Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont support victims injured in right-turn bicycle accidents. If you or a loved one are suffering from injuries you received in a right-turn bicycle accident, the experienced accident attorneys of Fremont are here to help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Bicyclist Laws in Fremont Bicycle Right-Turn Accidents
When a motorist makes a right turn in front of a bicyclist, causing them to crash into the vehicle, this is known as a “right hook” maneuver. The maneuvers usually occur at intersections, boxing bicyclists in with no safety outlet if they can’t stop in time. An impact with a vehicle making a right turn often results in severe or permanent injuries, which sometimes can lead to death, depending on the severity of the injuries.
Due to bicyclists being so vulnerable on the road, California Vehicle Code section 21200(a) gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities on the roadway as motorists. Section 21202 of the California Vehicle Code goes on to discuss certain situations when a bicyclist is traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic. If a bicyclist’s speed could potentially impede traffic, they must ride as “close as practicable” to the right curb or edge of the roadway. However, there are exceptions when bicyclists are permitted to use the entire lane of traffic. These exceptions include:
- Overtaking and passing another bicycle or motor vehicle traveling in the same direction as the bicyclist
- Preparing to make a left turn at an intersection, a private road, or a driveway
- Avoiding hazards or dangers on the far right side of the roadway
- Approaching an area where a right turn is permitted
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Right-Turn Bicycle Accident in Fremont?
If you are involved in a right-turn bicycle accident in Fremont due to a vehicle making an unsafe left turn, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a bicycle accident attorney. One of the initial steps of recovering damages from your accident will be to prove the other driver committed an illegal right turn. An attorney can help you prove this by conducting a formal investigation. An attorney’s investigation includes collecting evidence such as:
- Police accident reports
- Taking witness statements
- Retrieving traffic footage
- Collecting camera footage from surrounding businesses or neighborhoods where the accident occurred
However, it is important to note you most likely won’t need an attorney in a right-turn bicycle accident if:
- The accident is minor with no apparent damage
- Your injuries are minor scrapes or small bruises
- The other party admits fault and pays for damages
You should contact an attorney after a bicycle right-turn accident if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties.
- Liability: You’re concerned about your liability limits, insurance status, or lack of insurance. An attorney can provide you with legal options and speak on your behalf.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
Dealing with Insurers After a Fremont Bicycle Right-Turn Accident
When it comes to bicycle right-turn accidents, insurance companies will not hesitate to shift blame onto the bicyclist for causing the accident. So, for example, let’s say you’re biking through Fremont’s Central District and you’re going from Guardino to Stevenson. All of a sudden a large pick-up truck takes a right turn without signaling or checking the bike lane and causes you to crash into them at a high speed, resulting in a serious head injury.
A representative from the pick-truck driver’s insurance company will most likely contact you shortly after the accident. While they may seem concerned, they will be looking to get you to give a statement that accepts some liability for the accident. They will even try to use your words against you, or get you to admit that your injuries are not that serious.
In these situations, it is recommended to NEVER admit fault. In fact, you do not have to speak with any insurance company representative if you do not want to. We can do that for you. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont when dealing with insurers after a Fremont bicycle right-turn accident.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in Fremont?
A bicycle right-turn accident settlement is the most effective recourse to pursuing justice for the damages done to your life due to the carelessness of a reckless driver. However, every accident is different, so there is no average amount of compensation bicycle accident victims can expect to receive. Compensation can be determined by the severity of your damages. Damages are calculated based on your economic damages and non-economic damages, which include:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of income, as well as the reduction in your earning capacity you’ve suffered from your accident
- Cost of living with your injury, such as making your home disability accessible, purchasing a wheelchair or crutches, hiring a nurse or housekeeper
- Damage done to your property during the accident
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Stress and anxiety due to the nature of your accident
Other factors that will impact the value of your settlement include:
- Your age and earning potential: the lost income is reached by combining the victim’s life expectancy and their earning potential if the accident has rendered you unable to work.
- Whether or not you’re found partially responsible for the accident: California is a “shared fault” state and accident victims can be assigned a percentage of blame for the accident, thus reducing the amount of compensation by that specific percentage.
- Insurance policy limits of the at-fault party: drivers are required to have insurance and most do. However, most car insurance policies have caps. So, if the cap is met, then you’ll have to resort to other alternatives to get the necessary compensation.
Contact a Bicycle Right-Turn Accident Lawyer in Fremont
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Fremont, the Fremont bicycle accident attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you need. We know how traumatic and overwhelming a bicycle accident can be to accident victims and their families. That’s why we’ll exercise every avenue of the law to get you compensated for the full extent of your damages. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.