A cyclist has little protection against motor vehicles, and when a collision occurs, the resulting injuries may be catastrophic. Traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, internal trauma, and wrongful death are all potential outcomes of a bicycle accident in Turlock, CA. While personal injury laws in California are set to protect bicycle riders from harm’s way, negligent drivers often overlook or ignore these rules. When a cycling crash occurs, a bicycle rider should never go through an overwhelming emotional and physical experience alone. Medical expenses lost wages, and pain and suffering from a bike collision only compound the situation and emphasize the need for legal assistance.

At AutoAccident.com, our personal injury attorneys have represented the best interests of cyclists injured by negligent drivers in Turlock since 1982. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, contact our law firm for free, friendly legal advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 today.

Since 1982, our Turlock bike accident attorneys have defended the rights of cyclists in Stanislaus County and throughout California. We know how devastating it is to suffer catastrophic injuries or lose a loved one in a bicycle accident. That is why our injury lawyers use their experience, skills, and resources to help you and your family seek justice and fair compensation from insurance companies representing negligent parties. Consult with an attorney from our bicycle accident law firm today to learn which legal options for recovery may be available in your case.

Drivers of motor vehicles all too often injure children and adults riding bicycles by:

• Driving too close to a bicycle lane
• Failing to stop at traffic signals and stop signs
• Not looking for bicycle riders on the road before it is too late to avoid a collision
• Opening the door of a car in the path of a cyclist
• Operating a vehicle above the posted speed limit or too fast for weather or traffic conditions

When cyclists are hurt in bike crashes, it is essential to determine how the incident occurred and who caused it. Some of the potential at-fault parties in a bicycle accident include:

• Negligent drivers of passenger cars, commercial trucks, municipal or private buses, or other vehicles
• Property owners if the cycling crash was caused by a dangerous condition on public or private property
• Negligent manufacturers of bicycles or motor vehicles if the collision was the result of a faulty part on either the motor vehicle or bike
• The state, county, or city for the failure to properly design, construct, and maintain the road

Four elements of negligence must be satisfied to bring a successful personal injury claim for a bike crash. These include:

• Duty of Care: Did the driver involved in the bicycle accident be obliged to exercise due care toward the cyclist?
• Breach of Duty of Care: Did the motorist breach that obligation through negligence?
• Proximate Cause: Were the driver’s actions directly caused the cyclist’s injuries?
• Damages: Did the motorist’s negligence result in personal injury damages to the cyclist recognized by California law?

The burden of proof falls on the cyclist injured in the crash. If a cyclist is found partially at fault for the incident, they may receive a reduced personal injury settlement based on their share of responsibility for the collision. Proving liability under California law is not straightforward, even if it seems clear that the driver was clearly at fault for the injuries and damages the cyclist suffered. Watch the video below for details on other factors that may affect the value of an injury case for a bicycle accident.

The state of California operates under a system of comparative fault. Under this law, the compensation an injured cyclist or plaintiff would otherwise receive in a bodily injury claim would be reduced by the percentage of negligence assigned to them. For instance, if a cyclist is found 20 percent responsible for causing their injuries in a bike accident and is awarded $50,000 in financial compensation, they would only be able to receive $40,000 due to California’s comparative negligence laws applied in their case.

Auto insurance carriers are well aware of comparative negligence laws in California and will not hesitate to use them to their advantage. Insurance companies will seek evidence suggesting a cyclist shares some liability in a bicycle accident.

Because of California’s comparative fault law, cyclists should let an experienced Turlock bicycle accident lawyer handle their bodily injury claim. Even if the insurance company representing the negligent party claims the cyclist was partially at fault for their injuries and damages, an experienced accident attorney can dispute such allegations and use resources to compile compelling evidence in the claimant’s favor.

Insurance companies do not have the best interests of injured cyclists at heart. That is why retaining an experienced attorney early in the bicycle accident injury claims process is essential. An injury lawyer can help overcome defense tactics used by insurers to reduce the value of a cycling crash case or deny it altogether. If you decide to work with our team of Turlock bicycle accident attorneys at AutoAccident.com, we will use our experience, skills, and resources handling personal injury claims to:

• Evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding your bicycle accident injury claim during a free, confidential consultation.
• Provide you an honest assessment of your potential options for financial compensation.
• Dispute allegations from the insurance company representing the at-fault party or your own if they claim you were partially or entirely responsible for your injuries and damages
• File a lawsuit within California’s two-year statute of limitations if the insurer cannot reach a mutual settlement agreement.
• Take the bicycle accident case to court to have a judge or jury decide on a fair verdict.

Remember that the insurance company is focused on protecting its bottom line. Insurance carriers hire trained professionals to settle your cycling crash injury claim for the lowest amount possible or deny it altogether.

Do not fall for their defense tactics and let an experienced Turlock bicycle accident attorney from our law firm obtain the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury lawyers are available anytime to provide free, friendly case advice.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 6.9.23] Image by skeeze from Pixabay ds [cs 1115] cha}