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Auburn Bicycle Accident Lawyer
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Auburn Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycles are environmentally friendly options for short-range transportation, leisure, and exercise. Many people ride bicycles in the Auburn, CA, area, and all riders should know their rights and responsibilities when accidents happen. Bicyclists in California have many of the same rights as motor vehicle drivers, and accidents can happen when drivers fail to yield the right of way when necessary.
Legal Counsel for Bicycle Accident Victims in Auburn, CA
If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries while riding your bike in the Auburn, CA, area because of a driver’s carelessness or intentional misconduct, it’s vital to seek legal advice from an experienced Auburn bicycle accident attorney. An experienced lawyer can help their client gather the evidence needed to prove fault for the accident and assist them in calculating their claimable damages.
The Kreeger Law Firm offers experienced and compassionate legal counsel to clients in the Auburn, CA, area struggling in the aftermath of bicycle accidents. These incidents happen in many ways, and the fault may not be immediately clear. Some victims may not realize the full scope of damages they can claim from those responsible for causing their accidents. We can provide the guidance and support you need to approach your personal injury claim with confidence.
Why You Need an Auburn Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle accidents can easily cause multiple traumatic injuries, and victims can face economic uncertainty from mounting medical bills and the inability to work while recovering. It’s understandable for some in this situation to hesitate at the thought of hiring an attorney due to the presumptive high cost of legal counsel. The Kreeger Law Firm accepts cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees, and the client only pays a percentage of their case award to the attorney.
Access to legal counsel you can trust makes it much easier for you and your family to handle a personal injury claim. Instead of attempting to manage medical recovery and legal proceedings all at once on your own, have an experienced legal team manage your case on your behalf. The Kreeger Law Firm can ensure your case filings meet all court filing deadlines so your case can proceed uninterrupted through the court system. Our firm can help clients settle their cases as swiftly as possible, but some cases may demand extensive litigation.
No matter what your bicycle accident claim may entail, hiring experienced legal counsel is the best way to approach this difficult situation. You are most likely to succeed with the claim when you have the right attorney representing you, and you are also more likely to maximize your final case award when your attorney can uncover channels of compensation you may have overlooked on your own.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycling near motor vehicles is inherently dangerous for many reasons. However, California law permits bicyclists to use most of the same rules that drivers use daily. Bike lanes are common in Auburn and surrounding areas, but bicyclists are permitted to use other roads as well. Drivers are expected to yield the right of way to bicyclists as they would other drivers, and bicyclists may take a lane just like a motorist. Bicycle accidents can happen when drivers fail to uphold their duties of care. Some of the most commonly reported causes of bicycle accidents in California are:
- Distracted driving. It is the most commonly cited cause of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States annually.
- Intoxicated driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs carries severe criminal penalties in California. In addition, if the DUI driver caused a bicycle accident, they are liable for the victim’s civil damages.
- Speeding. Drivers who exceed posted speed limits may not be able to slow or stop in time to avoid a collision with a bicyclist.
- Moving violations. When drivers run red lights, perform illegal turns, or commit other moving violations in heavy traffic, they can easily hit unaware cyclists.
- Poor visibility. Drivers must use extra care when driving at night, and cyclists should use reflectors to make themselves more visible on dark streets.
Your Auburn bicycle accident attorney can help you determine exactly how your bicycle accident happened and who is at fault. They may need to gather evidence such as traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, drivers’ cell phone records, and witness statements. Success with any personal injury claim requires the plaintiff to identify the defendant or defendants they deem responsible for their injuries, prove their actions directly caused the plaintiff’s claimed losses, and show clear proof of the full extent of those damages.
Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims in California
California personal injury law allows the victim of a personal injury to seek full compensation for any economic losses suffered because of a defendant’s actions. For example, a bicycle accident is a motor vehicle accident, and the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy could come into play regarding the victim’s damages. However, cyclists injured in accidents with motor vehicles often sustain catastrophic injuries, and the cost of treating these injuries can easily eclipse available insurance coverage.
Your Auburn bicycle accident lawyer can help you calculate the economic damages you can include in your claim. Medical expenses will likely form a substantial portion of your total economic losses if you suffered severe injuries. The defendant is liable for immediate and future treatment costs for healing your injuries and managing your symptoms. In addition, when a bicycle accident leaves the victim unable to work, they can seek lost income in their personal injury action. The defendant could also face liability for lost future earning potential if the plaintiff cannot return to work due to their injuries.
California law also allows personal injury plaintiffs to claim pain and suffering compensation. When a bicycle accident victim has sustained serious injuries and endured painful medical treatment, they may also struggle with emotional distress and psychological trauma from their experience. An Auburn bicycle accident attorney can help their client determine a fair amount of pain and suffering compensation to include in the personal injury case that reasonably reflects the severity of the plaintiff’s condition.
Depending on how a bicycle accident occurred, it is also possible for a plaintiff to receive punitive or statutory damages at the judge’s discretion. A judge overseeing civil court proceedings for a bicycle accident may deem the defendant’s actions outside the scope of typical negligence or illegal in nature. Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant and discourage similar acts in the future, and the amount paid depends on the defendant’s financial status. If a defendant is criminally charged for causing the bicycle accident, the judge handling sentencing may include restitution to the victim in their ruling. Your Auburn bicycle accident lawyer is an invaluable resource for addressing any unique variables your case may include.
FAQs
Q: Can a Cyclist Be Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
A: Bicyclists have most of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers on California roads, and this means they have a duty of care to operate their bicycles safely and follow the rules of the road. A cyclist can cause an accident through negligence, potentially incurring liability for damages. In cases where plaintiffs bear partial fault for their damages, California’s pure comparative negligence statute comes into play. The plaintiff loses a percentage of their case award to reflect their shared fault.
Q: What Happens If a Driver Flees the Scene of a Bicycle Accident?
A: Hit-and-run is a criminal offense in California, and the police can use various methods to track down a hit-and-run driver. If you experienced a bicycle accident and the at-fault driver fled the scene, you can file your personal injury claim against the responsible party as soon as the police locate and identify them. Hit-and-run drivers who cause bicycle accidents face civil liability for victims’ damages and criminal prosecution.
Q: How Long Will a Bicycle Accident Claim Take to Resolve?
A: Many personal injury claims can be settled within weeks of initial filings, but others can take much longer to resolve. Clarity of liability, the accessibility of physical evidence, witness testimony, and the scope of damages sought by the plaintiff can influence a personal injury claim timetable. Your Auburn bicycle accident lawyer can provide a reasonable estimate of how your case is likely to unfold.
Q: Is It Worth Hiring an Auburn Bicycle Accident Attorney?
A: An experienced legal team handling your case means you can recover with peace of mind. Your attorney will ensure every channel of compensation is investigated on your behalf to enhance your final recovery. They can also provide valuable guidance when navigating your case proceedings. Ultimately, you are most likely to reach a favorable outcome for your case when you have reliable legal counsel advising you.
The Kreeger Law Firm has years of experience handling bicycle accident claims for clients in Auburn and surrounding communities. Our firm understands the stress and uncertainty that any bicycle accident cause for a victim and their family, and it’s natural to have many pressing legal questions in this situation. To discuss your case with an Auburn bicycle accident attorney who can get the answers you need, contact the Kreeger Law Firm and schedule your consultation with our firm.
