Maison Law represents injured bicycle accident victims in Los Banos. Bicycle accidents are more common than you might think, especially in areas like Los Banos with its San Joaquin Valley beauty and thriving downtown. But despite the presence of dedicated bike lanes and safety laws, crashes between cyclists and motor vehicles still occur, resulting in severe, life-altering injuries.
At Maison Law, we stand up for injured bicyclists and protect their right to compensation. If you’re suffering injuries, financial losses, and mental trauma from a bicycle accident, our firm can help. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
How a Los Banos Bicycle Crash Lawyer Can Help
Bicyclists in Los Banos have the same legal rights and responsibilities as someone driving a car or truck on the road. So, if you were injured by another motorist, pedestrian, or hazard, then you are entitled to recover damages in the same way a car accident victim would. Unfortunately, recovering essential compensation can become challenging when insurance companies offer victims the lowest amount possible for their injuries. It can also be exceptionally difficult for bicyclists who are often blamed for causing accidents on the road.
That’s where Maison Law can help. Our firm will manage your accident claim and ensure the insurance company compensates you for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior (DUI, street racing)
- Actions performed out of spite
When Do I Need a Lawyer for a Los Banos Bicycle Crash?
If you only suffered minor scrapes or bruises from a bicycle accident you may not need a lawyer. However, you should contact an attorney after a bicycle accident if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
Maison Law Legal Services for Bicycle Injury Victims
Bicycle injuries can happen anywhere. They can happen while you’re riding on the sidewalk, crossing the street, or going for a nature ride on Los Banos Canal Trail. And in a single second, an injury caused by another’s careless actions can alter the course of your life, subjecting you to extensive medical treatment, loss of income, or even permanent disability. These are costly life changes that most people are not prepared to face alone. That’s why, at Maison Law, we offer the following services for bicycle injury victims in Los Banos to protect their physical and financial futures after suffering an injury:
- Investigate and determine wrongdoing or recklessness: personal injury accidents are complicated due to the number of victims and liable parties that may be involved. Typically, there will be several people to get statements from, and some parties may only be discussing their involvement through their attorneys. Maison Law can help manage this quickly and efficiently.
- Collect and preserve key evidence: Street cameras, dash cams, security footage, ring cameras, and witness statements are all key points of evidence for your case. Our team of personal injury attorneys will take the proper legal steps to obtain crucial information and strengthen your personal injury case.
- Communicate with insurance companies and other attorneys: It is recommended to have an attorney speak to the insurance adjusters on your behalf. Oftentimes, insurance companies will attempt to trick you into taking part of the blame or get you to say something that hurts your claim. Our attorneys can protect you from liability and ensure your right to fair compensation.
- Prove liability: With several parties potentially being involved in a personal injury accident, any number of them could have caused or contributed to the incident. This makes determining and proving liability challenging. The attorneys at Maison Law will assign a team of investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to determine the cause of your injuries, identify all liable parties, and hold those responsible for compensating you for your damages.
What Factors Could Decrease My Bike Accident Settlement?
Understanding the factors that can potentially harm your bicycle accident case is essential to knowing the value of your lawsuit. While a highly experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney will be able to highlight the reasons you deserve to be compensated, they will also work aggressively to protect you from the factors that could reduce your compensation. These factors include:
- Comparative negligence: if you are found partially at fault, your settlement can be reduced by your percentage of liability. This is made clear in California’s Comparative Negligence Law, which states:
- “Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”
- Pre-existing conditions: pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to the accident could complicate and potentially decrease the settlement.
- Lack of strong evidence: the inability to prove the liable party’s fault or carelessness in the accident can undermine your case and reduce your settlement.
- Delayed medical treatment: delays in seeking medical treatment after the accident may count against you as it implies your injuries were not that severe.
- Inconsistent statements: inconsistencies in your statement or re-telling of the incident can hurt your credibility and diminish settlement prospects.
How to Strengthen Your Bike Accident Injury Claim
If you suffer a bicycle crash injury, seek medical attention immediately. Nothing is more important than your health. Call out to another cyclist or pedestrian to help you get immediate medical attention. After you get medical care, it is recommended to:
- Report the injury to police: It is recommended to always call the police after an accident. A police report will serve as evidence, as well as assign liability to one party or the other.
- Take your own photos of the scene and get witness statements. Any evidence you can gather to support your claim will come in handy later, especially if you decide to take legal action to pursue compensation.
- Follow up on your injuries with a doctor. Any injuries you’ve sustained from your accident will become a part of your case, and you will need a doctor to corroborate your injuries. Insurance companies will not consider compensating your injuries without verifiable medical documentation.
- Contact Maison Law to protect your rights to compensation. Most accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by the incident and fail to realize the enormous impact a serious bicycle injury can have on their lives. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your options and get you the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Common Causes of Bicycle Crash Injuries
Like with any physical activity, bicycling comes with the risk of injuries. According to the CDC, the cost of bicycle injury and death exceeds $23 billion in the United States every year. These costs are accumulated through medical expenses, lost quality of life, missed time at work, and the loss of life.
Some injuries are preventable with training, technique, and proper safety practices. But when another person is careless around cyclists, injuries are inevitable and extremely costly. That’s why it is important to consult with an experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer after a bicycle crash to ensure you receive full compensation for your damages. Here are some of the most common causes of cycling injuries:
- Improper bike fit: an improper bike fit, which is common in first-time bicyclists, can lead to various cycling-related injuries, including knee pain, back pain, and saddle sores.
- Collisions: bicycle crashes involving cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists result in injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe trauma. These injuries can be maximized by failing to wear the proper safety equipment.
- Speed and reckless riding: riding at excessive speeds or engaging in reckless behavior, such as ignoring typical traffic laws, can lead to accidents and crashes with others on the road.
- Weather conditions: adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and ice can make bicycling more dangerous due to the reduced traction and road visibility.
- Unsafe road conditions: poorly maintained roads, potholes, debris, and gravel can lead to crashes and injury. A simple defect in the road or bike lane can throw cyclists from their bikes, resulting in serious injury.
Contact a Los Banos Bike Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been in a bike accident in Los Banos, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Maison Law can help. We understand how traumatic a bike accident can be, especially when you have to fight with the insurance company to get what you’re owed. But you’re not alone in this fight. Maison Law is here to help restore your life and protect your right to the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Our firm has years of experience taking on the insurance company to protect the rights of injured bicyclists.
If you’re concerned about the financial, physical, and mental impact a bicycle accident has had on your life, contact Maison Law today. We offer all injured victims a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no hidden fees for our services, and you will only be charged once we win your case.