Pomona Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Pomona Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycles are environmentally friendly and healthy alternatives to motor vehicles. Many people living in the Pomona area and surrounding communities in California enjoy riding bikes for exercise, pleasure, and as an alternative form of transportation. Unfortunately, while most bicyclists can ride without issue, others are not so fortunate and experience devastating bicycle accidents. If you’ve been involved in one, a Pomona bicycle accident lawyer can help you.

A lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue the personal injury compensation you deserve.

Legal Counsel for Bike Accident Claims in Pomona

If a relative or you recently experienced a bicycle accident, you believe happened because of another party’s actions, a Pomona bicycle accident attorney is a good resource to consult when pursuing legal action against the at-fault driver.

Bicycle accidents can easily result in life-changing injuries and complex legal proceedings. If you want a chance of recovering your damages from this type of incident, you must seek legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible.

Benefits of Legal Representation for Your Bike Accident Claim in Pomona

It is technically possible to pursue compensation for bicycle accident damages without an attorney. Unfortunately, many victims of these incidents worry about the cost of hiring legal counsel when they are already struggling with the economic fallout of a damaging accident. However, it’s vital to understand that the right attorney can make an incredible impact on the quality of your recovery and the final compensation you obtain from an at-fault driver.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt have extensive professional experience handling difficult personal injury claims for clients in the Pomona area. We know how damaging a bicycle accident can be and the stress and uncertainty the victim will likely face as they assess the resulting damage.

Our goal in every case we accept is to help our client understand their legal options and take full advantage of them to maximize their recovery. We’ll help you explore your insurance claim options if available after a bicycle accident and then guide you through filing your personal injury claim.

Common Causes of California Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers in California, with a few important differences. Bicyclists may not ride on highways or freeways in California and should use bike lanes whenever possible. Bicycle accidents can happen for many different reasons, including:

• Distracted driving, like texting, using navigation apps, or engaging in other distractions behind the wheel
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Road defects and poor maintenance, like potholes, uneven pavement, debris, or faded lane markings
• Left-turn and right-turn collisions, where drivers fail to yield to bicyclists while turning, especially at intersections or driveways
• Dooring accidents, where a driver or passenger opens a car door into a bicyclist’s path
• E-bike accidents

No matter if your bicycle accident happened on Garey Avenue, Holt Avenue, or Pomona Boulevard, proving fault for the incident is the first essential step toward recovering compensation for the damages you suffered.

Our Pomona bicycle accident attorneys can help you obtain physical evidence from the scene of the crash, traffic camera recordings, cell phone records, and statements from eyewitnesses to support your case. Once you have established fault for the incident, you can proceed with your civil claim against the party who caused your bicycle accident.

Recovering From Bicycle Accident Damages in California

Every California driver must have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. However, an expansive auto insurance policy may not fully cover the damages a plaintiff suffered from the policyholder’s actions. Your Pomona bicycle accident lawyer can be a valuable asset when you must file an insurance claim after a bicycle incident, but they will be especially vital if you must pursue a personal injury claim as well.

The at-fault driver’s insurance may cover some of your property losses and medical expenses after the accident, but it is unlikely to provide full compensation for the entire scope of your claimable damages. California law allows you to seek full recovery for all economic damages sustained from the defendant’s actions as well as recompense for your non-economic damages, namely pain and suffering.

Economic Damages

Economic damages claimable in bicycle accident cases typically include:

• Property damage, such as the cost of repairing or replacing the victim’s bicycle and other property damaged in the accident.
• Medical expenses. The plaintiff can seek full payment for any medical expenses incurred by the defendant. This includes immediate medical costs following the bicycle accident as well as anticipated future treatment costs for ongoing symptom management following initial recovery.
• Lost income. The victim of a bicycle accident may be unable to work while recovering and may be compelled to use accrued vacation time and other paid leave. In addition, some victims are left unable to work at all because of permanent disabilities. Your Pomona bicycle accident attorney can potentially help you recover compensation for lost income and the money you would be expected to earn in the future.

While the economic damages in a bicycle accident claim may exceed the plaintiff’s initial expectations, the bulk of their recovery is likely to be pain and suffering compensation, especially if they suffered any permanent harm. California law does not limit how much a plaintiff can seek in pain and suffering compensation for a bicycle accident. However, their attorney will help them determine a fair amount based on how severe their injuries were and whether they caused long-lasting or permanent medical issues from them.

Negligence

It’s important to remember that California enforces a pure comparative negligence rule. If a plaintiff bears partial liability for causing their claimed damages, they lose a percentage of their case award to reflect their shared fault. Therefore, the sooner you speak with an experienced Pomona bicycle accident lawyer, the better your chances of minimizing any comparative fault you may bear and maximizing the compensation you secure from your civil action.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Pomona: Checklist

Taking prompt and organized action after a bicycle accident not only protects your health but also preserves important evidence that can safeguard your legal rights. By following a clear, step-by-step checklist, you can handle the immediate aftermath with confidence and set the stage for a strong bicycle accident claim. Those steps include:

1. Ensure your safety and get out of harm’s way. If you can, move yourself and your bicycle to a safe location, then check for injuries.
2. Call the police, even if the accident seems minor. A police report provides an official record of what happened and can be important when filing your bicycle accident claim or dealing with insurance companies.
3. Use your phone to take photos and videos of the crash site, including vehicle positions, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Capture details such as lighting, weather conditions, and any potholes or road hazards that may have contributed to the crash.
4. If anyone saw the accident, get their names, phone numbers, and brief statements about what they saw. Independent witnesses can help confirm fault and strengthen your case if liability is disputed.
5. Even if you feel fine, always get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, may not have immediately apparent symptoms. Seeing a doctor also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident.
6. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, but avoid giving detailed statements or accepting fault until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Stick to the facts and provide the police report number if available.
7. Keep your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing exactly as they are; don’t repair or discard anything. These items can serve as important physical evidence of the force and circumstances of the crash. Store them safely and take photos from multiple angles for your records.
8. Reach out to a Pomona bicycle accident attorney right away. An experienced lawyer can handle all communication with insurance companies, investigate the accident, and make sure your claim is filed on time.

For experienced guidance and to make sure nothing is overlooked in your bicycle accident claim, turn to the Pomona bicycle accident attorneys at Amendt Law. We’re ready to advocate for you at every stage of the process.

The Statute of Limitations in California

In California, the statute of limitations sets the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim, and that includes bicycle accidents. For most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action. If you miss this window, you give up your right to recover compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, or pain and suffering, even if you have a strong case.

If your accident involves a government entity, such as a city street, a county-maintained road, or a public bike path in Pomona, the timeline is even tighter. In these cases, you usually need to file a formal government claim within six months of the accident before you can pursue compensation. There are also exceptions, such as the delayed discovery rule, which could apply if an injury doesn’t develop right away, but these exceptions are limited and require legal help.

That’s why it’s so important to act quickly. At Amendt Law, our Pomona bicycle accident attorneys make sure claims are filed on time, that evidence is preserved, and that every detail is properly handled. Moving fast gives you the strongest chance at securing fair compensation while protecting your rights under California law.

Contact Our Pomona Bike Crash Lawyers Today

Navigating the aftermath of any personal injury is much easier if you have an experienced attorney advising you. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt have years of experience handling complex personal injury claims for clients in Pomona, including those involving bicycle accidents.

Many victims of these incidents face long-term or permanent medical complications and a host of adverse symptoms from their injuries. Unfortunately, many do not seek legal counsel when they need it most because they are unaware of their legal rights.

If a loved one or you recently experienced a bicycle accident due to the actions of another party, we can answer your most important legal questions as we guide you through your legal proceedings. Contact the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt today to schedule your consultation with an experienced and reliable Pomona bicycle accident lawyer.