If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence while you were riding a bicycle, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. A bicycle accident, especially those involving a collision between a bike and an automobile, can cause serious and permanent injuries.
An experienced lawyer can help you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. Contact a San Diego bicycle accident attorney to learn more about the process of filing a lawsuit.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
A bicycle is a vehicle, but unlike a car, it doesn’t come standard with a steel cage protecting the driver, nor does it come equipped with airbags or seat belts. Even the helmets that most riders wear offer poor protection against the traumatic injuries that can accompany a bicycle accident. Serious injuries can occur from a bicycle crash, including:
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Closed head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
Bicycle riders can be seriously injured or wrongfully killed if they are struck by cars while riding on the road.
Bicycle Crash Negligence
Although they are known as bicycle accidents, bike crashes are almost always caused by negligence, meaning one of the parties involved failed to live up to expected level of care needed to prevent injury. This may mean that the rider didn’t exercise proper caution, but it often means that the driver of an automobile wasn’t paying attention or was acting recklessly.
Examples of driver negligence can include:
- Failure to see a bike rider
- Failure to yield to a bicyclist
- Opening a car door in the path of a bike
- Cutting it too close to the bike lane
- Changing lanes without looking
Negligence can also involve defective parts, faulty repairs, road hazards, or poorly maintained riding trails. In those cases the liability for the accident may extend to manufacturers, repair shops or government entities.
Contact a San Diego Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a member of your family has suffered a serious injury from a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You may not be sure who was at fault, or what qualifies as negligence, but a skilled lawyer will be able to determine who is to blame, and can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
A personal injury lawsuit can compensate you for lost income, medical expenses and your pain and suffering. Contact The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego bicycle accident lawyer.