You get injured in a bicycle accident, and you are unsure of how to respond to the incident. Treat your accident injuries and continue to do so for as long as your doctor recommends. From here, talk with a bicycle accident lawyer in Santa Ana, and they may help you take legal action against any liable parties.
The legal team at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has decades of experience between us. Allow our Santa Ana personal injury lawyers to assist you with your bike accident case. Our attorneys may advise you to focus on your accident recovery while we pursue financial compensation for you through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Our team can review your Santa Ana bike accident case for free. Contact us today to get started.
Why Partner with a Santa Ana Bicycle Accident Attorney?
Your bicycle accident attorney in Santa Ana wants to take charge of your case by doing things like managing paperwork, meeting filing deadlines, and communicating with insurance providers, legal representatives of the opposing party, and any at-fault parties on your behalf.
Other ways that your lawyer may help you with your bike crash case include:
- Listening carefully to your account of events to understand your point of view
- Investigating and documenting your Orange County bike accident and injuries
- Gathering police reports, witness statements, accident scene photos, video footage, medical records, California crash data, and other evidence as they try to develop a strong case for compensatory damages
- Identifying any at-fault parties and assessing how their negligence may have contributed to your accident and injuries
- Evaluate your tangible and intangible losses to determine the appropriate compensation for you to demand
- Initiating negotiations with a liable party or their insurance company for a settlement that provides you with adequate compensation for your accident losses.
- Preparing your lawsuit if insurance settlement negotiations are unsuccessful
- Sharing FAQs and other legal resources to help you make informed decisions at each stage of your case
If you are wondering whether it is worth it to hire an accident attorney, check out what Omega Law Group offers. Our team is dedicated to always putting our clients first. We can evaluate your bike collision case and explain your legal options. If you want to proceed with a claim or lawsuit, we want to help you. To learn more, schedule a free case consultation.
Damages That You Could Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Santa Ana
Speak with a Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyer about the types of compensatory damages that you could receive if you proceed with an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney can analyze your economic and non-economic damages as they prepare their argument.
They may encourage you to seek any of the following damages:
- Pain and suffering: You could get these damages if you’re dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other emotional distress or physical discomfort due to your cycling accident.
- Medical bills: You can be compensated for the costs you incur to treat your concussion, broken bones, or other bike accident injuries.
- Lost wages: If you cannot work because of your bike crash injuries, you may request compensation for your lost income.
- Diminished earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to the job you held before your bicycle accident, you could recover damages based on your diminished earning capacity.
- Property damage: You may get money for the costs of repairing or replacing your damaged bike or other property damaged in the accident.
- Burial and funeral expenses: If you lose a family member in a fatal bike accident, you could receive compensation for their burial and funeral expenses. To do so, you may file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
You are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in California. This means you may have up to two years from the day of the incident to sue. Alternatively, if you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of death.
Have you been involved
in a bicycle accident?
Our bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Ana are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
What Will Happen if You File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Santa Ana?
As you try to choose a personal injury lawyer for your bike accident case, consider how your attorney may approach your insurance claim. Work with a Santa Ana bicycle accident attorney who will commit time and resources to your personal injury claim. This lawyer can engage in insurance settlement negotiations while you recover from the harm that you’ve suffered.
Your personal injury attorney can help you file your insurance claim and keep you updated about settlement negotiations. They can provide you with insights into the average settlement for a personal injury case. If you don’t receive an insurance settlement that you feel is fair, your lawyer may help you bring your case to trial.
Even if you sue for compensatory damages, your lawyer can continue to negotiate a settlement with the defendant before your trial gets underway. Of course, if no agreement is reached, your attorney is ready to present your case to a judge or jury. At this point, they can explain to a judge or jury how the defendant acted negligently.
What Does Negligence Mean in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Santa Ana, California?
Expect your Santa Ana, CA, bicycle accident lawyer to teach you about the 4 C’s of negligence and their relevance to your lawsuit. If your case reaches trial, your attorney wants to prove to a judge or jury that the defendant was negligent.
To illustrate this point, your lawyer may focus their argument on the following elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: This is a legal obligation that the defendant had to you leading up to your accident. Based on this duty, the defendant should not have engaged in speeding, distracted driving, or other careless or reckless acts that could put you in danger.
- Breach of duty of care: Your lawyer may argue that the defendant was careless or reckless and that their actions represent a violation of their duty of care to you.
- Causation: Your attorney may detail to the court how the defendant’s breach of duty may have contributed to your accident, injuries, and losses.
- Damages: These are the losses that you may be dealing with due to the defendant’s breach of duty. Such losses can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and other costs that you face following your accident.
Who you select as your legal representation can make a difference in proving negligence. If you rely on personal injury lawyers who are committed to legal excellence, you may be well-equipped to show a judge or jury that a party was negligent and should cover your bike accident losses.
Injured in a bicycle crash?
Our bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Ana are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
How Can Pure Comparative Negligence Impact the Outcome of Your Bike Accident Case?
In alignment with California law, you may be subject to pure comparative negligence in your bike collision case. With this, if you sue someone for a bike accident and are found to be partially liable, your damages can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, you are a cyclist who is injured in a bike accident, and a motorist may be liable. You file a lawsuit against this driver, but the court rules that you’re 20% to blame for your accident. Due to pure comparative negligence, you may recover 80% of the damages that you sought.
Your Santa Ana, CA, bicycle accident attorney can discuss pure comparative negligence with you while they craft their argument. They want to be able to make it clear to a judge or jury that any parties involved in your cycling accident should be held primarily or solely responsible for your losses from the incident.
Hurt in a
bicycle accident?
(310) 526-8383
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Santa Ana, California
Many bicyclists ride safely in Orange County. Regardless, there are times when motorists or other parties do things to compromise the safety of cyclists and cause accidents. Below are some of the common reasons why cycling accidents are reported in Santa Ana and other Orange County communities:
- Failure to yield: A motorist may fail to yield the right of way at an intersection while making a left or right turn.
- Dooring: A driver may open the door of their vehicle into the path of an oncoming bicyclist.
- Unsafe lane changes: A motorist may merge too quickly into unprotected bike lanes.
- Road defects: Potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards can make it tough for cyclists to avoid accidents.
Ask for legal help from personal injury attorneys if you’re injured in a bike accident that occurred for these reasons or any others.
Your Orange County bicycle accident lawyer wants you to feel supported throughout your case. They can build your case for compensation and remain on your side as you take steps to care for yourself after your accident.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
You feel worried as you try to figure out what to do after a bike accident that may have been caused by someone else. During this challenging time, remember, you have access to legal help in the form of Santa Ana, CA, bicycle accident lawyers.
Here are steps that your attorney may encourage you to take in the aftermath of your accident:
- Receive medical attention. Go to a doctor and have them evaluate and treat your accident injuries. Care for your injuries and share your medical bills with your lawyer, as this may help your attorney strengthen your case.
- Call the police. If you did not call 911 at the accident scene, notify the police about your cycling accident. Provide the police with information about what happened and who was involved, but do not take responsibility for the incident.
- Collect evidence. Retrieve your bike and any other property that was damaged in the accident, photos from the scene of the incident, and other proof. Your collection of evidence may help you prove that someone else may be liable for the accident.
- Let your lawyer handle your case. Your lawyer may communicate with insurance companies and negotiate a settlement for you. Or, they may bring your case in front of a judge or jury.
Hire a bike crash lawyer as soon as possible after your cycling accident. Your attorney can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit and strive to ensure that your legal needs are met consistently.
Common Bike Accident Injuries That You Need to Know About
Bicycle accident cases tend to be incredibly serious. This is often due to the severe injuries that bicyclists can suffer in bike accidents. Common types of injuries that cyclists in Orange County report in bike crashes include:
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Road rash
- Internal organ damage
Unfortunately, insurance companies may undervalue personal injury claims for bike accidents. Because of this, insurance companies may offer a settlement worth less than the costs of treating your cycling accident injuries. If this happens, your Santa Ana, CA lawyer may continue to negotiate with insurers for you, or they may take your case to trial.
Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Santa Ana Want to Treat Our Clients Like Family
Getting into a bike accident can put a strain on you physically, emotionally, and financially. Thankfully, you don’t have to cope with the consequences of this incident alone. Bicycle accident attorneys in Santa Ana may be able to help you hold any liable parties accountable for their actions.
At Omega Law Group, we pride ourselves on our personalized, compassionate approach to our clients’ cases. Give us the opportunity to help you with your bike accident case. We may secure compensation for you through a personal injury claim. On the other hand, if a trial is necessary, we are unafraid to argue your personal injury case to a judge or jury.
We are committed to treating each client like family as their case proceedings move forward. To find out more, request a free bike collision case consultation.
