Maison Law is an advocate for safe bicycle rides for all Delano bicyclists and we represent them when they are injured by the carelessness of local drivers. Our bicycle accident lawyers are committed to helping victims secure the support they need to fully recover. Schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with a real lawyer to find out what you should demand from an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider.
Do I need a Lawyer after a Bicycle Crash?
If your accident results in a serious injury and a reckless driver is to blame, you should talk over your case with a skilled Delano bicycle accident lawyer. Insurance companies will look for ways to blame you for what happened. They’ll also try to limit the support you receive by downplaying how badly you are hurt.
Your lawyer is your protection against this type of treatment. Your lawyer collects evidence and files your injury claim for you. Your lawyer also protects you during settlement negotiations to make sure you and your family receive everything required to pay hospital and physical therapy bills. Having a lawyer represent your case can mean you take home much more in compensation. And there are no upfront costs to hire a lawyer. Your Maison Law representative isn’t paid unless you win your case. Then our fee comes out of the insurance settlement you receive.
Bicycle Accident Dangers in Delano
Bicyclists can stretch their legs on some local trails or on Class II bike lanes around some schools in the area. Some bicyclists will be looking for exercise or heading to work along busy streets like Cecil Avenue where they’ll have to ride alongside the rush of traffic.
Riders have every right to those lanes, but some drivers either don’t know the law or simply aren’t concerned for cyclist safety.
Speeding drivers and motorists looking at cellphones can veer over on cyclists or turn in front of them to cause a devastating crash. Riders can suffer broken bones in a collision with the car, and then an impact with the road surface. They may even be left vulnerable to getting run over by other vehicles and suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Cyclists suffer life-threatening injuries and could require weeks and months of hospital care and physical therapy. That’s not to mention the time they’ll need to wait to be able to ride again. A skilled Maison Law attorney makes sure injured cyclists are backed for every recovery cost for as long as necessary. Your lawyer also handles the frustrating claims process and settlement check negotiations, while giving you time to focus on getting better.
What Should I Do After Getting Hit on a Bike?
Bicycle accidents often leave victims with traumatic injuries and in a fight for their lives. But if you feel strong enough to get up, and the scene is secure, you’ll want to start collecting evidence as soon as possible.
It’s critical to get your accident documented and visually recorded. If you must go to the emergency room, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to gather details for you. Your lawyer will use this evidence to force an auto insurer to pay the maximum in compensation available.
Focus on collecting this evidence if possible:
- Call 911 and get a Delano Police or California Highway Patrol response. Give a full account to dispatchers and police. Let an ambulance crew check you out completely. Go to the hospital if you need to.
- Take photos. Document the scene. Show vehicle and bike damage, and damage to your clothing. Get pictures of any visible injuries. Show bike lane markings and traffic signs that were ignored by the driver.
- Jot down the addresses of businesses or homes nearby that might have security cameras that recorded your accident.
- Find out what witnesses saw and find out how your lawyer can contact them later.
- Exchange information with at-fault drivers but don’t make any statements about the accident to them. Insurance companies can use these statements against you later. If a driver is working for a trucking company, a delivery company, or a rideshare try to get an employee number.
- See your own doctor in the days to come. Note any pain you didn’t feel on the scene but then noticed the next day. Get everything documented. See specialists if you are advised to.
- Keep your damaged bike. Don’t throw evidence out.
What Kind of Compensation is Available If I’m Injured in a Bicycle Crash?
A bicycle advocate at Maison Law creates a complete list of the hardships you’ve suffered in recovery. This can go much further than just the totals on your hospital care and surgeon’s fees. Your bicycle accident settlement check must also include support for your other financial and non-economic damages.
These and other factors will determine the levels of compensation you can expect in recovery:
- Help with medical bills now and those anticipated in the future.
- Expense for physical therapy sessions and any medical equipment necessary to give you as much freedom as possible.
- Estimated lifetime costs if you must adapt to life with a permanent disability.
- Physical pain and emotional trauma suffered in the accident and during a difficult recovery. This might include the anxiety you feel when considering getting back out on a bike and riding in traffic.
- Compensation for a loss of enjoyment of life. Being unable to get back on a bike, at least in the short term. Missing out on family activities.
- Travel costs getting to and from doctor visits and surgery consultations while in a wheelchair or cast.
- A new bike and equipment replacement.
- Full compensation for lost wages and benefits at work while you are healing.
Compensation for Child Victims of Delano Bicycle Accidents
Maison Law takes quick action on behalf of parents after a child has been the victim of a driver’s mistake. We make sure children receive the full support they need to have the best chance of fully recovering from a bicycle accident.
Our skilled attorneys know that an injury suffered in childhood can be much harder to heal from. A child can suffer a broken bone and seemingly heal, only to experience additional difficulties as they mature. In some cases, additional surgeries are needed in the teen years to try to correct bicycle collision fractures that haven’t healed right.
A careless driver and the driver’s car insurance provider must be held fully responsible for the child’s wellbeing now and in the years ahead.
Contact a Delano Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an actual Delano bicycle accident lawyer. We want to hear what happened to you. We’re going to answer your questions and make sure you are fully aware of the benefits available to you and your family.
Maison Law takes on careless drivers and their insurers and forces them to accept full responsibility for an injured cyclist’s wellbeing. We don’t abandon riders and we fight for their fair support until they are ready to get back on a bike again.
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