West Covina Bicycle Accident Lawyer

West Covina Bicycle Accident Attorney

West Covina is a thriving and growing city in the greater Los Angeles area. Many residents of West Covina prefer to move around the city by using alternative transportation means to cars, such as by riding the available metro and buses and taking their bicycles. While biking is a cost-effective and healthy way to move around, it does not come without risks. If you have been injured in a biking accident, a West Covina bicycle accident lawyer from Belgum, Fry & Van Allen can assist you.

At our West Covina-based firm, we are dedicated to making roads safer for bicyclists in the community by holding neglectful or reckless drivers accountable for their actions. A bike injury attorney CA from Belgum, Fry & Van Allen is here to address your questions and concerns, collect evidence, build up your case strategy, pursue negotiations, or even take your case to trial, if necessary, to get you the compensation that you are entitled to for your damages.

How a West Covina Bicycle Accident Attorney From Our Firm Can Help

If you have been a victim of a bike accident in West Covina, you are likely feeling caught off-guard, and you may be dealing with serious physical injuries or emotional trauma. To ensure that you can be adequately compensated for your bike accident damages, it’s important to work with skilled and compassionate bike crash attorneys who can walk you through the claims process. At Belgum, Fry & Van Allen, we offer thoughtful and strategic approaches to help you optimize your final settlement.

We can thoroughly analyze the details of your case, including the involved parties and the existing evidence. Then, we can advise you on the immediate steps you can take to collect more pertinent evidence which could further support your case. By understanding your crash details, we can determine who was at fault and work to prove this in negotiations or court.

Furthermore, we can help you document damages and submit your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We can handle all communications with the relevant parties deciding on your claim and employ sharp negotiation tactics to fight for your settlement.

If we cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurance company, our firm does not back down on the amount you are entitled to. Instead, we can take the case to court. We can carry out pretrial negotiations and walk you through all the relevant processes and hearings that are necessary to win your case. Through our committed, client-centered approach, our legal team is determined to get you the settlement you need to cover your accident damages.

Common West Covina, CA, Bike Accident Injuries

Bicycle accident injuries are commonly more severe for bicyclists than automobile drivers and passengers. This is due to the lack of a protective enclosure for the rider in case there is a crash. Therefore, while bicyclists can sustain minor injuries, such as cuts or strains, they may also have life-threatening injuries that can lead to paralysis or even wrongful death. Some of the most common injuries to riders in the city include:

• Head Injuries: Bikers commonly sustain head injuries, undercutting the necessity to wear a helmet at all times while riding. Head injuries can be minor, such as a slight concussion, or more serious, such as permanent brain damage that results in a loss of the ability to move or think properly.
• Cuts, Burns, and Lacerations: Scraped knees and elbows are common after any bike fall, but serious accidents can cause more severe lacerations that require stitches or other interventions. Road rash can also occur due to skidding on the road, especially if the rider is thrown from their bicycle.
• Sprains and Fractures: Sprains involve tearing or overextending a tendon around a joint, while fractures are defined as breaking or cracking in the bone. Both can occur during a bicycle accident due to a cyclist being crushed on impact with objects or landing on a body part at an improper angle with a certain amount of force.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can be minor or life-threatening. Vertebrae displacement or whiplash are less serious, as they are usually caused by the spinal column bearing a large amount of force over an extremely short period of time. Other, more severe, spinal cord injuries can result in partial or full paralysis or even death.
• Emotional Trauma: Getting in an accident as a bicyclist can be traumatizing. Many accident victims suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. They may also be grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Fear of healthcare financing should not deter bike accident victims from seeking and securing the medical attention that they are entitled to. The loyal bike accident team at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen can assist you with documenting all your previous medical expenses while accounting for future costs, such as physical therapy or long-term at-home care.

By working with our firm, you can rest assured that we can fight for you to get an adequate compensation package that fully covers all your bicycle accident injury damages.

How Does Comparative Fault Impact My Bike Accident Settlement?

California is an at-fault state, which means that the party or parties who are found to be responsible for causing an accident must pay for the resulting damages. However, the at-fault party may not be required to pay for all damages due to comparative fault. This means that if you are found to be 20% responsible for your bike accident, and the evaluated damages are considered to be $100,000, then you may only be entitled to 80% of this $100,000, or $80,000.

A dedicated personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you understand how comparative fault may impact your specific case settlement.

FAQs About West Covina, CA Bicycle Accident Law

Does My California Bicycle Need to Have Brakes?

Yes, your California bicycle needs to have brakes under state law. The bicycle brake should be properly working so that it can stop one wheel from turning, making it skid on level, clean, and dry pavement. It is critical to have adequate breaks that are working properly, as you can increase your risk of having a bicycle accident otherwise. Furthermore, if you get in an accident that you did not cause, you might not be entitled to full compensation if you don’t have working brakes.

Can I Ride on the Sidewalk With My Bicycle in California?

Whether you can ride your bicycle on the sidewalk in California is dependent on the city and jurisdiction that you are located in. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21206, cities and counties can set their own rules regarding bicyclists on sidewalks. Therefore, it is critical to not only be aware of state biking laws but also the laws in the jurisdiction where you are riding. Following local and state bike laws can help you prevent a bike accident.

Is California an At-Fault State?

Yes, California is an at-fault accident state. This means that to get compensation for injuries and damages after a California accident, it must be proven that the other party was at fault. To prove that the other party or parties were at fault for your accident, you can collect adequate evidence, including witness testimony, photos, and videos. A lawyer can help you prove that a person’s actions were unlawful or negligent, thus leading to your accident.

What Should I Do After a California Bike Accident?

After a California bike accident, the first thing you should do is make sure that you are okay. Then, be sure that you or others around you are not in immediate danger due to a medical emergency or hazardous conditions. Once you are sure that everyone is safe, you should exchange contact information with all involved parties, document the accident scene, and call a personal injury lawyer. They can help you file a claim and negotiate a fair settlement based on the damages.

How Long After a CA Bike Accident Can I Sue?

In California, the amount of time that you have to sue an at-fault party for your biking accident is typically two years. This two-year period, known as the statute of limitations, marks the time between the date the accident happened and the date when you submit your claim. It’s important to know that this timeframe may vary based on the details of your case. Therefore, it is advised to talk with a personal injury lawyer to get a more exact estimate.

Let Belgum, Fry & Van Allen Fight for Your Bike Accident Settlement

West Covina bike accidents can be devastating. Due to the lack of any enclosure, bicyclists are always at a much greater risk of sustaining serious injuries than automobile drivers. However, you should not have to pick up the bill for the individual who is responsible for your injuries. A West Covina personal injury lawyer from Belgum, Fry & Van Allen can fight for you to get the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to. Reach out today to get started.