Wasco Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Practice Areas Wasco Lawyers Wasco Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycling has become more and more popular in California in recent years. It’s healthy, cost effective, and easy to do, especially in areas with high traffic and difficult parking. And while many cities have created bike lanes, automobile drivers—including those in Wasco—don’t always respect those dedicated lanes. 

Sadly, many bicycle accidents end in death. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, over 130 bicyclists were killed on California roads in 2019. 

The lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark have lots of experience representing victims of biking accidents. We are dedicated to serving the citizens of Wasco and believe in careful attention to detail. Negligence should not get a free pass. 

Reach out to us today if you or a loved one have been injured in a biking accident. We are here for you. Always make sure your health is in order first, though. That should always be everyone’s top priority. 

Reasons to Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney

Most people think that, if they are hit by a car or truck while riding a bicycle, they will be readily compensated by the at-fault party or their insurance. But that is not usually the case. And bicycle accidents are rarely a simple ordeal. 

Insurance companies will do everything in their power to avoid paying any more than they have to. In fact, they will often try to pay you far less than you deserve. This can happen even if you were following the rules of the road. 

Additionally, sometimes you may be eligible for compensation you wouldn’t normally know to seek. But a thorough accident investigation led by an experienced attorney may uncover that there were multiple negligent parties involved in your accident. For example, your bicycle might have had faulty parts. 

Because bicycle accidents can have life-altering consequences, it is our mission at Chain | Cohn | Clark to fully explore all avenues for compensation, which may come in the form of economic, non-economic, and even punitive damages. 

Free Consultation Attorneys in Wasco, CA

At Chain | Cohn | Clark, your consultation will be both free and private. And you should never feel the need to commit to our firm after our first meeting. Any lawyer that tries to coerce you into paying or working with them after just one meeting should never be hired.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Wasco, CA

A collision between a bicycle and a car is often due to the driver’s negligence. And there are situations when a diver’s poor decision making can cause a cyclist to crash, even without any direct collision between the car and the bicycle.

Listed below are common forms of driver negligence:

• Drivers who intentionally don’t share the road
• Drivers who fail to signal 
• Drivers who open doors in the bicyclist’s direction
• Drivers passing a bicyclist without looking
• Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Drivers ignoring a bicyclist’s right-of-way 
• Drivers who are distracted 
• Drivers who don’t know the rules of the road

Sometimes a bicycle accident can be due to other factors, including:

• Faulty bike parts
• Misaligned bike pathways
• Potholes
• Broken traffic lights
• Poor lighting

Bicycle Accident Compensation

There are three main categories of compensation.

Economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Inability to earn 
• Inability to care for your home
• Destruction of property
• Cost of repairs

Non-economic damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Inability to fully enjoy life 
• Mental health issues
• Loss of consortium (also called loss of companionship)

Punitive damages:

These damages may be awarded to punish an at-fault party for especially outrageous behavior. This type of compensation is more rare than the first two types.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries 

There are many ways in which a bicycle crash can occur in Wasco. Listed below are some common examples:

• Head-on collisions: When a driver crosses into a bike lane with tragic results 
• Rear-end collisions: A cyclist can be struck from behind and thrown forward off their bike
• Sideswipes: This can happen when a driver turns into the bike lane
• Right turns: Right turn accidents occur when a motorist and a cyclist are moving in the same direction
• Left turns: Left turn accidents happen when a motorist turns in front of of a cyclist
• Intersection accidents: These accidents usually occur when the motorist is paying attention to other motor vehicles, not bicycles
• Drunk driving accidents: Unfortunately, the name really says it all
• Failing to yield: Bikes that have the right-of-way may be hit by oncoming cars that don’t realize it
• Distracted driving: Drivers can be preoccupied with talking on the phone, texting, daydreaming, and even turning back to talk to passengers

The above causes can result in the following types of injuries:

• Sprains
• Muscle strains
• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ injuries

If your family member tragically passed away in a bicycle accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Bicycle Accident FAQs

What steps should I take if I’m injured in a bicycle accident?

The first thing you should always do after an accident is to seek medical attention. Sometimes people are unaware of the full extent of their injuries—internal bleeding, for example—after an accident. But remember, no dollar amount is more important than your health.

If you are injured in a bicycle accident, the next thing you should do is to contact your local law enforcement immediately to file a police report. Then, if possible, take as many pictures of the accident scene as you can. If there are any bystanders, get their contact information in case you need to dispute liability later down the road. 

It is also important to note that you shouldn’t further discuss the accident with anyone but your lawyer. It is especially important that you don’t post anything on social media. Anything you say or do can be used against you in a future case.

How long after a bike crash can I file a bicycle accident lawsuit?

The timing for filing a case—also known as the statute of limitations—depends on whether you are filing for yourself or for a loved one.

You have two years from the date of collision to file for personal injury and property damage. 

In the case of wrongful death, you have two years to file from the date of your family member’s death.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the bicycle accident?

In most states, if you had any amount of negligence, your reward will be reduced by a certain percentage. California law calls this “comparative fault.”

According to California Vehicle Code Section 21650.1, “A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder of a highway shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.” 

Insurance companies will try to prove you were at least partially at fault if you violated this code. You still have a case, but we advise you to contact a lawyer at Chain | Cohn | Clark as soon as possible if this is your situation.

Do bicycle accidents require a police report?

After ensuring your health is in order, filing a police report is the first thing you should do. A police report can help guide your case through later disputes and your insurance company will most likely request a copy. You will also need a copy if you or your property have been injured/damaged.

When speaking to the at-fault party, you should always try to obtain the following information:

• Name, phone number, and address
• Date of birth
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Vehicle license plate number

Contact Chain | Cohn | Clark for Help With Your Bicycle Accident Lawsuit

The Wasco bicycle accident lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark are here to represent you when you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a bicycle accident. We have been representing clients in Wasco and the state of California for over 85 years. With our experience and knowledge of personal injury and bicycle law, we will be by your side every step of the way on your path to justice. 

We promise that from the moment you walk through our doors, you will be working with the Wasco bicycle accident lawyers that will handle your case. We dedicate ourselves to personal service so that our clients can focus on recovery.

If you would like to file a claim with help from an experienced bicycle accident attorney, the Wasco lawyers at our firm are here to help! Call us at 661-616-9833 or fill out an online contact form today for a free consultation. We’ll get back to you about your case right away.