Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Attorney Ready to Serve You

Here in California, for the most part, we are blessed with beautiful weather. As a result, we have plenty of citizens here in our state who enjoy the great outdoors. Bicyclists are no exception. Many enjoy heading out on a beautiful day for a bike ride, and many others actually use their bicycles as their primary form of transportation. It’s wonderful to share our roads with so many bicyclists, but it’s not without some unfortunate consequences as well.

Each year in California, many bicyclists are the victims of unfortunate accidents. These may be caused by a number of factors. Often, simply because of the nature of bicycling, the injuries sustained by cyclists in these accidents can be quite severe, and can, at times, even result in death.

If you or a loved one live in the Santa Rosa area and have been the victim of a bicycle accident, we at Henderson Law understand the suffering you may be going through and we’re here to help. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation under the law. At Henderson Law, our trusted Santa Rosa bicycle accident attorney is ready to fight for that compensation on your behalf.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Certainly, as a cyclist, you have a duty to obey the rules of the road, including those rules and laws that exist for the safety of all cyclists. These rules include, among other things, wearing a helmet; obeying lights, signs, and using turn signals; using designated bicycle lanes when available, using reflectors, and properly maintaining your bicycle.

Unfortunately, even if you follow all of the rules and cycle in an extremely safe and cautious manner, you may still be the unfortunate victim of an accident. Bicycle accidents can have any number of causes, including dangerous road conditions, reckless drivers, careless pedestrians, product defects, and more.

When a bicycle is involved in an accident, injuries can often be severe and lasting. Those driving cars and trucks have the benefit of seatbelts, airbags, and other safety systems that are part of their vehicles, whereas bicyclists do not. At best, bicyclists are protected by their helmets and padded clothing. As a result, injuries incurred in an accident can often be severe and can include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, eye injuries, internal organ damage, soft tissue damage, and many other types of injury as well.

If you have sustained these sorts of injuries as a result of an accident that you do not believe was your fault, you may have grounds for recovery. If someone else caused or contributed to your bicycle accident injuries, you may have a negligence claim against that person and their insurance company. Alternatively, if your injury was caused by a defective part in the bicycle, you may have a cause of action against the manufacturer. If a roadway was improperly maintained, you may have a cause of action against the party responsible for maintaining it.

The possibilities for liability are quite varied in bicycle accident cases, and as a result, it is important to retain a Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in this area of the law. Having an expert who can listen to your circumstances and provide sound legal advice on who may be held liable and what damages you may be entitled to can be invaluable.

Common Injuries Seen in Bicycle Accidents

When a car or other vehicle crashes with a bicycle, a wide variety of injuries can occur. Some are clearly more serious than others and can take a long time to heal.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Unfortunately, injuries to the head and face are quite common in bicycle accidents. Yes, if you wear a helmet you at least have some protection. This is very important because that protection may save you from the worst-case scenario. However, even with a helmet, you can still sustain head injuries.

Injuries to the head can include concussions, contusions, lacerations, bruises, and skull fractures. A skull fracture is particularly dangerous as the fractured edge could penetrate the brain and lead to permanent disability. And any traumatic injury to the brain can be extremely serious, life-changing, and even fatal. So you must always take any injury or impact to your head very seriously, and seek medical attention immediately whether you are feeling “OK” or not. Here are some symptoms that should alert you to possible serious danger:

• After the accident, if you find that you are experiencing a headache that won’t get better or continues to worsen, see your doctor.
• You know that you have hit your head hard whenever your helmet is cracked. If you see that it’s cracked, don’t hesitate. See your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you find yourself confused, that could be a sign that something serious is wrong. For instance, if you begin forgetting simple things like your name, your address, or where you are, it is time to see your doctor.
• You need medical attention if your vision is altered subsequent to the bicycle crash. If things seem unusually hazy or blurry, see your doctor.
• You need to seek medical help if you lose consciousness at any time after your accident.

Face Injuries

Injuries to the face can consist of bruises, scrapes, lacerations, or bone fractures. Soft tissue injuries to the face are often less serious in nature, but fractures of facial bones may have to be repaired by surgery. Jaw fractures can be quite painful and cause intermittent pain for the rest of the victim’s life.

Other Bone Fractures

Any bone in the body can be fractured or broken, particularly when in a bicycle crash accident. The impact of your body on concrete can fracture anything from your skull to your fingers, arm bones, leg bones, pelvis, and more. Some of these fractures can penetrate the skin or other organs, so if you have pain anywhere in your body that you can’t explain, see a doctor.

Spinal Cord

Injuries to your spine can be utterly life-altering or lead to paralysis. So it is wise to not brush off back pain after a bicycle accident. Be safe and get checked out.

What Damages Might I Be Entitled To?

If you or a loved one is a victim of a bicycle accident in California, you may be entitled to damages including:

•  Payment for past, current, and future medical bills;
•  Occupational therapy;
•  Lost wages, including lost earning potential;
•  Loss of consortium;
•  Disfigurement;
•  Wrongful death;
•  Pain and suffering;
•  And more.

Let a skilled Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer help you with your case.

Preserving Evidence After a Bicycle Accident

Preserving evidence after a bicycle accident is crucial for building a solid legal claim. The more evidence you have, the better chance you have of proving who is at fault and maximizing your settlement. Some of the most important types of bicycle accident evidence include:

• Bicycle damage. Preserve your bicycle in the same condition it was after the accident. Avoid repairs or alterations if possible, as the damage can help correlate your account of the accident’s impact and angle of collision.
• Photographs of the scene. Detailed photos of your bicycle from various angles that depict all damage are helpful. Close-up shots of specific damaged areas are also important.
• Personal gear and clothing. Keep any damaged personal items like your helmet, clothing, and accessories. These items can demonstrate the impact’s severity and help reconstruct the accident.
• Bike computer or GPS data. If you use a bike computer or GPS device, save the data from your ride. This information can confirm your speed, route, and the time of the accident.
• Police report. You need a copy of the police report, which can offer essential details that help determine who is liable.
• Medical records and bills. Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, including doctor visits, diagnoses, treatments received, and ongoing medical needs. Your doctor’s notes are important because they can confirm your injuries.

Every accident differs, which means the evidence needed in your bicycle accident will differ slightly from someone else’s. Your Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer can explain the specific types of evidence that will help your individual case.

Documenting Bike Accidents

Documenting your bike accident is essential for supporting your claim for damages. Here’s how to effectively document a bicycle accident:

1. Photographs of the scene. Take photos of the accident scene, including road conditions, traffic signs, and any obstructions or hazards that might’ve contributed to the accident.
2. Get witness information. Collect contact information from witnesses. Witness statements can corroborate your account of the accident.
3. Police report. Call the police after the accident to make an official report, as the officer will include their observation and discuss who they believe to be at fault.
4. Seek medical treatment. If you are not transported to the hospital from the scene, you should seek medical treatment immediately. You could have internal injuries that are not immediately visible to the naked eye.

Many people find it helpful to write down everything about the accident, especially if the case drags on for any length of time. Details like the time, weather conditions, and any relevant events leading up to the accident should be included.

Expert Witnesses for Bicycle Accidents

In complex bicycle accident cases, expert witnesses can play an important role. They provide specialized knowledge that can help clarify aspects of the case that are beyond the general understanding of the court or jury. Here are some of the most common types of expert witnesses:

1. Reconstruction experts analyze the accident scene and evidence to reconstruct how the accident occurred.
2. Medical experts can testify about the nature and extent of your injuries, the required treatments, and how your injuries have impacted your life.
3. Bicycle safety experts can offer insights into cycling safety standards, proper use of cycling equipment, and the responsibilities of cyclists and motorists.
4. Economic experts can assess the financial implications, such as loss of earning capacity, future medical expenses, and other economic losses.

Preserving evidence, thoroughly documenting the accident, and utilizing expert witnesses when necessary strengthens your case and increases the chances of receiving fair compensation.

Call Our Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Attorney at Henderson Law Today

If you or someone you love has been involved in a bicycle accident, you have already been through more than enough distress. Don’t compound that stress by missing out on the opportunity to collect compensation that you may be entitled to as you attempt to begin the recovery process and move forward with your life. At Henderson Law, our personal injury lawyer and Santa Rosa bicycle accident attorney have decades of experience handling claims very much like yours, and we would like to put our knowledge and experience to work on your behalf. Let us focus on the law, so you can focus on your recovery.

We also handle other injury cases involving:

• Dog and Animal Attacks
• Insurance Claim Denial
• Auto Accidents
• Pedestrian Crosswalk Injuries
• Slip and Fall Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Trucking Accident
• Motorbike Accident
• Product Defects

At Henderson Law, we would welcome the opportunity to sit down with you, listen to your story, and learn how we might be able to be of service. Give us a call today. Our Santa Rosa bicycle accident lawyer hopes to speak with you soon.