When riding your bicycle in Fresno, you will encounter all manner of different hazards. However, probably the most pressing hazard is other drivers. Most people are safe and alert when they get behind the wheel of a car, which is especially important when you’re sharing the road with them while riding your bike.
Of all the various types of accidents that can occur between a bicycle and a vehicle in Fresno, the “right hook” is one of the most common. As the name suggests, a right hook bike accident happens when a vehicle makes a right turn in front of a bicyclist headed in the same direction and contacts the person on the bicycle. Knowing what to do in a right hook bicycle accident, and who can help you, is vital to any recovery you make.
Free Consultations For Bicycle Accident Victims in Fresno
If you have been injured in one of these unfortunate accidents, you have rights. At Maison Law, our team of experienced Fresno bicycle accident lawyers can put you on the path to recovery by providing you with the support and expertise you need.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation
What Is a Right Hook Bicycle Accident and How Do They Most Often Occur in Fresno?
No matter where it happens, a right hook bicycle accident happens when a driver collides or strikes you or another bicyclist that is headed in the same direction by turning right into the person on the bicycle. Any number of different scenarios can cause a right hook bicycle accident, especially because they usually occur in crowded areas, streets, and intersections when:
- A driver turns right, directly into a bicyclist, colliding head-on with them.
- A driver turns right in front of a bicyclist, causing the person on the bicycle to collide with the side of the vehicle.
- The bicyclist passes a slow vehicle on the right, then the car turns right into them.
With a definition in place, right hook bicycle accidents are usually caused by the following three factors:
- Situational Blindness – Situational blindness is a driver’s tendency to overlook other people on the road, especially bicyclists. This is a known psychological phenomenon where drivers, being actively on the lookout for other vehicles, completely fail to see pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, or people on scooters. Most of the time, these drivers will look, but simply fail to properly register people on a bike and turn into them.
- Miscalculations – When you get behind the wheel of a car, you have to make hundreds of split-second decisions. When faced with bicyclists or other challenges on the road, these split-second decisions can turn into accidents. This happens in right hook accidents, where the driver will simply miscalculate the amount of space they have to make a turn, or the distance the person on the bike is from them.
- Negligence – Like any car or bicycle accident that happens, drivers (and bicyclists) can be negligent or make poor assumptions about what other drivers and bicyclists will do. Right hook bicycle accidents frequently happen in this scenario, especially at stop lights. Many times, a driver will mistakenly assume that the bicyclist will wait for them to make their turn before heading forward. When the driver fails to take other people into account before making their move, right hook accidents can happen.
A right hook bicycle accident is much like other car and bicycle accidents in that injuries are likely to result from the collision. Thus, it’s important to understand the extent of your injuries by immediately seeking medical treatment. That way, you can plan for your next move.
Injuries That Can Happen In Fresno Right Hook Bicycle Accidents
The nature of right hook bicycle accidents, given that they typically occur in crowded areas and intersections, mean that a wide range of injuries can result if you find yourself in one of these unfortunate accidents. Among the more common injuries typically seen in a right hook bicycle accident include:
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken bones, especially on the lower body
- Soft-tissue injuries and ligament tears
- Back injuries
- Road rash, cuts and scrapes
- internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
Regardless of how it occurs, every right hook bicycle accident has its own unique set of circumstances, from what caused them to the injuries that resulted from it. Thus, when it comes time to try to recover compensation, the skill and knowledge that our team of Fresno bicycle accident lawyers can provide will be valuable to your ability to get the support you need.
Damages Available in a Fresno Right Hook Bicycle Accident
Right hook bicycle accident injury claims in Fresno are not unlike other bicycle accident injury claims that we typically see. As with any injury claim, figuring out who is liable will be the starting point. In a right hook bicycle accident, at least most of the time, the at-fault party will be the driver that turned into you.
From there, the extent of what you can recover rests on your injuries and losses. Damages in these types of accidents typically include:
- Medical bills
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence is a law in California that says any percentage of fault that an injured person shares in the accident reduces their potential recovery amount by that same percentage.
This law is factored into any injury claim, including a right hook bicycle accident. While the driver will be at-fault the vast majority of the time, if you contributed to the accident in some way (maybe by trying to inch out in front of the driver at a red light, etc.), then your potential losses will be reduced.
As with any accident, it’s important to understand that the claims process can take time. That’s why our team at Maison Law takes such pride in our services. We offer every client the ongoing support and assistance they need to see their case through to the end.
Experienced and Dedicated Fresno Right Hook Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Right hook bicycle accidents in Fresno frequently leave victims feeling overwhelmed by injuries, medical bills, and a loss of the ability to work or provide for their families. While these are all certainly consequences of these types of accidents, Maison Law and our team of experienced, dedicated Fresno right hook bicycle accident lawyers can help you by making sure any claim you have for damages is strong and complete.
We are proud to offer free consultations for any potential client, contact us here to learn more and schedule your free consultation.
