Burbank boasts a natural ambiance that bicyclists can enjoy as they move around for adventure or daily commutes. While on the road, you risk getting into an accident due to poor judgment or negligence by a third party.
California recorded the highest number of bicycle accidents in 2013. In such accidents, bicyclists suffer the most injuries as they only have a helmet and a few pads to protect their bodies from the impact. Damages from a bicycle accident can affect your quality of life, hence the need for compensation. Our Avaness Law attorney in Burbank, California, is ready to guide you through the legal process so the negligent party pays for your damages as you focus on healing.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Every road user in Burbank should adhere to traffic rules to protect themselves and other road users. Failure to stick to the rules can cause bicycle accidents which can be fatal. The common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted drivers
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving, including failure to use turn signals, unsafe lane changes and merges, stopping suddenly, and following too closely
- Opening car doors without looking
- Impatient drivers who deny cyclists space while passing
Common Injuries in Burbank Bicycle Accidents
Common injuries from a bicycle accident will include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damages
- Severed limbs
- Neck and head injuries
- Back injuries, including spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in Burbank
As a bicycle accident victim, you will likely get severe injuries after the crash, affecting your normal life. These effects can put you in a difficult financial position. Your situation will even worsen if the insurer denies or delays your claim.
Our experienced Burbank attorneys will help you get compensation for your damages after an accident. These damages include:
- Medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and therapy
- Cost of future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced capacity to earn a living
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
How to Tell it is Time to Seek the Help of a Burbank Lawyer
After your bicycle accident, talk to a lawyer to review the accident and advise on your legal options. You can file a compensation claim where the accident resulted from someone else’s negligence. Insurance companies will dispute claims where it is unclear who is at fault.
Our experienced Burbank attorney will investigate your accident, gather the evidence and build a persuasive case to ensure fair compensation. You will know it is time to seek an attorney for your case if:
You sustained permanent disability from the injuries
Head and spinal cord damage can cause permanent disability. Such injuries call for ongoing, lifelong treatments, which are expensive. Hence, take advantage of the available resources to cater to your care.
It is unclear who is at fault
The party that caused your accident can deny your claim, forcing you to provide strong evidence. Our attorney will help with the investigation and provide sufficient evidence that faults the negligent party.
Multiple parties are involved
With more liable parties in your injury claims, there will be more insurance parties and negotiations; hence, the need to work with an attorney.
Delayed or denied insurance claims
Insurance companies are interested in profits. This interest can cause some to deny your claim without a reasonable basis. When this happens, consider our experienced Burbank attorneys to refute the case.
Proof of Negligence After a Bicycle Accident
You must show that someone else’s negligence caused the accident when seeking compensation for your damages after a bicycle crash. As a plaintiff, you must prove that you would not get injured if the other party acted responsibly. You will also prove your damages for favorable compensation. Taking photos of your injuries, accident scenes, and witness testaments will offer adequate proof for our lawyer to use in your defense.
How Will a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Burbank Help?
Hiring a bike accident attorney after your accident will protect your rights and help you get compensation for your damages. At the initial contact, our Burbank attorney will evaluate the case by asking questions about your accident and understanding its impact on your life.
Our Burbank attorney will investigate your case and liaise with experts for additional details. This investigation will include returning to the accident scene, reviewing your medical records, and interviewing your witnesses. With the evidence ready, they will send a demand letter to the insurer to start your settlement negotiations. The demand letter contains details about the accident and your damages that qualify for compensation.
In the best-case scenario, the insurer will pay the settlement you’ve requested. On the negative, they may deny or offer an unfair deal, requiring our attorney to continue negotiations or pursue a lawsuit for your claim. By trusting our Burbank attorneys, you can focus on healing as we represent you to ensure fair compensation.
Who is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
When a bicycle accident occurs, the following parties are liable:
- The bike manufacturer for selling a faulty bicycle that caused the accident
- The government for poor maintenance of infrastructure such that potholes and other rough paths that caused the accident
- Negligent drivers on the road
Get Help from Our Burbank Attorney
After your bicycle accident, focus on your well-being. As you seek treatment and start to heal, you may lose your livelihood and spend a fortune on your hospital visits. Even worse, the insurance company can take advantage of you and offer inadequate compensation, which is why you need an experienced attorney from Avaness Law to represent you. Call us today for a consultative appointment.
