Chino Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Chino Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycles are one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transportation. Residents on Chino roadways, such as Telephone Avenue and Eucalyptus Avenue, enjoy the convenience of cycling to work or cycling for exercise every day. Even though cycling is good for your health, cyclists face several risks when sharing the road with motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, a Chino bicycle accident lawyer can help.

At Amendt Law, we can help you understand your rights and seek compensation for your injuries after a bicycle accident. Bicycle accidents can easily result in severe, life-altering injuries that can result in lost work hours and devastating medical expenses. Our qualified, knowledgeable legal team has served residents of Chino, Pomona, and the surrounding area for years, bringing solid legal advice and strategy to clients with personal injury cases across San Bernardino County.

Common Factors in Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists and motorists share similar rights and responsibilities on California roadways, with a few crucial differences. For example, bicyclists may not travel on state highways and freeways and must use bike lanes wherever they are provided. Accidents between cyclists and motorists can happen for several reasons, including:

• Distracted driving. Motorists who text and drive, use navigation devices, or are distracted in any other way are more prone to accidents.
• Speeding. Speed is a major factor in all kinds of accidents and is responsible for at least 29% of all traffic fatalities.
• DUIs. Driving under the influence is a significant factor in accidents, with over 52 accidents in Chino during 2023 involving alcohol as a factor, according to the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
• Dooring accidents in which a motorist or passenger opens a car door in the path of a cyclist.
• E-bike accidents, which involve a motorized bike and a car.
• Left and right-turn collisions where drivers fail to yield to cyclists, especially at intersections.

Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Severe injuries are common in bicycle accidents, as collisions between a car and a cyclist involve a high degree of force. Injuries can include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralyzation
• Internal injuries and internal bleeding
• Broken bones and severe abrasions (road rash)
• Severe psychological trauma and PTSD

It is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional after being injured in a bicycle accident, as some potentially life-threatening injuries do not seem immediately apparent. Even if you feel fine, seek out medical attention as soon as possible, and document the extent of your injuries to help support your claim.

Liability in Bicycle Accidents and What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident

California utilizes a pure comparative fault rule, which is how the courts determine the percentage of liability each party in an accident carries. If a cyclist is partially at fault for the accident, their compensation will be reduced by that percentage.

It’s vital to gather as much evidence as possible after your accident to help support your bicycle accident case. If you are able, take photographs or video coverage of the accident site and any damage that occurs to your bicycle or the other vehicle, as photographic evidence can help to prove how the impact occurred.

Speak to any witnesses who saw the accident, and gather personal information from them, as witness statements are beneficial to your case and can help establish the other party’s negligence. Call the police to report the accident, even if it seems minor, and ask for a copy of the police report.

After you have sought medical attention, contact a Chino bicycle accident attorney, who can begin helping you build your case and can investigate the details of your accident and provide important guidance when dealing with insurance adjusters to help protect your right to a fair settlement. California has a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury claims, so it’s vital to pursue legal action quickly.

Compensation for Bicycle Accidents

Compensation for personal injury cases in California, including bicycle accidents, usually consists of economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that can be quantified, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage or replacement costs.

Non-economic damages address non-quantifiable hardships, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, diminished earning potential, and other circumstances that cannot be assigned a concrete financial value. Non-economic damages can be significant and constitute the majority of damages awarded in a settlement.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, the injuries you sustain could impact your life for years to come, so it’s crucial to hire a bicycle accident lawyer early to protect your financial future as well as mitigate the costs of your physical recovery.

FAQs About Bicycle Accident Law

Who Is at Fault if You Hit a Cyclist?

Fault for bicycle accidents in California is determined through the evidence available. Motorists who hit cyclists are not always 100% at-fault, and California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that both parties share in the liability for the accident, and the percentage of fault is assigned once evidence is investigated and analyzed.

How Much Compensation for a Bicycle Accident?

Compensation for bicycle accidents depends on the severity of the injuries and the degree of liability both parties hold. If you are a cyclist who pursues legal action against the motorist who struck you, as a plaintiff, your compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault you are responsible for, although in most bicycle accident cases, plaintiffs who are injured usually receive a settlement.

Do Bicycles Have the Right-of-Way in California?

Bicycles do not always have the right-of-way in California. Cyclists must obey the same traffic rules as motorists, with a few exceptions. Right-of-way rules for cyclists are the same as they are for drivers: yield to oncoming traffic before executing a turn, obey all traffic signals and signs, and signal to let other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians know what you are doing.

What Are the Four Proofs of Negligence?

To establish negligence, a plaintiff in a bicycle injury case must prove duty of care, which is the obligation one person has to another to avoid harm. Next, a plaintiff must prove breach of duty, which proves that the defendant violated their duty of care. Next comes causation, in which the plaintiff must prove that the actions of the defendant caused them harm. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s actions.

Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

At Amendt Law, we’ve been advocating for the rights of the injured in the Chino area for years. Our knowledge, compassionate approach, and sound legal strategy can help you receive the settlement you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.