Stockton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Stockton Bicycle Accident Attorney

Thousands of California residents ride their bicycles every day for fun, for exercise, or as accessible local transportation. Most bicyclists are able to reach their destinations without issue, but riding a bike near motor vehicle traffic always entails a degree of risk. Bicyclists are allowed to use most roads in Stockton as long as they do not inhibit the flow of traffic, but bicycle accidents can happen unexpectedly in various ways. These accidents almost always result in serious physical harm to the bicyclist.

Legal Counsel for Victims of Bicycle Accidents in Stockton, CA

If you were hurt in a bicycle accident someone else caused, you have the right to pursue accountability and compensation for your losses. For most legal purposes, a bicycle accident case is similar to any other vehicle accident case, and the injured rider will need legal counsel they can trust to navigate their case successfully. The Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, can provide the compassionate legal counsel you need in the aftermath of a bicycle accident. We take time to develop individualized legal strategies for all clients we represent, helping them make sense of an otherwise confusing and distressing situation.

Proving Liability for Your Bicycle Accident in Stockton

Before you can recover compensation for the damages you suffered in your recent bicycle accident, you must be prepared to prove fault for the accident, identifying the party or parties responsible for causing the crash. Bicycle accidents commonly occur for the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents happen. Most occur because of negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel, but they may also happen because of intentional and illegal misconduct. A few commonly cited causes of bicycle accidents in Stockton include:

• Distracted driving, which is one of the top-reported causes of all vehicle accidents in the United States each year. Cell phone use behind the wheel continues to be the most common type of distracted driving reported in the state despite the state’s ban on cell phone use without hands-free devices.
• Speeding, which reduces how much time and distance a driver will have to avoid a collision with a bicyclist. The higher the speed of a bicycle accident, the more likely the victim is to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Moving violations, such as illegal turns or failures to yield, which can disrupt the flow of traffic, cause drivers to swerve, and catch bicyclists unaware. Bicyclists can move with motor vehicle traffic and take a lane on most roads, and nearby drivers are expected to extend bicyclists the same courtesies they show to other drivers.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, which is the most common example of illegal action that can easily cause a serious bicycle accident in Stockton. The driver responsible for a DUI accident faces severe penalties, which automatically increase when they have caused severe bodily harm or death.

No matter how your accident happened, you must gather evidence to identify the driver responsible and prove they directly caused your claimed damages. An experienced Stockton bicycle accident attorney is the ideal resource to help obtain traffic camera recordings, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence you may need to firmly establish fault for your bicycle accident.

Recovering Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in Stockton

The recovery process following a bicycle accident will largely mirror what you can expect following any motor vehicle accident. First, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. Every driver must have auto insurance that includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Your Stockton bicycle accident attorney can help file your claim and ensure the at-fault driver’s insurance company handles the claim in good faith.

Once you recover as much as you can through insurance, or if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can file a personal injury claim to recover the rest of your damages. California’s personal injury laws allow a plaintiff to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages a defendant caused. Economic damages include any direct financial effects of the defendant’s negligence or illegal actions, such as the plaintiff’s medical bills, property losses, and lost income. They will also have the right to seek compensation for lost future income if they were permanently disabled by their injuries and will be unable to work in the future.

Non-economic damages include the plaintiff’s pain and suffering. State law does not place a limit on how much pain and suffering compensation a plaintiff can claim in a bicycle accident, so if you suffered catastrophic injuries, it could form the bulk of your final case award. Other forms of compensation could also come into play based on the specific details of the case. For example, if the defendant caused your bicycle accident through DUI or some other illegal act, they could face punitive damages, which the judge handling your case can award at their discretion.

Whether you think you can fully recover from your bicycle accident through auto insurance alone or you will need to file a personal injury claim against the defendant who caused your accident, having an experienced Stockton bicycle accident attorney representing you improves your chances of success with your recovery efforts significantly. The Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, can provide the legal representation you need to approach your case with confidence, and the sooner you reach out to our firm, the sooner we can get started working on your case.

FAQs About Stockton, CA Bicycle Accident Laws

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Bicycle Accident in Stockton?

For most legal purposes, a bicycle accident follows the same framework as any other vehicle accident case. If you can prove another party is responsible for causing the accident, they are liable for all damages you suffered because of their actions. The total value of your case award can include your medical expenses, lost income, compensation for lost future income if you were permanently disabled, the cost of replacing your bike, and your pain and suffering. A Stockton bicycle accident attorney is your most viable asset when it comes to enhancing your case award and settling the claim as quickly as possible.

Can a Bicyclist Be at Fault for an Accident?

State law extends many of the same rights and imposes most of the same responsibilities on bicyclists as those that apply to motor vehicle drivers. Yes, it is possible for a bicyclist to face liability for an accident, depending on the exact details of the situation. It is also possible for a bicyclist to share fault with another party for their accident, in which case they will receive less compensation for their damages under the state’s pure comparative negligence law. The percentage of fault held by the bicyclist will be subtracted as a penalty from their final case award.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Bicycle Accident in Stockton?

There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in the state, and this time limit begins on the date an injury occurs. Two years might sound like more than enough time in which to file a case, but compiling the evidence and documentation you will need to prove fault, establish your claimable damages, and submit your complaint to the court can take longer than you may expect. If you intend to file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, you have an even shorter time limit for this, so it’s vital to connect with a Stockton bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident to have the greatest chance of success in your recovery efforts.

Will Hiring an Attorney Help Me Win More Compensation for a Bicycle Accident?

Even if you believe you have a solid understanding of the damages you can claim from the defendant responsible for your bicycle accident in Stockton, hiring an experienced attorney to help with the case can significantly improve the quality of your final case award. Your attorney can reveal channels of compensation you may not have realized were available to you, and they can also help accurately calculate long-term economic losses. Even after you account for your attorneys’ fees, you are more likely to secure a larger case award with an attorney’s help than you could manage alone.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Stockton Bicycle Accident Attorney?

The average person may worry about the cost of hiring legal counsel when they are already suffering the financial effects of an unexpected accident, but this is no cause for concern if you choose the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, to represent your case. We take personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning our client only pays a percentage of their final case award as their fee at the end of the case. However, there is no fee if our firm is unable to secure a recovery for you.

Any bicycle accident in Stockton has the potential to be a life-changing event, and the average bicycle accident victim will have lots of pressing legal questions they cannot answer on their own in this situation. If you believe another party is responsible for causing your recent bicycle accident, the right attorney can help hold them accountable and secure appropriate compensation for your losses. Contact the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Stockton bicycle accident lawyer and start working toward your recovery with confidence.