California Bicycle Accident Lawyer – Michael Rehm
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Bicycles are a fun and popular form of transportation, recreation, and exercise. But unless cyclists are riding on private property or in a public park, they are sharing the road with motor vehicles and when an accident occurs, the results can be tragic.
All too often bicycle accident victims are unaware of their rights and recover little or no compensation for their injuries and losses. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you need to protect yourself from further losses after the accident.
An intelligent bicycle accident attorney, like Michael Rehm, can represent you in a bicycle accident claim and get you the settlement or judgment you deserve. Contact our office today to arrange a free case evaluation with a lawyer Michael Rehm
Bicycle Accident Statistics
Traffic accidents that involve cyclists are on the rise in California, with serious injuries and death all too frequent occurrences. With more people commuting on bikes each day, there is now a greater chance of being injured while riding. Since 2000, bicycle commuting has increased more than 40% nationally. In California, the increase has been 90%.
Even though cyclists can use special gear and equipment to improve their safety and make themselves more visible, riding a bicycle on the city streets is considerably riskier than driving a car. In fact, certain risks are inherent when riding a bicycle on the road. Statistically, most bicycle accidents are caused by drivers, followed by falling from a bicycle or being injured due to defects in the roadway.
According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015, 467,000 cyclists were injured in bicycle-related accidents and 1000 were killed. Most of these bicycle injuries and deaths occurred in urban areas between 4:00 and 8:00 pm when cyclists are commuting to and from work.
Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in California
Both cyclists and drivers have rights and need to share limited space on the road. Thus, the California Vehicle Code contains a number of important provisions regarding acceptable conduct in traffic. Drivers are required to maintain a three-foot buffer zone between themselves and cyclists. Failure to observe traffic rules such as this one often results in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
When a bicycle accident happens, the injured cyclist has the right to file a personal injury claim against those responsible for hitting them or causing the accident. These claims allow the injured cyclist to recover the cost of medical treatment for their injuries, lost wages and income, damage to their bicycle, compensation for pain and suffering, and more.
California personal injury law, however, follows the concept of comparative negligence, meaning that the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive for your injuries and losses will be discounted by your own percentage of fault for the accident. Thus, the ability to clearly establish fault is crucial to any bicycle accident claim
How an Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important that you first seek immediate medical attention. Medical care is essential to your health and evidence of this treatment can later be used as the basis of a bicycle accident claim against the party or parties responsible for your injuries.
After your injuries have been thoroughly addressed, your lawyer can assist you with preparing and filing a bicycle accident claim. An attorney can help you obtain medical records, locate witnesses, and gather the evidence you will need to establish fault and to hold those responsible fully accountable for your injuries and losses.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in California, even if you are partly at fault, we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. However, strict time limits apply to filing a claim. So, it is important to contact us as soon as possible. Call today to speak with Attorney Michael Rehm to learn how the law applies to the facts of your bicycle accident.
Bicycle Accident Resources: