There is immense value in riding a bicycle; plenty of exercise and fresh air, extra savings in your pocket from the reduced need for gasoline and you’re even helping to reduce the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, but with all the benefits riding a bicycle provide, being hit my an automobile can add up to serious injury and even death!
While riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is legal in most California cities, it is against the law in San Francisco unless you are under 13. High levels of traffic on popular city thoroughfares are the main cause of most bicycle accidents that involve automobiles and other motorists, and while death is uncommon in low speed bicycle accidents they can easily happen when they involve children.
Oftentimes the motorist who has hit and seriously injured a bicycle rider will make a statement that he or she didn’t see the person, and while this may actually be true, it doesn’t relieve the motorist from responsibility, and this is an important reason you should have a California personal injury lawyer representing you.
The injuries sustained from being hit by a car while riding a bicycle can be extremely devastating, especially if it involves children, and even a broken arm or leg can quickly add up to substantial medical bills.
In California, personal injury laws protect the victims of auto accidents and just because you were riding a bicycle when you were injured doesn’t limit your rights in receiving compensation for your medical bills, damage to your bike, or even collecting a cash settlement for your pain and suffering.
You should also know that California has time limits, known as “statutes of limitations”, that regulate how long you can wait to file an insurance claim, but you shouldn’t delay in filing your claim especially if you have sustained serious injuries, because any unreasonable delay in filing your claim with the at fault party’s insurance company could create complications, and the value of your claim could be seriously reduced.
To fully protect your rights you should consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able, and even if you are still in the hospital, your lawyer can easily visit you to gather the facts surrounding your bicycle accident necessary to begin filing a claim with the at fault drivers insurance company.
California bicycle accidents can be deadly. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle you need an experienced California bicycle accident lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and get you the money you deserve to cover your medical bills, repair your bike and a cash settlement for your pain and suffering. Visit Nadrich & Cohen, LLP for a free consultation today.
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