In California, cyclists find beautiful weather and amazing backdrops for their rides. Unfortunately, careless California drivers never allow riders to focus on their surroundings for too long.
Bicyclists must constantly watch for vehicles cutting them off, turning in front of them, or running them down from behind. These actions aren’t intentional, but the lack of care drivers show when they should be taking every precaution around defenseless cyclists almost rises to that level. That negligence makes motorists absolutely liable for every injury they cause in vehicle vs. bicycle accidents.
California cyclists young and old who suffer traumatic bicycle accident injuries should receive the best medical care available. They should also be able to focus on recovery and not have to stress about how they’ll pay for their treatment.
A Free Consultation with a California Bicycle Accident Traumatic Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one are seriously hurt in a California bicycle collision don’t trust an insurance company to automatically provide the support you need. Suffering a traumatic injury after a careless driver’s mistake might send you to a trauma center and then leave you facing months of medical care. Insurance adjusters may only want to pay you for a few hours in the emergency room.
Talk over your case with a skilled California Bicycle Accident Lawyer in a free consultation. It’s a critical step in determining what your injury is worth and what you’ll need to demand from insurance providers. Maison Law is a strong advocate for ride safety for all cyclists. We want to see cyclists return to the road as soon as possible.
What is a Bicycle Accident Traumatic Injury?
The extreme forces bicycle accident victims endure when struck by large, heavy vehicles are often powerful enough to cause traumatic injuries.
Traumatic injuries are generally injuries that occur suddenly. They usually involve blunt force trauma or penetrating trauma. Victims need immediate medical attention and there may require resuscitation and intervention to save their lives.
Trauma Centers across California are specially designated emergency rooms that have the advanced equipment and surgeons necessary to handle such critical injuries.
To find out what to do and not do in the moments after a serious bicycle accident please visit our California bicycle accident informational page here.
Most Common Traumatic Injuries in California Bicycle Accidents
A traumatic bicycle accident injury can require weeks or months of hospital care and physical therapy. In the most tragic cases, cyclists can receive enough harm that it threatens their lives.
These injuries can happen when a cyclist is struck by a car, SUV, or big rig. The first strike from a vehicle is often powerful enough to cause a traumatic injury. The rider will then have to endure a collision with the pavement and in some cases, have to survive being run over by the same vehicle or another vehicle.
Bones can be crushed and long-term injuries are always possible. These are just some of the most severe traumatic injuries treated in California emergency rooms after bicycle crashes:
- Facial Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Hand Injuries
- Dental Injuries
- Arm Fracture
- Leg Fracture
- Chest Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Collarbone Fractures
- Rib Injuries
- Pelvic Fractures
Compensation Available After a California Bicycle Accident Traumatic Injury
When a California bicycle accident victim suffers a traumatic injury, the insurance support provided by the at-fault driver becomes all the more important.
Insurance adjusters will attempt to provide as little compensation to you and your family as possible. Their first bicycle accident settlement offer may only cover half of the victim’s recovery costs. Your California Bicycle Accident Lawyer has the experience to know what you’ll need to get back on your feet and your bike and will reject unfair settlement checks.
Your attorney also makes sure every hardship you’ve faced is clearly listed for the insurance company. Anything not on this list when you file an injury claim isn’t eligible for compensation.
These are just a few of the economic and non-economic damages caused by a traumatic injury you’ll be demanding compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Hospital bills now and those expected to arrive in the future.
- Additional support over a lifetime if you must live with a permanent disability or a permanent disfigurement.
- All income and benefits you’ve lost while missing work hours after your bicycle accident.
- Money to replace a bike and damaged personal property.
- Wrongful death benefits. After a tragedy, families should receive support for the costs of a funeral and money to pay for lingering medical bills. A spouse or children of the victim should also earn assistance with replacing the income the deceased can no longer provide in the years ahead.
Non-Economic Damages:
- Support for the physical pain you’ve suffered through.
- Support for the emotional trauma you’ve experienced. This may include anxiety and PTSD symptoms stemming from the collision. Depression and the costs of any mental health care needed should factor into any bike accident insurance settlement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. The anguish of not being able to return to riding as soon as you’d like.
- Loss of consortium. The loss of intimacy with a spouse or domestic partner.
- Wrongful death non-economic damages. The loss of guidance and care the victim would have provided family members in the future should factor into the support received.
Frequently Asked Questions After California Bicycle Accidents
What if I was partially at fault for my bicycle accident injury?
California allows for parties to share blame in a bicycle accident. You may have to accept a small percentage of fault for making a reckless move, but a driver can still owe you a percentage of compensation for hitting you.
Can I receive injury compensation if I wasn’t wearing a bicycle helmet?
Yes. If you are 18 years old or older you aren’t required to wear a helmet while biking in California. A jury could assign you some blame for your injury for not wearing a helmet, but you could still earn partial support.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident traumatic injury claim?
The State of California allows bicycle accident victims up to two years to file a claim after a crash. Acting quickly is always best. The longer you wait the harder it is to secure fresh evidence and keep track of important witnesses.
Contact a California Bicycle Accident Traumatic Injury Lawyer
Contact the California bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your bicycle accident injury is worth and what you should be holding an insurance company to. Don’t depend on an insurance adjuster to inform you of every benefit available to you and your family.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, fights to make sure bicycle accident victims are never left to face the consequences of a careless driver’s mistake alone. Cyclists must receive full support from the moment an injury occurs until the day victims can return to their bikes and the rides they love.
