Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships. As cycling grows in popularity in California, more cyclists are involved in accidents with motor vehicles, often leading to life-altering consequences. Despite laws designed to protect cyclists, negligence by motorists is a leading cause of bicycle accidents. If you’ve been injured in a cycling collision, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process, hold negligent parties accountable, and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

At Knapp Moss, we understand the unique challenges that cyclists face on California roads. Our team of dedicated attorneys is committed to fighting for the rights of injured cyclists and securing the compensation they deserve for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle accident claims can be complex, involving multiple parties, conflicting evidence, and disputes with insurance companies. Injured cyclists often face resistance from insurers, who may try to reduce or deny claims. A skilled bicycle accident lawyer can help by gathering evidence, proving fault, and negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf. Here’s why working with a lawyer is essential:

• Proving Negligence: In many bicycle accidents, proving that the driver was at fault can be challenging. Your lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence (such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports), and build a strong case to prove the driver’s negligence.
• Maximizing Compensation: Bicycle accident injuries often lead to significant financial losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care. A lawyer can accurately calculate the total damages you’ve suffered and fight for full compensation, including pain and suffering.
• Handling Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether, especially in bicycle accidents where they may argue the cyclist was at fault. An attorney will handle negotiations with the insurer, ensuring that you are treated fairly and receive the compensation you deserve.
• Understanding Bicycle Laws: California has specific laws that govern the rights of cyclists, including rules regarding bike lanes, helmets, and right of way. An experienced lawyer can use these laws to your advantage and ensure that you are fully protected under the law.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents are often caused by the negligence of drivers, poor road conditions, or mechanical issues with the bicycle itself. Understanding the common causes of a bike wreck can help build a strong case for compensation. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted may fail to notice cyclists on the road, leading to collisions. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles.
• Failure to Yield: Many bicycle accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to cyclists, particularly at intersections, crosswalks, or when making turns. These incidents often result in severe injuries to the cyclist.
• Dooring Accidents: Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a cyclist, causing the cyclist to collide with the door. Dooring accidents are common in urban areas and can result in serious injuries such as broken bones or head trauma.
• Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit are less likely to notice cyclists and may have less time to react to avoid a collision. Speeding also increases the severity of the impact in the event of a crash, leading to more serious injuries for cyclists.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers who fail to check their blind spots or signal when changing lanes can collide with cyclists, particularly in areas where bike lanes are present.
• Poor Road Conditions: Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to road hazards such as potholes, debris, and uneven pavement. In some cases, the government or entity responsible for maintaining the road may be liable for accidents caused by poor road conditions.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in accidents with motor vehicles due to the lack of protection compared to drivers. As a result, injuries sustained in bicycle accidents can be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even when wearing a helmet, cyclists can suffer traumatic brain injuries in an accident. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairments, memory loss, and personality changes, and may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Bicycle accidents can cause damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Victims of spinal cord injuries often face lifelong medical care and adaptive equipment needs.
• Broken Bones: Cyclists involved in collisions with motor vehicles frequently suffer broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries may require surgery and long-term physical therapy to recover.
• Internal Injuries: The force of a collision can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs or internal bleeding. These injuries can be life-threatening and may not be immediately apparent, making prompt medical attention critical.
• Road Rash: When a cyclist is thrown from their bike and skids along the pavement, they can suffer from road rash—abrasions and cuts caused by contact with the road. In severe cases, road rash may require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring.
• Facial Injuries: Accidents can result in serious facial injuries, including fractures, dental damage, or lacerations. These injuries often require reconstructive surgery and can cause long-term disfigurement.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, taking the right steps immediately can help protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what to do:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away but can be life-threatening.
2. Report the Accident: Call the police and file an accident report, even if the driver appears cooperative. The police report will serve as an important piece of evidence in your case and may help establish fault.
3. Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, damage to your bicycle, and any other vehicles involved. Collect contact information from witnesses and the driver involved in the accident.
4. Preserve Evidence: Keep your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing as they may serve as evidence in your claim. Do not repair your bike until after your lawyer has had a chance to examine it.
5. Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer: The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Your attorney will begin investigating your case, gathering evidence, and advising you on the best course of action.

Compensation in Bicycle Accident Cases

Victims of bicycle accidents may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the severity of their injuries and the impact on their lives. Common forms of compensation in bicycle accident cases include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for past and future medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any ongoing treatment required due to the accident.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for lost income. In cases of long-term or permanent disability, compensation for loss of future earning capacity may also be available.
• Pain and Suffering: Bicycle accidents often result in significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to cover the non-economic impact of your injuries, such as mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property Damage: You can seek compensation for the repair or replacement of your damaged bicycle, helmet, and other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the driver’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s how a lawyer can help:

• Investigating the Accident: Your lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the crash occurred and who was at fault.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in bicycle accident cases. A lawyer will handle negotiations on your behalf and ensure that you are not pressured into accepting a low settlement offer.
• Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court to secure the compensation you deserve.
• Proving Liability: Proving negligence in a bicycle accident can be challenging, especially if the driver disputes fault. Your lawyer will build a strong case to prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.

Why Choose Knapp Moss?

At Knapp Moss, we are passionate about protecting the rights of injured cyclists in California. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling bicycle accident cases and are committed to securing the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Conclusion

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Knapp Moss today for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.