Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont support victims who have suffered broken bones in a bicycle accident. If you or a loved one are suffering from broken bones due to the careless actions of another or a hazardous condition, 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.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Broken Bones in a Fremont Bicycle Accident?
If you suffered broken bones from a bicycle accident in Fremont due to a careless driver or unsafe road conditions, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a bicycle accident attorney. However, it is important to note you most likely won’t need an attorney in a 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 broken bones bicycle accident if:
- Your injuries are serious: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- 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.
An important step of recovering damages from your bicycle accident will be to prove your accident resulted from a careless act. Insurance companies are well known for downplaying injuries when it it comes to compensation, but if your claim is undeniable, then the liable party’s insurance will have no choice but to compensate you. An attorney can help you prove this by conducting a formal investigation into your accident, as well as all potentially liable parties. 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
Right-of-Way Laws for Bicyclists in Fremont
California Vehicle Code 21200 awards cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. This entitles bicyclists to the right-of-way just like all the other drivers on the road. However, it is important to remain aware of motorists as not all drivers recognizes this law, or respects the rights of bikers on the road. Other laws outlining the rights of bicyclists on the road include:
- California Vehicle Code 21209: this law prohibits other drivers from driving in the bike lane except to park in permitted areas, or when leaving or entering the roadway.
- California Vehicle Code 22517: this statute covers dooring. Dooring is when a driver opens their vehicle door into the path of an oncoming rider. Under this law, no driver shall open the door of their vehicle on the side that is available to moving traffic unless it can be done in a reasonably safe manner and without interfering with moving traffic.
- Bicyclists in traffic: cyclists are required to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible except when they’re trying to avoid a hazard, turn left, or when passing. They are also required to signal their movements when turning or preparing to change lanes.
- Riding on sidewalks and crosswalks: California allows cyclists to ride legally in crosswalks. Some cities permit cyclists to ride on sidewalks, but some cities have banned cyclists from using the sidewalks. In Fremont, no one over the age of 16 is permitted to ride their bicycle on the sidewalk according to the City of Fremont Bicycle Code.
What is the Typical Compensation for Broken Bones in Fremont Bicycle Accident?
There is no set dollar amount for the trauma and pain experienced by bicycle accident victims. However, an experienced accident attorney will help you understand the value of your case by calculating your economic damages (such as lost wages and medical bills) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety). These damages combined include:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Fremont
If you or a loved one have suffered broken bones in a bicycle accident in Fremont, the bicycle accident attorneys of Fremont can get you the compensation you need to recover from your physical, mental, and financial damages. Our firm has years of experience in liability law and will aggressively pursue a successful outcome for your personal injury claim. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There is no charge for our services and you will not be charge a cent until we’ve won your case.