Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Many Californians ride bicycles recreationally or as their primary mode of transportation. But riding a bicycle can be dangerous when other drivers are not exercising caution on the road. Bicycle accidents can lead to traumatic injuries when they are struck by a vehicle. A bicycle accident can cause extreme physical and emotion toll on a person, along with all the medical bills that come with it. The Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Office of Kasra Parsad will help you deal with the insurance company and get you the compensation you need for your bicycle accident injuries.
How Do Bicycle Accidents Happen?
A bicycle accident can happen in numerous scenarios. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, failing to yield the right of way is the highest factor in fatal bike crashes, followed by bicyclists not being visible. If your bicycle accident happened due to any of the following breaches of duty, you may have a personal injury claim against the person who caused your injuries:
Defective Bicycle
When you purchase a bicycle, you can reasonably expect there are no mechanical defects. Sadly, that is not always the case. Sometimes the manufacturer of a bicycle will produce a bicycle that has defective parts, such as poor breaks, faulty tires, or some other issue that can cause an accident. If you were unable to control your bicycle and caused an accident due to a defect by the manufacturer, you may be entitled to a claim.
Disobeying Traffic Laws
Drivers disobeying traffic laws can lead to bicycle accidents. Drivers who fail to stop at a stop sign or fail to use their turn signals will inevitably cause a collision with a bicyclist. These crashes can be preventable if a driver exercises due care, but that is not the case every time.
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver will cause an accident. Drivers can be distracted for various reasons, such as using their phone while driving, being too tired, eating while driving, or any other conduct that takes their eyes and attention off the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is too common in California. Bicyclists and other motorists expect drivers to exercise reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle. Sadly, some drivers fail to act reasonably and get behind the wheel while drunk or high on drugs. Intoxicated driving is an egregious form of negligence and these drivers should be held accountable for their reckless actions that cause harm.
Unsafe Roads
Roads can be unsafe for various reasons – weather, poor maintenance, or other hazards. While these accidents can be unavoidable due to the condition of the road, you may still have a claim if someone’s negligence caused the road conditions that caused your accident.
Unsafe Speed Conditions
The main goal of speed limits is to enhance safety by reducing risks from speeding drivers. A driver who disobeys these simple rules of the road can be held liable for their disregard of posted speed limits.
Speak with a Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer from the Law Office of Kasra Parsad today to learn more about your case and whether your bicycle accident warrants a personal injury claim. You never know how a competent lawyer might be able to help you, so there is nothing to lose by getting in touch with our office. Our complimentary consultation comes at no cost and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay a cent unless we can recover for you.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Every year in the United States, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die, and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on the roads. Based on data collected by the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were 72 bicycle crashes in Sonoma County in 2021 – with 1 death and 77 injuries. Bicycle accident victims have to leave with their injuries for the rest of their lives. On top of the physical injuries they suffer from being in an accident, some bicyclists have to deal with the emotional and mental trauma they sustained for the rest of their lives. Our Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer helps injured clients with all types of personal injuries arising from bicycle accident claims:
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- Back injuries
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- Bone fractures
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- Brain injuries
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- Broken bones
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- Burns
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- Concussions
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- Head injuries
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- Major lacerations
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- Neck injuries
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- Permanent disabilities
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- Scarring and disfigurement
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- Soft tissue injuries
Compensation For Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Each bicycle accident is different from the last. Because an accident will vary based on the situation, so too will the injuries and damages a bicyclist suffered. Whether your claim is successful rests on various factors. These factors will determine the merits of your claim and impact the amount of compensation you can recover after being in an accident. The following are some damages you may be able to recover after your bicycle accident:
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- Medical expenses
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- Rehabilitation costs
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- Future/Past medical expenses
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- Lost income
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- Diminished earning capacity
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Along with physical injuries, we help clients recover damages for their nonphysical injuries. In addition to their physical pain and economic losses, plaintiffs in California can seek compensation for their mental, emotional, and psychological suffering. The Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Office of Kasra Parsad can help you seek a just amount for your pain and suffering, emotional damages, grief, and distress after a bicycle accident.
How Long Do You Have To Bring a Claim?
California law provides that plaintiffs have two years to file a claim for injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. If a bicycle accident involved a fatal death, two years is also the limit for filing a wrongful death claim.
If, however, you are only seeking damages related to repairing your bicycle, California law gives plaintiffs three years to file a claim. As soon as possible after an accident, you should reach our Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyers.
What To Do After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident in Santa Rosa, it may be hard to think clearly. But there are important steps you can take immediately following the accident to help build a strong claim. These tips can affect the outcome of your claim, so it is important to follow these tips to avoid any disputes about liability and damages. After a slip and fall accident, take the following steps:
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- Call the police and report the accident. Make sure the officer creates a report, then ask for a copy when it is ready.
- If any cameras captured the accident, obtain a copy for your recovery.
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- Take pictures of the at-fault driver’s license, insurance, license plate, and vehicle.
- Do not accept fault.
- Examine the scene for dangerous conditions.
- Take many photographs of the accident, including property damage, your injuries, weather conditions, the road conditions, and the person who hit you.
- Collect contact information from any eyewitness who may have seen the accident.
- Go to the hospital for medical care.
- Make sure to tell the doctor about every part of your body that feels pain. Do not minimize or leave out any of your injuries.
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- If given, follow your doctor’s treatment instructions, and do not miss any future doctor appointments.
- Document the accident while it is fresh in your head. Afterward, keep a journal documenting your pain and injuries and your recovery process.
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- Before speaking with a lawyer, do not speak to an insurance adjuster or accept any sort of offer from the insurance company.
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- Get off social media. In the alternative, make your posts private.
- Contact the Law Office of Kasra Parsad to discuss your claim.
How Can a Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help?
The last thing you want to deal with after a serious bicycle wreck is fighting the insurance company over fair compensation for your harm. It can be tempting to accept the first offer the insurance company throws your way when your injuries are throbbing, bills are piling up, and you’re missing work and not making an income. The insurance company is looking to protect their company’s profits. They accomplish this goal by offering you a lowball offer that will not fully compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. Whatever the insurance company may tell you, they likely are not on your side when you file a claim against them.
As soon as possible, you’ll want to contact our Santa Rosa personal injury attorney to assess your options. You should never accept the insurance company’s first offer, let alone speak to the insurance adjuster, without consulting with a bicycle accident attorney. Let our qualified attorneys help you recover the fair and full compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.