Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you are injured in a bike accident due to another party’s negligence, contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim. As one of the leading personal injury law firms in Fresno, CA, we have built a reputation for success by getting our clients the maximum financial settlement possible. To learn how we can help you with your bicycle accident claim, schedule a free consultation today with our Fresno personal injury lawyer.

Our bike accident attorneys proudly serve neighborhoods and cities of Fresno County including: Downtown Fresno, Clovis, Las Palmas, Herndon, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay, San Simeon, Visalia, Merced, Chowchilla, Squaw Valley, Mendota, Los Banos, Santa Cruz, Salinas, Hollister, Watsonville, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, Modesto, Stockton, Turlock, San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley, Manteca, Bishop, Woodward Park, Tower District, Fig Garden Loop, Sunnyside, Pinedale, Biola Junction, Jefferson, Cincotta, Lowell, Mural District, Fort Washington, Brookhaven, Hammond, The Bluffs, and Cameo.

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Were You Hurt in a Bike Accident in Fresno?

Whether it’s for recreation, transportation needs, or health purposes, cycling is a regular activity for Fresno residents. The comfortable year-round climate in California also makes this hobby particularly enjoyable. Unfortunately, with the influx of active bicyclists, the city has also experienced a peak of bicycle accidents. There were over 300 bike accidents from 2017-2021, with 31 of those resulting in fatalities.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim specializes in helping victims and their families of these horrible accidents recover the just compensation they are rightfully entitled to. Schedule a free consultation, and speak with an experienced Fresno bicycle accident attorney to learn more.

Why Hire Daniel Kim As Your Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, our team dedicates themselves to getting victims of personal injury accidents the just compensation they are rightfully owed from the insurance company. With a 99% success rating, we have managed to meet those expectations. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so clients pay absolutely nothing if their cases are not a success.

Daniel Kim and his legal team in Fresno, CA offer personalized service to every client. We focus on their specific needs, as all traffic accidents are unique and result in very different outcomes. Our firm’s work ethic, commitment, and convictions have earned us over 40 awards and honors from some of the most respected legal organizations in the country, including the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association.

Our personal injury law firm is proud to assist the Fresno community and the neighboring cities of Merced County, Monterey County, Kern County, San Benito County, and more. To get in contact with the top bicycle accident attorney in your area, set up a free case evaluation by calling (559) 552-7711 or by e-mailing us at [email protected]. We are available to address all of your inquiries 24/7.

How Injured Cyclists Can Determine if They Have a Strong Case

Bicyclists who are injured due to a negligent driver or another party may be eligible to recover compensation. However, liability must be proven. This concept falls under tort law and is something only an experienced bicycle accident attorney can successfully execute.

Essentially, when an entity or driver fails to act with reasonable care, they can be found liable for causing the bike crash. Examples can range from a reckless driver running a stop sign to the city failing to maintain the upkeep of its roadways. Regardless if the crash resulted in broken bones, brain injury, or another form of harm, the victim can be compensated through an insurance settlement.

When working with The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the Fresno bicycle accident to establish all of the facts leading up to the crash. Doing so helps us better understand the full extent of damages that are owed.

These “damages” are awarded in the form of financial compensation to reimburse victims for any severe injuries that resulted from the bicycle crash. In addition to being compensated for a serious injury, a Fresno bicycle accident attorney can also recover damages for clients in the form of medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more.

What to Know Before Pursuing Legal Action in a Bicycle Accident Case

Although injured victims have the legal right to recover damages, there will be roadblocks along the way preventing them from receiving fair compensation. The statute of limitations assigns a limited timeframe for an injured person to take legal action against an at-fault driver.

The amount of time someone has to file a personal injury lawsuit in Fresno, CA is two years. If that time surpasses, compensation can no longer be recovered. Additional obstacles come from insurance companies or an insurance adjuster, who will make ongoing efforts to reduce the worth of a bike accident claim.

However, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Daniel Kim has the knowledge, resources, and negotiation techniques to recover the full extent of financial losses. We also welcome the opportunity to take the case to litigation if an ideal settlement is not reached outside of court. The goal is to obtain maximum compensation, and we will explore every legal avenue in order to accomplish this.

How the Worth of Bicycle Accident Claims Are Determined

The worth of every bike accident case is based on the extent of losses. This is broken down into various forms of damages, consisting of economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages account for losses that hold a monetary value. In contrast, non-economic damages do not hold a monetary value but can compensate for the effects a bicycle crash has on a victim.

Unlike the other forms of damages, punitive damages are not a form of financial reimbursement. Instead, it is designed to punish the liable party for egregious actions, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Examples of all of the various forms of damages include:

• Current medical bills
• Diminished earning capacity
• Disfigurement or disability
• Emotional distress
• Future medical care
• Loss of consortium, companionship
• Loss of income
• Pain and Suffering, both physical and psychological
• Property damage
• Wrongful death claim

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Like personal injury accidents and car accidents, Fresno bicycle accidents are often a result of someone else’s negligence, which can be attributed to a number of varying factors. Common causes of bicycle collisions are the result of careless drivers who exhibited the following actions:

• Car dooring
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Fatigued driving
• Not yielding to bicyclists
• Road rage
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Speeding

Government entities can also hold liability in this type of personal injury case. For example, the city of Fresno is responsible for the upkeep of its roadways, so if there are non-visible traffic signs, broken street lights, lack of designated bike lanes, or other faulty road conditions, the city can be found financially responsible for damages in a bike accident case.

Other common causes of bicycle accidents include manufacturer defects for bike parts such as brakes, pedals, and wheels. To ensure the appropriate party is held accountable for your injuries, consult with our legal team. We will examine the facts of your case and fight to get you maximum compensation.

How Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorneys Determine Liability

When it comes to fault, varying parties can be found liable, and multiple parties may have to hold accountability. Motor vehicle drivers, the government, bicycle manufacturers, and other parties can all be found liable in bicycle accident cases. Cyclists can also be found liable.

California is an at-fault state that operates on a comparative negligence basis. This means that every party who caused the accident will share a percentage of the consequences. Therefore, the injured bicyclist can still receive compensation, but the financial reward will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault.

For example, if a victim is 10% liable, a bicycle manufacturer is 20% liable, and a reckless driver is 70% liable in a case with a $10,000 settlement, the victim will receive $9,000 in compensation, with $2,000 contributed from the bicycle manufacturer and $7,000 contributed from the reckless driver.

Be wary when speaking to insurance adjusters following an accident. The insurance company will attempt to significantly devalue a claim, especially for victims who do not have legal representation. To ensure your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation, it’s always best to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Call 911. Contact the Fresno Police Department and wait for an officer to arrive so an official police report can be created. The accident report is a non-biased document summarizing the details of the incident, and it will be needed for a personal injury claim.

Exchange information. Names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the involved driver of the car accident must be collected. Avoid communicating with anyone else, aside from a police officer. A simple “sorry” can be interpreted as an omission of fault and result in the bike accident case getting dismissed. Therefore, limit what is said.

Obtain evidence. If physically capable, collect evidence at the accident scene by taking photos and videos: document the crash site, bike and motor vehicle damage, street signs, and road conditions. If sustained injuries make this too difficult, ask for help from a present witness or call a family member or friend for assistance.

Seek medical help. Some people do not realize how injured they are following a bicycle accident and make the mistake of not seeing a doctor. Regardless of how minor a bike accident may appear, seeking immediate medical attention is vital. Some internal injuries may hide dormant, and if left untreated, can cause permanent disability or become fatal.

Consult with a Fresno bicycle accident lawyer. We understand the confusion and uncertainty that comes with being involved in an auto-related accident. This is why our Fresno personal injury law firm offers our services on contingency, starting with a free case evaluation. During the consultation, potential clients meet with our team to determine if we are the right fit.

What Are the Most Common Bike Accident Injuries?

Any form of injury, both physically and mentally, that is sustained as a direct result of a bike accident can be compensated. A wrongful death lawsuit can also be pursued by surviving family members of victims who suffered fatal injuries. Some of the most common injuries suffered in a car accident with bicyclists include:

• Amputation
• Brain injuries, concussions
• Broken bones
• Chest injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Dental damage
• Internal bleeding
• Meniscus injuries
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Punctured organs
• Road rash
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Scarring
• Shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death

Regardless of what may seemingly be catastrophic injuries or minor injuries, it is strongly advisable to see a doctor. A medical professional’s diagnosis will not only prevent injuries from worsening, but the medical report will also prove damages in a bicycle accident case. Fresno bicycle accident lawyers utilize these reports to support the legitimacy of accident claims, so ensure your health is not compromised and see a medical professional after an accident.

Fresno Bicycle Accident Facts and Statistics

California Law (VC 21650.1) requires bicyclists on roadways to ride in the same direction as motor vehicles. Because of this, a bicyclist will be less aware of a reckless driver approaching from behind. Bicycle riders are also more prone to car dooring, crashing into car doors that are swung open into oncoming traffic.

As reported by the National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 39,000 bicyclists involved in injury-causing bike accidents in the US. Another study found that from 2017-2021, there were 385 bicycle accidents in Fresno County, alone. 31 of those bike accidents were fatal.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

The city of Fresno has made efforts to keep bicyclists safe on the roadways. More recently, protected bike lanes were installed to further separate bike riders from moving motor vehicles. However, the project has caused more frustration than good. And still, Fresno County experiences bike accidents regularly, with most crashes occurring on the following roads and intersections:

• The exit of State Route 99 onto Clinton Ave.
• Shaw Ave. and N. Cedar Ave.
• E. Gettysburg Ave. and N. Augusta St.
• N. Gettysburg Ave. and N. 1st St.
• E. Swift Ave. and N. Blackstone Ave.

Driving Directions to Our Fresno Office

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim — Fresno, CA
Address: 1221 Van Ness Ave, Suite 406, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 552-7711
 
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