Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represent bicycle accident victims in Modesto. If you or a loved one has suffered broken bones in a Modesto bicycle accident, our team of accident attorneys will help you get fully compensated for your damages. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Broken Bones Bicycle Accident in Modesto?
If you are involved in a broken bones bicycle accident in Modesto due to the careless actions of another motorist or a hazardous condition, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a bicycle accident attorney. One of the initial steps of recovering damages from your accident will be to prove the other driver breached their duty of care toward you, which led to your broken bones bicycle accident. An attorney can help you prove this by conducting a formal investigation. An attorney’s investigation includes collecting evidence such as:
- Police accident reports
- Taking witness statements
- Retrieving traffic footage
- Collecting camera footage from surrounding businesses or neighborhoods where the accident occurred
You should contact an attorney after a bicycle accident if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
How are Injuries Calculated in a Modesto Bicycle Accident Settlement in California?
There are several factors used to calculate a bicycle accident settlement. Medical expenses, legal expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering will have a significant impact on the value of your settlement. However, those factors will all be decided by the severity of your injuries. When assessing the severity of injuries sustained from a car accident, they are typically placed into one of the following three tiers:
- Tier 1: This tier is for the most severe injuries. Severe injuries tend to have the largest payout. These injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Tier 2: This tier is for moderate to severe injuries. These injuries typically require surgical intervention and deal with broken bones, fractures, and lacerations.
- Tier 3: This tier is for mild to moderate injuries. This generally includes injuries that do not require surgery such as strains, sprains, and contusions.
Bike Laws to Prevent Broken Bones Bicycle Accidents in Modesto
California Vehicle Code 21200 awards cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. This entitles bicyclists to the right-of-way just like all the other drivers on the road. However, it is important to remain aware of motorists as not all drivers recognize this law or respect the rights of bikers on the road. Other laws outlining the rights of bicyclists on the road include:
- California Vehicle Code 21209: this law prohibits other drivers from driving in the bike lane except to park in permitted areas, or when leaving or entering the roadway.
- California Vehicle Code 22517: this statute covers dooring. Dooring is when a driver opens their vehicle door into the path of an oncoming rider. Under this law, no driver shall open the door of their vehicle on the side that is available to moving traffic unless it can be done in a reasonably safe manner and without interfering with moving traffic.
- Bicyclists in traffic: cyclists are required to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible except when they’re trying to avoid a hazard, turn left, or when passing. They are also required to signal their movements when turning or preparing to change lanes.
- Riding on sidewalks and crosswalks: California allows cyclists to ride legally in crosswalks. Some cities permit cyclists to ride on sidewalks, but some cities have banned cyclists from using the sidewalks.
Average Broken Bones Bicycle Accident Injury Settlement
The amount your bicycle accident settles for is dependent on your economic and non-economic damages. These damages combined include:
- Hospital bills
- Current and future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Future lost earnings
- Physical therapy
- Surgery (if necessary)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In addition, the value of each of these damages will be dependent on their severity. The more severe your damages, the greater your compensation will be. For example, if your medical treatment costs more than $100,000, then it would not be out of the realm of possibility to request a settlement of over $100,000. However, it is important to note that each personal injury case is unique and the outcomes can vary.
Contact a Broken Bones Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Modesto
If you’ve suffered broken bones from a bicycle accident in Modesto, the accident attorneys of Modesto are here to help you get the compensation you need. Our firm has years of experience in bicycle accident law and will aggressively pursue fair compensation on your behalf. If you incurred damages as a result of another person’s careless act, then we will hold them responsible to the full extent of the law. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.