All over the United States, Riverside included, bicycles have recently shown a surge in popularity due to rising gas prices, more health-conscious Americans, and an effort to be more environmentally friendly. These reasons to use bicycles all benefit the riders as well as the community at large – but these benefits can be outweighed quickly when someone is involved in a bicycle accident. Even when taking all proper precautions, these accidents are often the most serious accidents for riders simply because of the lack of protection and, if a vehicle is involved, the disproportionate size between bicycle and motor vehicle. After an accident, riders may not realize they have recourse if someone else’s negligence caused their crash and their injuries. If you were involved in a bicycle accident in the Riverside area, speak to a Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorney to find out if you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries.
Bicycle Accidents in Riverside
Sadly, California leads the nation in bicyclist fatalities almost every year. In 2015, 141 fatalities occurred in California alone. Two years ago, In 2017, 783 bicyclists lost their lives in the United States and California’s share of this comprised 4 percent of the state’s total traffic death toll.
In Riverside, with an inviting climate, relatively rural location, and copious trails such as the Santa Ana and the Martha McLean-anza Narrows Park, attracts many resident and tourist cycling aficionados to the area to enjoy the outdoors and spend time in nature. However, some cyclists pay the price – in 2019, a cyclist was killed in Riverside in a suspected hit and run at Victoria Avenue and Myers Street. Unfortunately, a large portion of these avoidable accidents are due to motor vehicle collisions. Accidents often occur because of:
- Intoxicated drivers
- Distracted driving
- Defectively manufactured or maintained bicycles,
- Pedestrians
- Road hazards
- Other cyclists
- Animals
Unfortunately, the common theme is someone’s negligent behavior. If you were involved in an accident, you should check with a Riverside Bicycle Accident lawyer to see if you may have a claim for compensation.
How Do I Recover and How Much is My Case Worth?
It’s normal to wonder both how to go about recovering for your injuries and how much you are entitled to receive for your case. Most victims seek compensation in court by arguing their injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence. To establish negligence in California, you must prove to a judge or jury that someone:
- Owed you a legal duty of care
- Breached it through an act or omission
- Caused you actual injury because of their breach
If you can establish these elements, the other party is liable for damages you can prove in court unless they have a valid legal defense.
If you have established another party’s negligence and they have no legal defense, you may be awarded compensatory damages for your injuries. These damages are intended to make you whole for both concrete and abstract damages you may have suffered from your bicycle accident.
Economic compensatory damages are meant to redress harms you have suffered for concrete injuries such as lost wages, medical expenses, property damages, and funeral or burial costs. Noneconomic compensatory damages, on the other hand, are designed to address injuries you have sustained that do not come with a concrete monetary figure and are often related to emotional or psychological trauma from your accident – pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and scarring or disfigurement, for example.
Can I Recover If I’m Partly at Fault for My Accident?
Even if you’re partially responsible for the Riverside bicycle accident that brought about your legal cause of action, you may still be awarded damages. California employs comparative negligence, which means you can still recover damages from another’s negligence – but your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault you had in the collision. After reviewing the facts, a court will assign each party involved a percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if you were found 40 percent at fault for your bicycle accident and stood to receive an award of $100,000, you can only recover 60 percent of that – or $60,000.
What Do I Do If I Was Involved in a Bicycle Accident in Riverside?
If you were involved in an accident there are a few simple steps to take that will help you and any claims you may bring in the future. Your health is paramount, so seek medical assistance immediately even if you don’t believe you were hurt – many injuries do not show symptoms as soon as they occur, so it is best to be evaluated and look after your well-being. Cooperate with law enforcement and get copies of any accident reports they produce. If possible, take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, and keep copies of all records and expenses you incur from your injuries. Finally, contact a skilled Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorney to understand what your next steps should be.
Contact a Riverside Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident while on your bike, contact the knowledgeable Riverside Bicycle Accident attorneys at Walton Injury Law without delay. Walton Injury Law attorneys have years of experience representing injury victims like you in a compassionate, dedicated manner and have recovered millions in compensation for our clients’ injuries. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our online contact page to set up your initial, no obligation case evaluation today. The consultation is risk free, and you don’t pay until we win your case. Let our experienced attorneys review the facts of your case and help you get maximum compensation for your injuries so you can focus on recovery and getting your life back to normal.