There’s something about riding a bike that can be fulfilling. That fulfillment can change radically, though, when you are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle that wasn’t your fault. You’ve been injured, and you’re worried about where the money for your treatment will come from. You may also worry about paying your regular bills if you’re off work because of your injury. You have questions.
At OnderLaw , we want to give you answers to your questions. Our Fontana personal injury lawyers are experienced with all types of bicycle accidents, and we know how to obtain the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Call us today, and let us get started working on obtaining the money you need.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?
This is usually the first question someone will ask. At OnderLaw , we know what it is to suffer the trauma of such an accident. It may seem like a luxury to hire a lawyer when you’re already worried about the medical bills that keep piling up because of the accident. However, your lawyer can make a huge difference in the outcome of your claim.
First, insurance companies are out to guard their own bottom line. When they get a claim from an unrepresented individual, they are likely to use tactics the victim will be unprepared for. The insurance adjuster may suggest that there’s no need to get a lawyer who will only take some of your money for fees. But when they get notice that you’re represented, they know that they won’t be able to get away with their usual strategies for paying out less money than they ought.
Second, your OnderLaw lawyer will handle all communications for you. We’ll talk with the insurance company on your behalf so that you don’t risk accidental self-incrimination. That way, you won’t have to fret about anything but taking care of your health.
Third, we’ll investigate your claim, obtain evidence to support your claim, and prepare your case to go to trial should we fail to obtain an agreeable settlement.
Fourth, those who are represented have a much higher chance of obtaining compensation than those who don’t, and that compensation has been shown to be larger than the money obtained by those who do not hire a lawyer.
The bicycle accident lawyers of OnderLaw have been getting compensation for our clients since 2002. We have obtained over $4 billion in settlements for our clients so far, and we will bring the same work ethic and dedication that secured those results to your case. We have been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Martindale-Hubbell for our outstanding work. Let us put our strength to work for you.
Bike Laws in Fontana
Article VIII of the Fontana City Code addresses bicycles within the city.
- Bicycles must be registered. Each bicycle must be marked with a registration number, and the registration number or tags must not be tampered with or removed.
- Bicycles must be licensed. Licenses must be issued by the state of California and are effective from Jan. 1-Dec. 31. They must be attached to the bike.
- Bicycles are required to obey traffic laws.
- Bicycle parking. Bicycles may be parked in front, back, at the side, or inside a building, but no other bike may be moved to accommodate parking another bike.
Causes of Bike Accidents
The leading causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Weaving through traffic. A driver who is focused on getting down the road may have a tendency to weave in and out of traffic. Such driving can lead the driver to fail to see all the vehicles on the road, particularly a bicycle that is relatively small and traveling slower than the traffic.
- Drivers who follow a bicycle too closely may not leave adequate room to avoid colliding with the bicycle if the cyclist has to come to a sudden stop.
- Distracted driving. Distractions are anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. They can include passengers, changing the radio, texting and talking on the phone, or checking GPS. Even something as being preoccupied with work or issues at home may distract the driver and take his or her mind off the traffic around them.
- Turning without looking. A driver may think he or she has checked oncoming traffic while making a turn but may not have seen the bicycle coming toward them or beside them in the bike lane.
- Failure to yield/running stop sign/traffic light. A driver in a hurry may not take the time to stop at a sign or light and may carelessly drive through without noticing the bicycle on the road.
- A driver who is speeding will take longer to come to a stop and cannot avoid collisions as easily as if they were going the speed limit.
- Impaired driving. Impairment can come from fatigue or drugs and/or alcohol, among other things. When a driver is impaired, their reaction times are slower, they have less control of their vehicle, and their judgment is compromised.
Common Injuries Suffered in Bike Accidents
Because the bicycle is a light vehicle with minimal protection for the biker, injuries can be significant. This is why it is so important to receive prompt medical diagnosis and treatment. Some of the injuries common to bicycle accident victims include:
- Lacerations and abrasions. Being forcibly removed from a bicycle by a collision can cause severe damage to the skin. Sometimes, the damage can be so great as to require skin grafts and disfigurement.
- Pelvic injuries. Generally, the site of impact in a vehicle-bicycle collision is at the biker’s seat. The resulting impact can break the pelvis or dislocate the hip joint.
- Internal organs. The impact of a collision can damage the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and various glands located in the torso. The damage may require surgery including removal of the damaged organ such as a lung or kidney.
- Broken bones/strained muscles/ligament damage. Collisions with a car can result in broken bones, including legs, arms, and ribs. The shoulders or collarbones may be injured. The collision may also result in damage to the joints such as elbows or knees. Muscles may be torn or severely sprained, and ligaments may be snapped or harmed in the collision.
- Head/brain injuries. Even though helmets can protect the head from severe harm, the collision can cause concussions, subdural hematomas (bleeding of the brain, skull fractures, or facial bone fractures, and dental damage.
- Spinal injury. When a rider is thrown from their bicycle, the chances are high that spine damage will result. They could suffer whiplash, fractured vertebrae, sprains, strains, or even paralysis.
Compensation for Bike Accident Injuries
Expenses from a bicycle collision can run high. You want to be fairly compensated for the costs incurred. You can pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or by filing a lawsuit against the individual. These are some of the areas where you may be eligible for compensation:
- Property damage. If your bike or other personal property was damaged in the crash, you may be able to recover money for your losses.
- Loss of income. While you recuperate from your injuries as a result of the collision, you may have to stay off work for a period of time. If the damage is severe enough, you may be unable to perform your normal work. This loss of income can be recovered.
- Medical expenses. Medical treatment is always expensive. An extended hospital stay can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Treatment can be long-term. All of these expenses can be recouped.
- Emotional damage and mental anguish. It is not uncommon for someone in a bicycle collision to suffer from post-traumatic stress issues. Your attorney can help you assess the value of your pain and suffering, and that cost can be added to the compensation you demand from the insurance company.
- Loss of consortium and companionship. The harm you receive as a result of the collision can have a detrimental effect on your relationship with your spouse or significant other. It can affect the way you relate to your family. You might be compensated for this loss.
State Bike Accident Statistics
California Healthline released a report that showed 455 people died from bicycle collisions from 2016-18. This is the highest death rate in the state in over 25 years. The reason for the increase can be traced to various reasons.
- More distracted driving
- Greater number of vehicles and bicycles in use
- Larger vehicles on the road
Let OnderLaw Help You
You were injured in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault. You need help, and you need it now. Don’t let a thin wallet be the reason you don’t call. Here at OnderLaw , we take cases on contingency. That means you pay nothing upfront, and you don’t pay us anything until we get compensation for you. If you get no money, neither do we.
OnderLaw has experience helping people like you who have been in a bicycle accident. Call us or contact us online for a free initial consultation.
