Fort Bragg, California, is a quaint town with many beautiful coastal trails. Ten Mile Beach Trail, known to locals as MacKerricher Haul Road Trail, is popular for bicyclists. The trail takes riders from the Pacific coastline across an environmentally unique sand dune area near downtown Fort Bragg to the Ten Mile River.

Unfortunately, there is a serious risk of getting hit by a motor vehicle in and around Fort Bragg. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries while riding your bicycle in Fort Bragg, call one of our experienced Fort Bragg bicycle accident lawyers at (707) 564-1900 for a free consultation.

Bicyclists have the same legal rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, according to California Vehicle Code Section 21200. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realize this and act recklessly and aggressively when encountering bicyclists.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that the driver is at fault for most motor vehicle and bicycle collisions.

Collisions between bicyclists and motorists can happen in various circumstances. However, some of the most common scenarios include:

• The driver was texting and driving.
• The motorist was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The driver failed to stop at a red light or stop sign.
• The motorist opens their car door into the path of an oncoming rider.
• The driver made a sharp turn into the path of an oncoming bicyclist.

When a cyclist is hit by a vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic due to the lack of protection. Even if the bicyclist survives the accident, their injuries can cause long-term complications.

Some of the most severe injuries we might see in a bicycle accident in Fort Bragg include:

• Amputation
• Dislocated joints
• Elbow fracture
• Hand fracture
• Nerve damage
• Neck injury
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Tibia fracture
• Torn ligaments
• Traumatic brain injury

After a severe accident with a motorist, you will likely need to recuperate from significant bodily injuries. Dealing with an auto insurance adjuster should be the last thing on your mind. It is essential to understand that the insurance company is not working in your best interest and doesn’t care about your well-being. They are focused on paying the minimum on your personal injury claim. That’s why retaining a Fort Bragg bicycle accident attorney is beneficial. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance carrier while you focus on your recovery.

Your bicycle accident attorney will help you get compensation for the damages you’ve suffered after a bicycle accident. Your lawyer will investigate the accident alongside an investigative team. They will examine the accident site, speak to witnesses, use accident reconstruction techniques, and, in some cases, get surveillance video of the collision. Once all the evidence is gathered, the attorney will build a strong case against the at-fault party. Your attorney will also negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation.

Your injury attorney will file a claim seeking reimbursement for financial and emotional damages you’ve suffered in the accident, including:

• lost wages
• medical expenses
• pain and suffering

Your lawyer can also assess your insurance coverage to see what could be recovered through your injury claim. For instance, if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident and the driver is never found, your lawyer can file a claim under your auto insurance policy through the uninsured motorist coverage.

California has a statute of limitations when filing a personal injury claim. You only have a limited time to take legal action against the motorist who hit you. The statute of limitations to file a legal claim against the at-fault party is two years from the accident date. If the accident was caused by a government agency, the period is much shorter. For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer.

When a crash occurs between a bike and a motor vehicle, the cyclist is most likely to suffer injuries. If you or a family member has been severely injured in a bicycle accident involving a negligent driver, please call our experienced Fort Bragg bicycle accident lawyers today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.13.23] Image by Michelle Lucas from Pixabay cha [cs 769] bw}