Fullerton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a bicycle is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the southern California weather, and save both money and the environment by avoiding a trip in a motor vehicle. As anyone who rides consistently in Orange County knows, though, drivers often do not look out for cyclists as carefully as they should, which sometimes leads to collisions with devastating consequences.

If you have been hurt in a bike wreck that you can trace directly back to another person’s misconduct, you should reach out to a Fullerton bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. You may have standing to file suit over your accident and demand civil compensation for your ensuing losses. Representation from a seasoned personal injury attorney is essential to getting the best possible result from your claim.

How to Hold Someone Else Liable for a Bike Crash

Bicyclists are virtually always at greater risk of getting hurt in traffic accidents compared to any motor vehicle driver involved. However, that does not mean courts will automatically assume a driver who hits a bicyclist is legally at fault for the incident.

Instead, the injured bicyclist has the burden of proving through a majority of available evidence that they were hurt specifically because the driver they are suing did something reckless, careless, or illegal behind the wheel. As a Fullerton bicycle accident attorney can further explain, this can be anything from an overt violation of traffic law to a simple lapse in concentration at exactly the wrong moment.

Suing Someone Other than a Negligent Driver

It is worth noting as well that motor vehicle drivers are not the only people who could be liable for a bicycle accident. If a bike wreck stems partially or primarily from a mechanical malfunction in one of the vehicles—or bicycles—involved, a negligent mechanic or manufacturer may hold some liability for ensuing injuries and losses. Likewise, it is sometimes possible to name local government bodies as defendants in claims like this if a crash stems partly from a lack of safe infrastructure for bicyclists or from a lack of proper road maintenance.

Seeking Compensation for All Available Damages

Regardless of who specifically is at fault for the incident, a successful lawsuit or settlement demand over a bicycle injury can seek restitution for both economic and non-economic repercussions of that injury, including things like:

• Medical bills
• Expenses stemming from property damage, including bicycle repair/replacement costs
• Lost work income and/or working ability
• Physical discomfort and pain
• Emotional anguish and trauma
• Lost enjoyment of life and other effects of permanent disfigurement/disability, if applicable

That said, it is important to take action quickly after a crash of this nature occurs, since California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 generally gives personal injury victims two years at most to file suit after initially getting hurt. A Fullerton attorney can help someone injured in a bicycle accident ensure this deadline is met.

Talk to a Fullerton Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

Even if you wear a helmet and follow all the rules of the road that apply to you, you still may wind up getting seriously hurt in a bike crash by no fault of your own. If that has happened to you recently, you have help available from knowledgeable legal professionals who can help you effectively demand fair compensation for the harm you should never have sustained.

A Fullerton bicycle accident lawyer can discuss your recovery options and offer preliminary guidance about next steps during a private initial consultation. Schedule yours by calling CD Law today.