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San Francisco Bicycle Accidents
San Francisco is a bustling city of over 880,000. The second most densely populated American city, behind only 4 of the 5 New York City boroughs, it’s no wonder bicycles are popular option for people seeking to avoid congestion faced by vehicle drivers. A convenient commuter option and greener method of transportation in an environmentally conscious city, bicycles are everywhere. Unfortunately, the prevalence of bicycles on the city’s streets means that accidents – especially collisions with motor vehicles – are common.
Common Causes of San Francisco Bicycle Accidents
Even though some San Francisco bicycle accidents may occur due to rider error, collisions with motor vehicle accidents cause most injuries and deaths. California’s Office of Traffic Safety report that in 2017 alone (the latest available report) a staggering 569 bicyclists were either killed or injured during incidents involving motor vehicles. In San Francisco, the most common causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Dangerous road conditions including potholes, wet roads, and Muni tracks
- Dooring accidents when a vehicle driver fails to check before opening their door into a bike lane or other lane of travel
- Sideswiping at intersections while waiting at red lights or by drivers who merge without looking
- Colliding with a vehicle entering or leaving a driveway or side street whose driver didn’t look first
- Failing to yield to a cyclist or share the road
However, crashes also commonly occur due to distracted drivers, speeding, intoxicated drivers, and defectively manufactured or repaired bicycles. Because accidents are caused by many different parties, you may be able to pursue damages from a motorist, another cyclist, a bicycle manufacturer or repair shop, or even a government entity tasked with maintaining the roadway.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
Because bicycles are much smaller than traditional passenger vehicles and have many fewer protections for their riders, accidents that do occur often cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries. Even though a cyclist may ride safely and wear all the appropriate safety gear, when accidents happen common injuries like traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries may occur. These can be severe, leaving riders with lifelong injuries, extended rehabilitation needs, disability, and massive medical bills.
Winning Your San Francisco Bicycle Accident Case
It’s normal to wonder how to pursue the compensation you deserve for your San Francisco bicycle accident injuries. It’s common for victims to file a civil lawsuit for personal injuries or wrongful death in California arguing they deserve compensation for harms caused by another party’s bad behavior.
If you can show someone’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior caused you harm in a personal injury case, you may be able to recover to help compensate you for your injuries. Victims can recover for a variety of injuries from a bicycle accident including:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Lost future earning ability
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Sometimes, when a party’s conduct is extremely bad, a personal injury victim may even be awarded additional damages that are meant to punish the wrongdoer.
If you lost a loved one in a San Francisco bicycle accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party whose behavior resulted their death. Even though nothing can bring your loved one back or make up for their loss, a wrongful death suit can help with the burden that comes with their sudden absence. Victims in a wrongful death suit may be entitled to lost earnings, loss of companionship, lost expected contributions to the household, and even expenses associated with a funeral or burial.
What Should You Do After a San Francisco Bicycle Accident?
Even though a San Francisco bicycle accident is a traumatic experience, it’s important not to delay taking a few simple steps. Though it may seem overwhelming, a few actions can greatly improve your health and the health of any legal claims you choose to bring for compensation.
- Notify law enforcement and 911 immediately after the accident.
- Seek medical assistance as soon as possible even if you believe you weren’t hurt – some injuries don’t present symptoms for days or weeks after an accident. Follow all treatment plans, take medication as prescribed, and attend all scheduled appointments.
- Don’t admit fault, apologize, guess if you don’t know the answers to questions, minimize your injuries, say you weren’t hurt or that you’re “fine” or “okay”, or provide recorded statements to insurance companies without speaking to an attorney first. Your words can be taken out of context and used against you.
- Keep copies of all medical records, receipts for expenses incurred, paystubs showing lost wages, and any other document showing your damages from the bicycle accident.
- If possible, photograph the accident scene and get contact information from any eyewitnesses.
- Contact a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney to discuss your case, understand your options, and learn how to protect your legal rights.
Contact an Attorney About Your San Francisco Bicycle Accident Claim
If you are involved in a bicycle accident San Francisco or lost a love one due to a bicycle accident, it’s important to act quickly to preserve your legal rights, avoid costly mistakes, and put your best foot forward for maximum compensation. To get the compensation for your injuries you deserve, contact experienced San Francisco bicycle accident attorney Alan Daneshrad to fight for you. Alan and his team will work hard to review the facts of your situation, conduct investigations, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and litigate aggressively on your behalf if needed.
You deserve maximum compensation for injuries from an avoidable bicycle accident, so let us look out for your best interests and treat you with care while you focus on physical and emotional recovery.
Our team has the knowledge and resources to provide dedicate representation and put your best case forward for recovery. We offer a free, no risk, no obligation consultation to talk about your case and get started. Call us at (310) 858-8239 or complete our online form to schedule your free evaluation. We’re here to answer your questions and help you start making the best of a bad situation today.
