Maison Law is an advocate for safe bicycle rides for all Madera bicyclists, and we represent victims when they are struck by careless drivers.
Our bicycle accident lawyers are committed to helping riders secure the support they need to recover fully and return to their bike rides.
Schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with a real lawyer. It’s a no-risk way to find out what you should demand from an at-fault driver’s car insurance.
Should I Call a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident?
Most bicycle accidents involving a vehicle are serious. But if a collision leaves you with only a few minor scrapes and bruises, you may not need a lawyer’s help for your case. However, cyclists who suffer a more serious outcome, like broken bones, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and neck and back injuries, will likely benefit from having a tough lawyer on their side.
A Madera County Bicycle Accident Lawyer can help riders prove their innocence in a collision and then demand the most support possible. They’ll need all the compensation they can get, too, because medical bills for a major bicycle accident injury will run very high, especially when the goal must be to get a bicyclist back to perfect health to be able to ride again.
These are just a few of the benefits riders will enjoy when having a skilled bicycle accident attorney protecting their cases:
- Conducts a full investigation into the accident and the at-fault driver.
- Has evidence ready if a shady insurance adjuster tries to shift blame in the accident or tries to dismiss the seriousness of your injuries.
- Submits your claim with a full list of damages you expect to be covered. This is handled while you are allowed to focus on healing and getting back on a bike.
- Goes toe-to-toe with unhelpful insurance adjusters over how big your settlement should be. Rejects “lowball” settlement offers and negotiates for more.
- A track record of getting victims much more than they could by handling a bicycle accident claim on their own.
- Represents the threat of a lawsuit if a car insurance company won’t make you happy with a settlement offer. This threat of going to court can make car insurers work harder to give you what you want. If not, your lawyer has a strong case prepared for a judge and jury.
- No upfront costs. Your lawyer’s protection comes at no cost to you unless your case is won. Then, your lawyer’s fee comes out of the settlement, and the insurance company must pay you.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Madera
In California, bicyclists have the same right to the road as motorists, but riding alongside sometimes unfocused drivers can prove dangerous. Local riders do have some bike lanes to take advantage of, like the standard bike lanes along Lake Street.
Riders can also get a break from traffic anxiety by traveling local paths like the Bear Creek Bikeway. Unfortunately, many cyclists trying to get to work, or out to get a good long ride in, will have to pedal alongside drivers who may be looking at cellphones or have a heavy foot. They can try to pass a rider without enough room and end up causing a dangerous impact.
It happens far too often in Madera County. California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) counted 24 bicycle accidents involving injury in 2024 across the county. In 2023, there were 14 serious accidents reported. In 2022, there were 17 serious bicycle collisions. Over the past five years (2020-2024), there have been at least 4 bicycle fatalities across Madera County.
Here are some common causes of bicycle accidents that send victims to Madera Community Hospital:
- Turning left in front of a bicyclist who is traveling straight ahead.
- Turning right into a bicyclist who is between a driver and the curb.
- Failing to come to a stop and yield the right-of-way at a stoplight or stop sign.
- A vehicle driver or passenger opening a door in the path of a bicyclist.
- A bicyclist being sideswiped and forced off the road by a vehicle making a lane change.
- Following a bicyclist too closely and hitting him or her.
- Drivers who are intoxicated, high, or both who fail to see bicyclists and yield to them when required by law.
Victims should get the support they need immediately to cover medical expenses and support them while they can’t go into their jobs. Unfortunately, victims can be made to wait, and not everyone gets the same level of compensation, even when they have similar injuries.
It’s often up to a skilled attorney to put pressure on an insurance company to provide a fast response and to write a settlement check that doesn’t leave victims to cover some of their medical bills.
You can get a full view of local bike lanes by visiting Madera County’s Interactive Bike Map
Common Injuries Suffered by Bicyclists
When there’s an impact between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist, the rider’s injuries are often serious.
Victims can wind up at Madera Community Hospital or be flown to the Trauma Center at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.
Here are some common injuries that are suffered by bicyclists in traffic accidents:
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries along with facial fractures and dental injuries.
- Rib fractures and internal organ damage.
- Damage to vertebrae, spinal disc herniation or displacement.
- Fractures to both the upper and lower extremities, especially the legs.
- Joint damage to the shoulders, hips and knees.
- Road rash with the possibility of dangerous of infections.
Can I Earn Support for the PTSD Symptoms Caused by a Bicycle Accident?
Yes. The emotional trauma caused by a frightening collision must earn support from a car insurance company. This can include the PTSD symptoms victims may experience. They may have flashbacks to the moment of impact. These fears could even make patients hesitant to get back on a bike. Riders should have the money they need to pay for care from mental health professionals.
The emotional impact of a difficult recovery, without being able to ride and having to miss out on cherished activities, should also earn compensation. Victims left with depression and anxiety should be able to afford the help they need.
Your lawyer will file your claim and include every bill and non-economic damage you’ve suffered during recovery. Anything that gets left off could end up as a cost you must cover out of your own savings.
These and other hardships will contribute to the amount you see in a bicycle accident injury settlement:
- Costs of medical bills now and those expected in the future.
- Estimates for care over a lifetime for permanent disfigurement or permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering. This includes the pain victims suffer. It must also encompass the emotional trauma victims must cope with.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Repairs to the bicycle or replacement.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Children are often the victims of careless drivers. They also suffer more serious injuries for several reasons. Children are closer to the wheels of a car and can easily fall under a vehicle to suffer severe injuries. Maison law would demand additional financial support for any young victims. A young victim’s body is still developing. An injury that seems to heal now may affect how they mature in their teen years. Future surgeries and physical therapy could be necessary. That’s why additional support is usually needed to make sure young bicycle accident victims have the support necessary to deal with future consequences.
Yes. Families should file a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver. This claim seeks assistance with burial costs and in paying any remaining medical fees left behind. Close relatives must also get help in replacing the income the victim can no longer provide in the future.
The statute of limitations on a bicycle crash injury is two years. If you wait longer to file a claim with an insurance company, the insurer is usually allowed to reject it. Your recovery bills could be your full responsibility.
Contact a Madera Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle accident, please rely on an experienced Madera bicycle accident attorney to handle your case and protect your interests. Insurance companies aren’t required to tell you about every benefit available to you. When you aren’t informed of your rights, you can lose out on valuable resources and end up paying for some of your bicycle accident recovery costs out of pocket.
That should never be the case when you are put through such a traumatic accident through no fault of your own. Take advantage of a free case review with a real attorney that comes with no obligation to you or your family.
If you feel we can help you earn more, you won’t need any money to hire a lawyer. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. If your case is lost, we don’t earn anything. If your case is successful, you still don’t have to worry about paying Maison Law. We are actually paid out of the settlement check a car insurance company is forced to hand over to you.
