Riding a bike is a popular way to get around California. It’s good for the environment and your heart, and it’s a good way to avoid traffic jams. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always watch out for cyclists and give them enough space. Every year in the United States, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die in car accidents and more than 130,000 are hurt. If you or someone you know was hurt while riding a bike, our San Diego bicycle accident lawyers can give you a free evaluation of your case and help you figure out the best way to move forward.
Causes Of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can be caused by the same kinds of things that cause car accidents, but because bikers are less protected, they have a much higher chance of getting seriously hurt or dying than drivers or passengers. In 2020, 932 bicyclists were killed when they were hit by cars. About 2% of the people who die in car accidents each year are bicyclists.
Some of the most common causes of bike crashes:
- Intersection crashes – At an intersection, a cyclist stops, but a car driver doesn’t. This leads to a rear-end crash. Most of the time, the driver can’t stop in time because they are going too fast or following too closely.
- The door crashes – A person in a car might open a door without looking if a cyclist is coming behind them. Cyclists can easily run right into the door.
- Speedy Driving – Bicyclist drives swiftly at times, so when someone suddenly comes in front it can cause an accident with that person or car. Sometimes speedy driving can lead to sidewalk crashes too.
- Road hazards – Sometimes, driving on hazardous roads can lead to crashes too. If you see a signal showing work in progress, you should not go to that road to avoid accidents.
Is Bicycle Accident Damages Recoverable?
Yes, you can get bicycle accident claims from your bicycle crash damage. You can also cover your damages from a negligent person too. After a bicycle accident, you could get serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or broken bones.
After a bicycle accident, the victim can file a claim to get these 2 things back:
- Specific/Economic Losses: Previous and future hospital expenses, loss of wages, lost potential earnings, necessary home or car alterations, maintenance services like child care costs or household and vehicle maintenance.
- General/Non-Economic Losses: Physical suffering and pain, loss of consortium, and emotional pain.
How long do I have to file a claim for bicycle accident?
In any circumstance, your choice of attorney is crucial. However, do not delay in contacting the appropriate Bicycle Accidents Lawyer. If you do so, it may become more difficult to collect evidence as time passes.
In addition, California law limits the amount of time you have to file a bicycle crash lawsuit:
- Typically, you have only six months from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit for bicycle accident claims against the government.
- If you want to sue an individual, you typically have only two years from the date of the incident for bicycle accident claims.
Hence, 2H Law Firm is here to defend your rights and help you file your bicycle accident claims. To receive compensation for your injuries Contact our Bicycle Accidents Lawyer at (619) 374-9320 to schedule a free consultation.