On roads that allow bicycles to share the street with vehicles, the risk of accidents increases and the potentially fatal results rise as well. It is important that both those who ride bicycles and those who constantly share the road with cyclists acquaint themselves with the laws regarding bikes so as to avoid accidents as best they can. Too many people ride their bicycles on the street without adequate preparation, and as a result, they may be harmed in crashes. Those who have been involved in accidents may be able to receive financial compensation for their damages. Our team of experienced lawyers at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm in Hanford can help you file a bike accident lawsuit if you have been injured. Our clients often come to us with questions about the legal process and what they can do to ensure they will receive ample settlements. Examples of these questions include:
- Who are the best Hanford bicycle accident attorneys?
- Where can I find California bike accident attorneys?
- Which Hanford law firm should I call about m bicycle accident?
Bicycle Safety Tips for Hanford Residents
Those who ride bicycles in Hanford should be aware of ways to stay safe while on the road. There is no amount of preparation and preventative care that can be taken that would be considered excessive. Your safety is of paramount importance, and if you do not take it seriously, you could end up severely wounded. Those who drive vehicles often do not familiarize themselves with the many nuances that bicyclist’s do; their concern is usually in not hitting a person on a bicycle.
You can stay safe while riding if you adhere to some of these helpful tips:
Only ride a bicycle that can be considered safe for the roads. This means your bike should be properly sized (small bicycles like BMX bikes may keep you low to the ground and have other equipment on them, like pegs, that can cause accidents) so you are clearly visible to other drivers.
Do not ride your bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or any medication. You may have decreased reaction time and will have poor coordination, meaning you can swerve without thinking and can hit a car. It is also best to avoid riding while tired. Often, you will see a car in your path or hear it coming before the driver sees you, and if you are not alert, you may be involved in an accident.
Wear protective gear that will cover your sensitive areas. A helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, durable boots, and thick clothing can help you sustain less damage if you are thrown from the bike. Additionally, if you ride at nighttime, you should invest in reflective clothing and equipment for your bike. Flashing lights or reflective pieces that you can attach to your pedals will allow you to be clearly visible to other cars on the road.
Follow road laws as if you were a driver. You should not assume that you can behave differently merely because you are on a bicycle and have a bike lane; you still should signal that you are changing lanes or pulling over, stop at any stop signs or traffic lights, and not ignore the proper right of way laws.
Sometimes, failing to follow these tips can result in accidents. Although fault on the behalf of the bicyclist is possible, more often than not, accidents happen because drivers are not paying adequate attention. Other common causes of bicycle accidents include drivers turning into cyclists that were in their blind spots, drivers opening their doors without checking to make sure no riders are coming up alongside them, drivers riding too close to cyclists who are on the road and clipping them with side view mirrors, and more.
If you find yourself injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligent actions of another drive, contact a bike accident attorney in Hanford today for more assistance.
Steps to Take After a Bike Accident
Bike accidents can be debilitating. Cars often weigh thousands of pounds, and being struck while on an unprotected bicycle can be enough to severely or permanently damage you. In the heat of the moment, many individuals panic and do not know what to do. It is important to remain calm and assess the situation.
First and foremost, you should check your body for immediate or apparent damages. Some injuries do not show up until later due to the adrenaline that prevents you from feeling too much pain, but if you are able to properly function, you will be in a better state. You should seek medical attention regardless, however, as you may have internal damage or a concussion.
Next, you should contact the authorities to file a police report. You may also ask all involved parties and witnesses for their input so you have ample evidence to file a claim. You should have the insurance information of the driver who hit you, statements from people who saw the accident, and photographs of any injuries you sustained in the crash.
Lastly, you should reach out to a Hanford attorney with experience in bicycle accidents to take legal action. It can be very difficult to file a lawsuit yourself; insurance agents will often outright deny your claim and will not agree that you deserve the compensation you are asking for. An attorney in Hanford can make sure you receive the settlement you deserve.
Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims
A bicycle accident lawyer in Hanford can help you receive adequate compensation in the event of a bike accident. You may be able to file a personal injury claim if you can prove the four points of negligence required. These points include showing that you were owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, that the breach resulted in an accident, and that the accident caused you actual physical harm. An attorney can assist you. However, if all of these points are fulfilled, your earnings may include:
- Coverage for medical bills and expenses, including ambulatory transportation, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and more. You can also be covered for additional future medical procedures.
- Reimbursement of lost wages from both the past and the future. Your injury or recovery time may require you to spend time away from work, and the responsible party can cover the days you missed or will miss at work.
- Property damage, or anything you own that was damaged or broken in the accident. Your bike may have gotten mangled and you require a new one to get around, or your personal items that you carry with you, such as a laptop, cell phone and other electronics, may have been destroyed.
- Pain and suffering, which are noneconomic damages that do not have dollar values visible to them. These damages include psychological trauma, mental scarring, emotional damage, fear, anxiety, PTSD, and more.
- Punitive damages, which are additional forms of monetary compensation handed out in the event of gross negligence or an intent to cause harm. Only one of our experienced Hanford lawyers will be able to win them for you as many courts view them as excessive or unnecessary.
Talk to a Hanford lawyer today for more help.
Normandie Law Firm’s Role
Our team of attorneys at Normandie Law Firm is here to make sure you are properly covered and adequately taken care f after your bike accident. We are an empathetic team of lawyers and we will sit with you throughout your injury. We place your health and safety first, and we want to make sure you are comfortable while we pursue your compensation. We will tirelessly work to negotiate with the responsible driver’s insurance company, and if all else fails, we will aggressively seek your settlement in court.
Call our law firm for a free legal consultation today. You can ask any questions you want about the legal process and the chances of compensation for your particular case. We can inform you as to the statute of limitations (2 years) and what you can expect if you move forward with legal action. Additionally, we offer you a zero fee guarantee when you let us represent you. This means that you pay no out of pocket expenses for our services, from start to finish. Our fees are covered only if we win your case, and the money comes from the settlement we win for you. If we lose, then you owe us nothing at all.
Contact Normandie Law Firm today for more assistance in filing a bicycle accident lawsuit.
