Maison Law is an advocate for safe bicycle rides for all Monterey 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, talk to a skilled, local lawyer and schedule a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle crash that leads to only a few minor scrapes and bruises, cyclists may not need a lawyer’s help to get fair treatment from an insurance company. But defenseless cyclists often suffer disfiguring roadburn, fractured bones, and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). If your injury is serious and a careless driver is to blame, you should speak to a Monterey bicycle accident lawyer.
Car insurance providers will do their best to limit the compensation you receive for your recovery. Your Maison Law Lawyer will be a safeguard against this type of treatment. Your lawyer will also have evidence ready when an insurance adjuster attempts to blame you for what happened. You’ll also need protection when an insurance company tries to downplay your injuries and shortchange you on your medical bills. Maison Law demands the maximum in support available for you and your family.
How Many Bicycle Accidents Happen in Monterey Each Year?
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reports that in 2023 there were 12 bicycle accidents involving an injury on Monterey streets. In 2022, there were 16 such accidents recorded Overall, in Monterey County, there were a shocking 84 cycling collisions involving an injury in 2023.
Cyclists enjoy separated bike paths and bike paths along parts of Del Monte Boulevard and Fremont Street. And there are many bike trails linking the entire Monterey peninsula. But eventually, many riders must get out in traffic.
Cyclists have as much right to the lanes as any driver, but they still contend with daily risks when drivers are careless. Motorists can check texts and veer into bike lanes. Aggressive drivers can make turns in front of vulnerable riders.
A collision can leave bicyclists injured from an impact with a vehicle and the road surface. Maison Law focuses on earning clients the money they need to get the best medical care available for as long as necessary to get them back to the rides they love.
Common Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accidents
After you have been struck in a Monterey bicycle collision, you could face days or weeks of expensive medical care. If you ever want to mount your bike again, months of physical therapy could be the only path back.
These are just a few of the most common and painful bicycle accident injuries treated at places like the Community Hospital Emergency Department:
- Road Rash – The tearing and scraping of the skin while sliding along a rough surface. These injuries typically heal on their own after a lot of pain, but tough-to-treat infections are possible.
- Facial and Mouth Injury – Cyclists may try to catch themselves with their hands as they fall, but failing that, the face may be next in line. The nose and the cheekbones can break. Teeth can dislodge or chip. Permanent disfigurement is possible.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A brain injury can occur even with a helmet on, although a helmet usually keeps injuries from being as severe. A TBI can be as mild as a concussion or serious enough to cause memory loss and seizures.
- Fractured Bones – Cyclists thrown from their bikes often break hands, wrists, and arms as they try to arrest their fall. Bones in the chest, like the breastbone and collarbone, are vulnerable in a hard fall. Cyclists often spend days unable to move their upper bodies without extreme pain while these bones heal.
- Amputation – Limbs and digits can suffer bad breaks and be crushed under tires. A limb may need to be surgically removed if it can’t be saved.
- Paralysis – An accident may result in the loss of control over the arms or legs. A spine or brain injury can result in a permanent disability. A return to bike rides may be out of the question for some victims.
What Benefits Are Available for Bicycle Accident Victims?
Victims in California generally have up to two years to file a claim after a cycling accident. Victims shouldn’t wait years to file though. The more time that passes after an accident, the harder it’ll be to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and collect documents needed to build a strong case. A local bicycle collision attorney can help you assemble these important details.
After an injury in a bicycle crash, you’ll face a challenging recovery that could be very expensive. An attorney can help you seek coverage for damages to your health and finances you might not have considered. Those hardships you’ve endured due to the negligence of a distracted driver might consist of:
- Past and future medical bills
- Additional support for child victims who may experience additional complications from injuries as they mature
- Past and future lost earnings
- Any permanent disfigurement
- Any permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of counseling and psychological services. The anguish of not being able to ride.
- Repairs to Bicycle or Replacement
- Loss of a normal life
- Wrongful death benefits for a victim’s family
Contact a Monterey Bicycle Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an actual Monterey 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.
At Maison Law, we believe cyclists should have the support to pay for the best medical care available. We seek whatever is needed to help riders heal and get back on their bikes.
If you feel we can help you earn more for your recovery, you won’t need to worry about finding the money to hire us. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your bicycle accident case for you. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement money a car insurance company must pay you.
