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Have you or someone you love been injured in a bicycle accident in Riverside County? If the accident resulted from negligent motorists, you can call a Riverside bicycle accident lawyer. At Nordean Law, we provide a free case evaluation and a confidential consultation.
But before that, you need to understand a few details of bicycle accidents in Riverside so that you can confidently proceed on the journey towards negotiation.
Below, we have outlined the causes of bicycle accidents, steps to take post-accident, regulations and insurance guidelines of the company.
Understanding the most common causes of bicycle accidents can help us determine if road safety precautions can protect cyclists. Several factors play a role in bicycle accidents, and here are a few of the common causes:
Due to the small size and lack of protective shields, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to distracted drivers of bigger vehicles. A distracted driver may not have adequate time to respond to cycle maneuvers or may do rash driving endangering cyclists on the road.
Over time, all bicycles will have mechanical issues. Tire wear, brake issues, and crooked handlebars can cause accidents on the road. The incident turns catastrophic in the presence of other bigger vehicles on the road.
Cars turning left or right without noticing the cyclist cause the rider to crash to the side of the car.
Likewise, a door opening at the bicycle lane is also scary. When opening the car doors, people rarely look for oncoming cyclists behind them. This can cause serious collisions.
Bicycle accident injuries range from minor skin abrasions to severe injuries. A bicycle accident can put you at a much higher risk of injury than a four-wheeler crash.
Below, we have listed some of the injuries caused by a bicycle accident:
Wearing a helmet might protect the head from injury, but it cannot protect the bicyclist’s cheeks, jaw, mouth, and face. Since the structure of the face is fragile, a traumatic strike with the pavement or other objects can cause extensive damage to the facial components.
A collision with a car or any bigger vehicle can throw the riders onto the pavement. As the upper body is usually exposed during the cycle ride, the impact can break the individual’s rib. The bicyclist may need months or years to recover from this injury.
Bruises can be serious, causing swelling and pain. A bicyclist might suffer such an injury if they fall from the bike or are struck by a vehicle. If there is bruising around a certain part of the body, it could indicate specific types of injuries. For example, bruising around the chest could indicate broken ribs. Likewise, bruising around the eyes may indicate an effect on the skull.
Internal bleeding occurs when the cyclist’s body part collides with a moving vehicle, usually at high speed. The sheer force damages the blood vessels inside the body. Depending on the location and the severity, the internal injury can cause weakness, organ failure, stroke, and even death.
When a cyclist collides with a bigger vehicle at high speed, they can sustain lacerations. Apart from severe blood loss, lacerations can leave the victim with disfiguring scars.
Safety is a must when riding a bicycle. Once you seek medical attention, it is important to know the next step.This can make a difference in how well you protect your rights. We have highlighted a checklist to help you make the right decisions in the aftermath.
The insurance company focuses on saving money by settling the accident in less amount, taking advantage of the vulnerable condition of the victim. Before accepting any settlement offers from other drivers’ insurance companies, consult a Riverside personal injury attorney. They can help review the terms to get you the lawful compensation.
After a harrowing experience, you would want to unwind from every worldly activity for some time. However, the time limit is something you need to consider to take control of your compensation. California’s statute of limitation for personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, is generally two years from the accident date. Your case will be dismissed if you don’t file a claim within this deadline.
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations:
For a bike accident settlement, one of the most important steps is to collect evidence. Some evidence is straightforward, like your medical bills, repair bills, records of lost wages, and receipts of other expenses caused by the accident. On the other hand, the calculation can be complex for intangible proofs like pain, suffering, and mental stress. For an accurate assessment, we suggest you maintain a diary where you write everything you have been experiencing post-crash. A personal injury lawyer experienced with bicycle accident cases will help you determine a reasonable compensation amount for damages endured.
As you figure out the settlement amount required to cover your damage, your lawyer will begin negotiating with the driver’s insurance company on your behalf. If you are not planning to hire an attorney, you can negotiate for the compensation amount yourself. However, the insurance adjuster is likely to take you too lightly and manipulate you to accidentally admit your fault. Even when they offer the compensation, it will be a settlement amount that is too low. The amount of your compensation will highly depend on how well you can negotiate. So, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be able to handle the tactful approach of the insurance adjuster and turn the table towards your side.
The lawyer sends a demand letter mentioning the lawful compensation amount, to which the insurance company will respond in 30 to 45 days. In case the at fault driver denies your claim, you have legal rights to pursue damages. Your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the at-fault party/parties.
With the rising medical bills, repair costs, and emergency expenses, we understand your urgency when it comes to compensation. However, as each personal injury case is different and has unique circumstances, there is no average timeframe for bicycle accident claims. Depending on the circumstances, these cases can be settled in a week or may extend to one or more years to resolve. This happens if the case goes to trial.
The timeline for settlement depends on various factors:
Your high expenses after the accident might require you to use your savings and take loans to arrange money, So, it is important to know the timeline for your settlement.
We have highlighted a few factors that can help you estimate the timeline for your settlement:
Usually, serious injuries from accidents tend to produce larger settlements as they require intense care, prolonged doctor follow-ups, and medicinal treatment. However, it is important to wait for a certain improvement in your health to estimate exact medical expenses. The time for settlement, therefore, depends on the seriousness of your injury.
Investigating an injury claim can take a few weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the case. Your lawyer has to interview witnesses, hire investigators to track down underlying causes and search for evidence that supports your case.
A personal injury claim involves discussions between legal representatives of both sides, consisting of mediation, a lot of informal discussions, and arbitration. This is usually a tedious and time-consuming process, which becomes a major factor in the timeline.
You will receive three types of compensation for the Riverside Bicycle Accident Crash. They are Economic Damage, Non-economic damage and punitive damage.
The economic damages include medical bills, bicycle repair or replacement charges, loss of personal property, and earning capacity.
Under non-economic damage, you will get reparation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and emotional distress.
Likewise, the at-fault party also has to pay punitive damages for committing a wrong or offense and is ordered to pay on top of compensation.
From considerately evaluating your case to tactically negotiating for your justice, our lawyers help you at every step. The legal team of Nordean Law is empowered to handle the most complicated bicycle accident claims.
Our lawyers work with accident reconstructionists, experts and other eyewitnesses to find the underlying cause that can help you win the case. We use our extensive resources to find out the nitty-gritty details of the case to prove the fault.
Attorney Sam Nordean has made a commitment to helping victims get back what was taken away from them. He fights for people that are injured and can’t fight for themselves.
“Going to court or negotiating a settlement is not akin to my client winning a lottery ticket. It’s about balancing the scales; it’s what they’re owed.”
Sam Nordean
We don’t charge until we win the case for you. This means you don’t need to pay any up-front costs with a contract; if there is a successful outcome and financial recovery, we will claim a percentage of that recovery.
Having an experienced legal expert by your side will help you make the right decisions on your journey to compensation. You can come to our office or request a time for a free consultation session. Contact us or check out the location to visit us.
We’re proud to have helped countless clients across California achieve justice and compensation.
"After my car accident in Irvine, I didn’t know where to turn. This team took care of everything, from dealing with insurance to getting me a fair settlement. Highly recommend!"
"I was injured in a truck accident on the freeway near Riverside. They fought hard for me and won my case in record time. Professional and caring every step of the way."
"Nordean Law is working in my injury case and can't thank them enough. Sam and his team have been reaching and keeping me informed with all pending matters. I appreciate that because with all that is currently going in right now, I need some stress off my shoulders. Thank you Nordean Law!!!"
"The best lawyer in the area! He and his team will take great care of you. They are very good with taking questions and answering them without lying to you. I will use Sam and his firm for any cases I might encounter. Highly recommend!!"
"If you are worried about your claim you should contact Nordean Law. Sam Nordean and his team are not only true professionals with integrity, but also sincerely care about their clients well being and state of mind throughout the process."
