What Steps To Take Immediately After A Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident in Pasadena, taking the right steps immediately can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Get to Safety: If at all possible, relocate to a secure area away from traffic. Put everyone's safety—including yours and theirs—first.
- Make a 911 call to report the collision to the police. The police will record the incident and compile an official report, both of which are vital to your case.
- Seek Medical Attention: It is imperative that you see a doctor, even if you feel well. While certain injuries might not be noticeable right away, they can eventually worsen.
- Obtain Information: Ask the affected driver for their contact and insurance details. Take note of the make, model, and license plate number of the car as well.
- Record the Situation: Take pictures of the vehicle, your bicycle, the accident area, and any injuries that are clearly evident. This proof can be very helpful to you in your case.
- Gather Witness Information: Speak with any witnesses, collect statements, and write down their contact information as well. They can help substantiate your account of the incident.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not discuss fault or apologize at the scene. Statements made in the heat of the moment can be misinterpreted.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance provider, but keep the details minimal until you have legal representation.
- Consult a Lawyer: Contact bike accident attorneys in Pasadena as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Following these steps can help secure your health, safety, and legal standing after a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle. If you need assistance, our team of Pasadena bicycle accident lawyers is here to help you navigate the aftermath and pursue justice.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can occur due to various factors, including:
- Distracted driving: Drivers preoccupied with phones or passengers may overlook bicyclists.
- Failure to yield: Neglecting to yield to bicyclists at intersections or while turning can result in collisions.
- Door accidents: Opening car doors without checking for cyclists can lead to serious "dooring" incidents.
- Hazardous road conditions: Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and debris pose threats to bicyclists.
- Driver negligence: Speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence can cause bicycle accidents.
Recoverable Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim
In a bicycle accident claim, various damages can be pursued, including:
- Medical Expenses: This encompasses coverage for hospital bills, expenses related to doctor visits, necessary medications, and rehabilitation services aimed at aiding recovery.
- Lost Wages: Compensation is available for income lost due to missed work during recovery. This financial support aims to mitigate the accident's impact on the victim's livelihood.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages extend beyond the physical realm to encompass the emotional distress and mental anguish resulting from the accident. Compensation is sought to address these intangible hardships.
- Property Damage: Victims are entitled to reimbursement for repairing or replacing their bicycles, ensuring they can resume regular activities with minimal disruption.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Long-term disabilities resulting from the accident may diminish the victim's ability to earn a living. Compensation is sought to address this loss of earning potential and financial stability.
- Wrongful Death: In tragic cases where a loved one succumbs to injuries sustained in a bicycle accident, damages can be pursued for the loss of financial support and companionship, helping the surviving family members cope with the profound emotional and financial repercussions of their loss.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in California?
In California, bicycle accident claims must adhere to a statute of limitations. Typically, the statute allows two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim, including bicycle accidents. However, exceptions may apply, necessitating prompt legal action.
Consulting a seasoned Pasadena bicycle accident lawyer promptly is crucial to safeguarding your legal rights. Delaying legal proceedings may forfeit your right to seek compensation for injuries sustained.
Contact Our Pasadena Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have been seriously injured, you want the best representation possible. McGee Lerer Ogrin is a family of bicycle accident lawyers with over 38 years of combined experience representing serious injury and wrongful death victims.
We have dedicated ourselves to providing personalized, comprehensive legal help to those injured in accidents. In addition to fighting for injury compensation on our clients' be halves, we assist them in finding medical providers that treat them on a lien basis, allowing them to put off paying for their treatment until their case has been resolved.
We can refer you to a doctor near you, and often, we can schedule you to see the doctor the same day or the next day. Our lawyers are available to assist you in your bicycle accident case, and we will work diligently to secure full restitution for the damages you have sustained at the hands of another's negligence.
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Contact McGee Lerer Ogrin to meet with our bicycle accident lawyer in Pasadena!
