Injured in a bike accident? Here’s how you can obtain financial compensation for your damages.

Throughout the United States, bicycle accidents are on the rise. According to a report published by the NHTSA, Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety, traffic accidents involving cyclists have been increasing since the year 2009. Unfortunately, bicycle accident rates are worse in California. A recent article by U.S. News states that bike accident fatalities have hit a 25-year high in the state. While there are a wide-range of factors that could lead to bike accidents, a vast majority of accidents are caused by another’s negligence.

Based on the personal injury laws of California, when a person is injured as a result of another’s negligence, the injured victim has a right to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party through a personal injury claim. Like many other personal injury claims, bike accident claims require proving the defendant’s negligence (or intentional wrongdoing) has caused the injuries. Although negligence is a concept that can be easily understood, proving it requires in-depth legal knowledge.

Obtain a No-Obligation Consultation With an Award-Winning Personal Injury Attorney

Attorney Justin H. King is a preeminent litigator who has established a reputation of successfully advocating on behalf of injured victims of negligence. For many years, Attorney King has helped bicycle accident survivors obtain the financial compensation they needed to get their lives back on track. If you were injured in a bike accident, taking immediate action will incredibly help you build a strong case. Obtain a complimentary consultation with Attorney Justin H. King to get started on your case today.

Essential Elements of a Strong Bicycle Accident Case

Establishing negligence in a personal injury claim for a bicycle accident, required proving the following elements:

The Driver Owed a Duty of Care

In California, every driver has a duty to operate the vehicle in a responsible manner. Drivers are obligated to obey traffic laws and avoid causing preventable accidents.

The Driver Breached His/Her Duty of Care

Once it has been established that the driver owed the victim a duty of care, it must then be established that the driver violated the duty. In a bicycle accident, a breach in the duty of care could be anything the driver did that was either negligent, intentional, or was a blatant disregard for human life. This can include the following violations of traffic laws: Driving too fast for weather conditions, Failure to yield to bike riders, Driving while distracted, Driving while sleep-deprived, or Driving while intoxicated.

The Violation in Duty of Care Resulted in the Cyclist’s Injuries

Successful personal injury cases in California must also demonstrate that the breach of duty of care led to the victim’s injuries and damages. Depending on the case, this can involve the following: Hospital bills, Prescription medications, Loss of income and benefits, Loss of future earnings, Loss of quality of life, and Pain and suffering.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicycle accidents are unique accidents that result in different injuries than other types of traffic accidents. Bicycle enthusiasts regularly face a myriad of risks that others on the road typically do not, such as overexposure to the road and other elements. When a cyclist is struck by a moving vehicle, the injuries can be devastating.

The following are some of the most catastrophic injuries that can affect cyclists for a lifetime: Traumatic head injuries, Neurological damage, Facial injuries, Internal injuries Ruptured discs, Bone fractures, and Spine injuries.

Aside from physical injuries, bicycle accident survivors can also develop emotional trauma that can manifest in a variety of ways. Depending on the severity of the trauma, a survivor can develop debilitating disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A mental health fact sheet on PTSD published by the University of North Dakota reports that PTSD can be extremely debilitating, and it can result in the following symptoms: Nightmares, Flashback episodes, Depression, Sleep disturbances, Outbursts of anger, Anxiety, and Emotional numbness.

Recovery After a Bicycle Accident

All bicycle accidents can be serious, as even a minor accident can put a victim through considerable amounts of pain and suffering. Fortunately, a bicycle accident claim filed against the at-fault driver can provide a sense of comfort when the accident has resulted in mounting medical bills, disability, and emotional trauma.

Taking the following steps will ensure the personal injury case has the best opportunity at being successful: File a police report and obtain a report for records, Seek immediate medical attention and safeguard all medical records, Obtain nearby surveillance footage of the accident, Take pictures of the damages of the bicycle and vehicle involved, Take pictures of the accident scene, Obtain witness reports and their contact information, Exchange contact information with the at-fault driver, including insurance information, and Contact a well-practiced personal injury attorney.

Financial Compensation is Available With the Support of a Proficient Personal Injury Litigator

Sadly, bicycle accidents are on the rise in the State of California. When a car collides with a cyclist, the injuries inflicted on the injured rider can be disastrous, and they have the potential to affect the rider for the rest of his or her life. Bicycle injury cases are not like most personal injury cases. The legal system as well as the insurance industry can be very unforgiving, as they are generally biased against bike riders. When a bicycle accident results in injury, it is necessary to contact the legal support of a proficient litigator who understands the laws surrounding bicycle accidents.

Attorney Justin H. King has many years of dedicated service in the field of bicycle accidents in Southern California. His representation is focused on assisting cyclists recover the financial compensation they deserve after a negligent accident. Attorney King will conduct an immediate investigation of the incident, and ensure all potentially liable parties are held responsible for their negligence. After a bicycle accident, ensure your case has the best opportunity at being successful and contact the support of a preeminent attorney right away. Consider calling Attorney Justin H. King today at (909) 297-5001 to receive a complimentary consultation.

Categories : Bike Accident

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By Justin H. King, Esq. | Posted on December 13, 2020

Melinda Jordan

09:02 18 Dec 22

I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.

Marjorie Harris

04:14 18 Dec 22

After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.

Sheila Hughes

03:45 18 Dec 22

I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.

Margaret James

04:43 01 Dec 22

Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.

Wm Holland

06:13 17 Nov 22

When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.