Cyclists travel the roads of California sometimes for a grueling workout, and sometimes just to enjoy some fresh air with friends and family. Unfortunately, any ride can come to a devastating end when drivers race along streets and highways without staying alert to spot any bicyclists nearby.
A California bicycle collision caused by a car can send riders from their bikes. The following impact with the pavement is often enough to cause major chest injuries. Victims suffer broken collarbones, rib damage, and even critical damage to the lungs and heart.
Cyclists will be away from their bikes for quite some time. They’ll need to focus on healing, but they must also turn their attention to holding an at-fault driver’s car insurance company responsible.
Contact a California Traumatic Injury Lawyer for a Free Bicycle Accident Consultation
After suffering a serious chest injury in a California Bicycle accident, you may have real doubts that the at-fault party will provide what you’ll need to pay for the best medical care available.
That understandable doubt is a good reason to talk with a California bicycle accident lawyer about what your chest injury is really worth and what you should demand in support. Contact Maison Law of California for a free case evaluation to answer these questions and more.
It’s a no-risk way to learn about every benefit available to you and your family. At Maison Law, we believe victims should make the most of their bicycle accident claims so they never find themselves in need of support in the years ahead.
Common Chest Injuries in California Bicycle Accidents
Chest injuries are common in bicycle collisions. Cyclists absorb chest damage when they are sent head and chest first into the pavement. A rider landing on a side (on the ribs) is also vulnerable. The chest is also vulnerable as it supports the outstretched arms of a rider trying to slow a fall.
These are just a few of the potential chest injuries emergency room doctors treat after California bicycle accidents.
- Broken Ribs – Ribs can crack or break and even puncture the lungs. “Flail chest” is the term for when multiple consecutive ribs suffer multiple breaks. This can lead to a destabilization of the entire chest wall and is life-threatening.
- Fractured Sternum – Also known as the breastbone. The sternum is part of the ribcage and forms the center of the chest. It’s connected to the ribs by cartilage to help protect the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
- Collarbone – The two clavicle bones run along the upper chest. Collarbone fractures are one of the most common bicycle accidents because they are put at risk when riders throw their arms out to catch themselves in a fall.
- Heart Damage – Fluid can build up in the heart after trauma. A myocardial contusion is a bruise of the heart muscle and can lead to heart rhythm issues.
- Collapsed Lung — This is when oxygen is forced into the area between the lung and the chest wall.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a California Bicycle Accident?
These devastating outcomes and others make it critical that a skilled California Bicycle Accident Lawyer is working to maximize the injury compensation you earn. As a victim, doctors may not be able to tell you how long it will take for full strength to return to your chest muscles and bones.
A return to riding a bike might be put off indefinitely. There’s also no guarantee that an injury won’t flare up in a few years when riders won’t be able to ask an insurance company for more in compensation. These possibilities must be considered when determining the size of a settlement check a victim receives. A bicycle accident attorney makes sure these concerns are addressed and negotiates for the maximum support available.
For more information on how to get the most out of a chest injury insurance claim please check out our chest injury page here.
Compensation for Chest Injury Victims in a California Bicycle Accident
One way to get the most out of a bicycle accident chest injury claim is to make doubly sure every physical, emotional, and financial damage you’ve endured is documented for the insurance provider.
A list of your hardships will be submitted along with your injury claim. Your California traumatic injury lawyer checks over this list to make sure everything that is eligible for compensation is on there. Saving every medical invoice you receive and your paystubs while you’ve had to miss work will make totaling your losses easier.
These are just a few of the factors that are considered when bicycle accident settlement offers are negotiated:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Physical therapy bills. Chest injury victims must often learn to breathe properly and rebuild their core strength before they can do any strenuous activity such as riding a bike.
- Estimates on the lifelong physical and emotional costs of permanent physical disability.
- Support for the pain endured during recovery.
- Support for the emotional trauma endured during a frightening cycling crash and through a difficult recovery. The anguish of not being able to participate in family activities or ride a bike can contribute to a loss of enjoyment of life.
- Past and future lost wages while having to miss work hours.
- Replacement of bicycle.
- Wrongful death benefits. The support a family should receive after having a loved one taken by a traumatic chest injury suffered in a California bicycle accident. This can include money for a funeral and to pay leftover medical bills. A wrongful death claim also asks for help replacing the financial support the deceased can no longer provide the family in the coming years.
Contact a California Bicycle Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, offers a free case evaluation for all chest injury victims after a California bicycle accident. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your injury is worth and how to make sure you get the most out of your chest injury insurance claim. Contact Mr. Gasparian to schedule a no-obligation consultation and talk to a real California Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer today.
