Bicycling is one of life’s great pleasures, whether you are out getting exercise or traveling to work sustainably. Sadly, a negligent driver can cause a serious accident. When that happens, our San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers are here for you.
At Sweet James, our California bicycle accident lawyers offer the care and compassion that injury victims deserve. We’ll fight for fair compensation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. Real Lawyers. Real Results.
What Makes a Strong Claim After a Bicycle Accident in San Francisco?
To recover compensation after a bike accident, you will need to prove that someone else’s negligence led to your losses. While it may seem straightforward, proving negligence is often complicated. Insurance companies may also try to shift the blame onto accident victims instead.
Your bicycle accident lawyer will investigate to determine who was at fault and whether multiple parties share blame.
Who May Be At Fault After a Bicycle Accident?
Determining fault depends on the circumstances of your case.
Potentially liable parties can include:
- A motor vehicle driver: If a driver failed to yield, was speeding, or was distracted, then they may be at fault.
- A company: If a commercial driver was involved, their company may be at fault if it had poor hiring or training practices, overloaded cargo, or failed to maintain the vehicle.
- A government entity: If poorly maintained roads led to the accident, a city or state could be at fault.
What Evidence Is Used to Prove Fault?
Your San Francisco personal injury lawyer will gather evidence such as:
- Witness statements
- Video footage, such as from a traffic camera or a nearby business’s security cameras
- Phone records to prove distracted driving
- GPS data
- Black box data, if a commercial vehicle was involved
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Police reports
- Blood alcohol content or field sobriety test results, if drunk driving was involved
How Can a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney Help With Your Case?
Whether you were injured or a loved one was, you shouldn’t have to deal with the stress of a complicated claim. Instead, you should be focused on recovering. Our legal team can step in to handle the entirety of the legal process.
In addition to investigating the accident, we can:
- Handle all communication with the other involved parties and their insurers
- Complete and file all necessary paperwork
- Negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf
- Offer advice on any offers you receive from insurance companies
- Represent you in court when necessary
- Handle appeals if your claim is denied
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay upfront costs. Instead, you pay our fees when we recover compensation for you. If, for some reason, we are unable to recover compensation, then you will owe us nothing.
What Can Be Recovered in a Bicycle Accident Case?
If you or a loved one was hurt, you’re likely dealing with painful injuries on top of the financial stress of medical expenses. Our lawyers will seek fair compensation for you to cover both the immediate losses and the future expected costs of your injuries.
You may be able to recover compensation for:
Medical Expenses
These include both immediate and long-term medical care, such as:
- Emergency medical care
- Diagnostic imaging
- Doctor appointments
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Medications
- In-home or facility-based medical care
Job Losses
These include lost wages, loss of job benefits, and diminished earning capacity.
Other Expenses
These can include:
- Property damage, such as the replacement or repair of your bicycle
- Home or vehicle modifications to accommodate a disability
- Transportation costs going to and from medical appointments
- Housekeeping or childcare costs, for services you can no longer do while injured
Non-Economic Losses
These are losses that affect your life but may not be associated with a financial cost.
They can include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if you are no longer able to partake in activities you once enjoyed
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a bike accident, we are sorry for your loss. Our legal team can fight to hold negligent parties financially accountable.
You may be able to recover compensation for:
- End-of-life medical expenses
- Loss of the decedent’s financial support
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Loss of the decedent’s emotional support
- The decedent’s pain and suffering
What Is the Timeline for Your Bicycle Accident Case?
Your case is dependent on California’s statute of limitations. Under these laws, you generally have up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to do so may bar you from recovering compensation.
In addition to timely filing, it is also important to move promptly on your case to gather evidence. Some evidence, like surveillance footage or skid marks, may be particularly time-sensitive.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident, there are a few important steps to protect your health and your right to compensation:
- First, always prioritize getting medical attention. Your injuries can worsen when left untreated.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- If it is safe to do so, take photos of the accident scene and of any visible injuries you have.
- If possible, collect contact information from witnesses.
- Call a lawyer to get started on your case as soon as possible.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving San Francisco Today
If you or a loved one was hurt, let us handle the legal process. At Sweet James, our clients are our top priority. We will advocate for the maximum compensation you are eligible for.
Contact us today to get started with a free initial consultation. We’ll listen to your story and go over your legal options.
Sweet James Accident Attorneys
San Francisco Office Location
870 Market St, Suite 611,
San Francisco, CA 94102
