Causes of Bicycle Accidents

cartwrightlaw - October 20, 2022 -

Unlike motor vehicle drivers and their passengers, cyclists have very limited protection while they are out on the road. With the exception of their helmets, they are directly exposed to their surrounding environment. Therefore, if they become involved in a bicycle crash, they may fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries. When these injuries are permanent, they may cause the cyclist to experience pain for the rest of their life.

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a recent bicycle crash, it is important that you have experienced legal counsel representing you at every stage of your case. In addition to investigating your accident circumstances, the knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can help you file a claim or lawsuit and pursue the damages that you deserve for your medical expenses and other injuries. 

Our legal team will zealously advocate for your interests and help you highlight the strengths of your case while downplaying any weaknesses. We can also represent you at your jury trial and other legal proceedings and help you maximize the compensation you recover in your case.

To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorney, please reach out to our office directly.

Injuries that Accident Victims Suffer

Bicycle accident victims can suffer extremely serious injuries – especially if the impact force knocks them to the ground. Injuries that a cyclist may suffer in their accident depend upon the force of the impact, how they fall to the ground, and which body parts they strike.

One of the first steps to minimizing bicycle accident injuries is to wear a sturdy, well-constructed bicycle helmet. However, even good helmets can crack when they hit the ground with a strong amount of force. When that happens, a bicycle rider may suffer a traumatic head injury, such as a concussion. At other times, bicycle accident victims may suffer fractures, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, internal organ damage, road rash, or death.

As soon as possible after a bicycle crash, you should seek medical treatment at a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility. The medical provider on duty can take the necessary MRIs, x-rays, and other studies to diagnose your medical condition accurately. They can also render emergency treatment and make recommendations for follow-up care if necessary. While you focus on getting better, the experienced bicycle accident lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can start handling the legal aspects of your case, including gathering your medical records, obtaining your lost wage documents, and subpoenaing police reports and eyewitness statements.

Driver Negligence that Leads to Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents typically result from driver negligence. A driver is negligent when they operate their vehicle unreasonably under the circumstances. Some of the most common types of auto driver negligence that lead to bicycle crashes include:

• Violating traffic laws and regulations, including speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way to a cyclist at the appropriate time, tailgating cyclists, and failing to use turn signals when switching lanes
• Failing to watch the road carefully, such as when a driver sends a text message while driving or makes a phone call without using a hands-free Bluetooth device
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Intoxicated driving is especially dangerous because alcohol significantly impairs a driver’s abilities. It may cause blurry vision, preventing the driver from even saying a cyclist in the vicinity. It may also significantly delay a driver’s reaction time, preventing them from stopping their vehicle in time to avoid hitting a cyclist.

If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident that resulted from another driver’s negligence, you have legal options. Our skilled legal team can help you explore those options, file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and pursue the monetary compensation that you deserve.

Potential Damages in Bicycle Accident Cases

When a negligent driver causes an accident with a cyclist, the injured cyclist may recover damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The damages that a bicycle accident victim will recover depend upon the extent of their injuries, the cost of their medical treatment, and even the property damage involved. Generally speaking, a cyclist who suffers permanent injuries is eligible for greater damages than a cyclist who suffers relatively minor injuries.

Some of the most common types of compensation that injured cyclists may recover include damages for their:

• Medical expenses, including the costs of doctor appointments, surgical procedures, and physical therapy 
• Lost wages, compensating accident victims for their missed work time
• Loss of earning capacity, when the accident victim is unable to return to their same job or occupation due to the severity of their injuries
• Emotional distress, such as where the accident victim requires psychological or psychiatric care due to trauma stemming from their accident
• Permanent disability, where a medical provider determines that the cyclist suffered a permanent injury
• Past and future pain and suffering, where the accident victim has experienced – or will likely continue to experience – pain and inconvenience due to their accident-related injuries
• Loss of the ability to use a body part, such as where the accident victim suffers a permanent injury – like full or partial paralysis
• Loss of life enjoyment, where a cyclist’s injuries decrease their overall quality of life and well-being

A knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can determine your eligibility for all of these damages and assist you during settlement negotiations. Moreover, if your case must proceed to a civil jury trial or arbitration proceeding, we can zealously advocate on your behalf and work to pursue the full amount of damages you need.

Speak to an Experienced California Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you care about suffered injuries in a recent bicycle crash, you have a limited time period in which to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit for monetary damages. At The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., we can help you file your claim or lawsuit in a timely manner, assist you during settlement negotiations, and aggressively represent you in all legal proceedings.

To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorney, please call us at (415) 851-6486 or contact us online today. 

Unlike motor vehicle drivers and their passengers, cyclists have very limited protection while they are out on the road. With the exception of their helmets, they are directly exposed to their surrounding environment. Therefore, if they become involved in a bicycle crash, they may fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries. When these injuries are permanent, they may cause the cyclist to experience pain for the rest of their life.

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a recent bicycle crash, it is important that you have experienced legal counsel representing you at every stage of your case. In addition to investigating your accident circumstances, the knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can help you file a claim or lawsuit and pursue the damages that you deserve for your medical expenses and other injuries. 

Our legal team will zealously advocate for your interests and help you highlight the strengths of your case while downplaying any weaknesses. We can also represent you at your jury trial and other legal proceedings and help you maximize the compensation you recover in your case.

To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorney, please reach out to our office directly.

Injuries that Accident Victims Suffer

Bicycle accident victims can suffer extremely serious injuries – especially if the impact force knocks them to the ground. Injuries that a cyclist may suffer in their accident depend upon the force of the impact, how they fall to the ground, and which body parts they strike.

One of the first steps to minimizing bicycle accident injuries is to wear a sturdy, well-constructed bicycle helmet. However, even good helmets can crack when they hit the ground with a strong amount of force. When that happens, a bicycle rider may suffer a traumatic head injury, such as a concussion. At other times, bicycle accident victims may suffer fractures, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, internal organ damage, road rash, or death.

As soon as possible after a bicycle crash, you should seek medical treatment at a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility. The medical provider on duty can take the necessary MRIs, x-rays, and other studies to diagnose your medical condition accurately. They can also render emergency treatment and make recommendations for follow-up care if necessary. While you focus on getting better, the experienced bicycle accident lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can start handling the legal aspects of your case, including gathering your medical records, obtaining your lost wage documents, and subpoenaing police reports and eyewitness statements.

Driver Negligence that Leads to Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents typically result from driver negligence. A driver is negligent when they operate their vehicle unreasonably under the circumstances. Some of the most common types of auto driver negligence that lead to bicycle crashes include:

• Violating traffic laws and regulations, including speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way to a cyclist at the appropriate time, tailgating cyclists, and failing to use turn signals when switching lanes
• Failing to watch the road carefully, such as when a driver sends a text message while driving or makes a phone call without using a hands-free Bluetooth device
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Intoxicated driving is especially dangerous because alcohol significantly impairs a driver’s abilities. It may cause blurry vision, preventing the driver from even saying a cyclist in the vicinity. It may also significantly delay a driver’s reaction time, preventing them from stopping their vehicle in time to avoid hitting a cyclist.

If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident that resulted from another driver’s negligence, you have legal options. Our skilled legal team can help you explore those options, file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and pursue the monetary compensation that you deserve.

Potential Damages in Bicycle Accident Cases

When a negligent driver causes an accident with a cyclist, the injured cyclist may recover damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The damages that a bicycle accident victim will recover depend upon the extent of their injuries, the cost of their medical treatment, and even the property damage involved. Generally speaking, a cyclist who suffers permanent injuries is eligible for greater damages than a cyclist who suffers relatively minor injuries.

Some of the most common types of compensation that injured cyclists may recover include damages for their:

• Medical expenses, including the costs of doctor appointments, surgical procedures, and physical therapy 
• Lost wages, compensating accident victims for their missed work time
• Loss of earning capacity, when the accident victim is unable to return to their same job or occupation due to the severity of their injuries
• Emotional distress, such as where the accident victim requires psychological or psychiatric care due to trauma stemming from their accident
• Permanent disability, where a medical provider determines that the cyclist suffered a permanent injury
• Past and future pain and suffering, where the accident victim has experienced – or will likely continue to experience – pain and inconvenience due to their accident-related injuries
• Loss of the ability to use a body part, such as where the accident victim suffers a permanent injury – like full or partial paralysis
• Loss of life enjoyment, where a cyclist’s injuries decrease their overall quality of life and well-being

A knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can determine your eligibility for all of these damages and assist you during settlement negotiations. Moreover, if your case must proceed to a civil jury trial or arbitration proceeding, we can zealously advocate on your behalf and work to pursue the full amount of damages you need.

Speak to an Experienced California Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you care about suffered injuries in a recent bicycle crash, you have a limited time period in which to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit for monetary damages. At The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., we can help you file your claim or lawsuit in a timely manner, assist you during settlement negotiations, and aggressively represent you in all legal proceedings.

To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable California bicycle accident attorney, please call us at (415) 851-6486 or contact us online today. 

Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.

Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner