to the following compensation:

• Medical care, including transportation to the hospital, hospital expenses, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and home modifications, among others, can be recovered.
• Loss of wages is recoverable and includes current salary and benefits. It also provides coverage against loss of future wages. 
• Loss of the ability to enjoy life and activities can be compensated.
• Your spouse can also file a loss of consortium linked to the accident.
• Property damage can be recovered.
• Compensation for pain and suffering can be compensated.
• Punitive damages might be available if the negligence involved was especially egregious. 

For assistance in choosing a personal injury lawyer, attorney Ed Smith has created the following video:

In California, you have two years to file a lawsuit if you were injured in a bicycle accident. This period is called the statute of limitations. If you miss filing within this period, your case will not be heard. In addition, when a loved one is killed in a bicycle accident, the family also has two years to file a wrongful death claim.

You must file a claim within six months if the accident was caused by poor road design or other negligence due to a negligent government entity. After this, a series of deadlines must be met to keep the claim viable. Your San Leandro bicycle accident attorney will ensure that all deadlines are met. Claims against government entities are much better handled with a lawyer. 

Sometimes, bicyclists need to take their safety into their own hands. Some of the following ways to do that are:

• Ensure the bicycle’s headlight and rear lights are in good working order. 
• Wear a reflective jacket or put high-visibility tape on the bike.
• Use bright clothing during daylight hours.
• Make sure the bike is in good working order.
• Stay vigilant for reckless drivers.
• Watch for drivers who open their car doors as you approach.

Getting the legal help you need is as easy as calling our San Leandro bicycle accident lawyers at (510) 631-0200. We can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by contacting us online. Selecting a lawyer can be confusing if you’re seeking free and friendly legal advice. We have included a few links you might find helpful. The following links contain examples of how we helped others and client comments: Google, Yelp, and Avvo. You are also welcome to check out our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Photo attribution: by Pexels from Pixabay 

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