Bicycle Accident Attorney in Baldwin Park, CA
Baldwin Park residents often enjoy biking for leisure, sport, or transportation. The 2.5 miles of bike path at Baldwin Park Greenway offer bicyclists a safe area to travel. However, the risk of an accident is high when riding in other parts of town. If you or someone you love has been injured, reach out to a knowledgeable Baldwin Park bicycle accident lawyer.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer to Represent Your Unique Case
The team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor has extensive experience helping bicyclists win their personal injury cases.
Our recent case results include:
- $1,100,000 for a client who was injured while riding his bike
- $500,000 for a client riding their bike who was hit by a car moving out of a parking spot
- $285,000 for a client who fractured their elbow during a bicycle accident caused by a cable construction project
We value empathy and efficiency when handling new client cases. Our team understands the long-term effects an accident can have on victims and works tirelessly to help secure a favorable outcome.
How California Courts Determine Fault in a Bicycle Accident Case
In California, 63.5% of residents report riding a bicycle, even occasionally. Without the physical protection offered to those in cars, bicyclists have a higher risk of injury. After an accident, you’ll want to hire a bicycle accident lawyer who can pursue maximum compensation for your accident.
When determining compensation to award a victim of a bicycle accident, California assigns everyone involved in the incident a percentage of fault. Courts understand that there are typically no blameless victims.
Even a small mistake can lead to an accident happening. Even so, victims can still recover compensation. Any final settlement awarded will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found to be disobeying traffic laws, you may be assigned 20% at fault for the incident. However, if a driver crashed into you while texting and driving, they may be assigned 80% fault. If you were awarded a $100,000 settlement, it would be reduced by 20%, making your final settlement amount $80,000.
During your confidential consultation with an attorney from Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, you’ll be able to discuss your situation in detail and your desired outcome. One of our skilled attorneys can offer transparent legal guidance to help explain the next steps.
Steps to Take After Getting Into a Bicycle Crash
Bicycle accidents in Baldwin Park are incredibly serious. In 2021, 125 bicyclists were killed in car crashes throughout California. After getting into a bicycle accident, there are key steps to take to preserve your safety and legal claim. These steps include:
- Call 911 immediately. Even if you feel okay, common crash injuries may not present symptoms until it’s too late. This includes concussions and internal bleeding. It’s important to be examined by a medical professional and have the incident reported.
- Get the contact and insurance information of the other party involved in the crash while you wait for law enforcement and paramedics to arrive. If the other party refuses to cooperate with you, don’t argue with them. This will only escalate things and can affect your legal case.Instead, wait for the police to arrive, and they can collect the information on your behalf. If the other party tries to flee the scene before police arrive, take a photo of their license plate and car, if applicable.
- Collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the incident site, including any property damage. Be sure to also take photos and videos of your visible injuries and damage to your bike and other personal belongings, such as your cell phone or clothing.During this time, avoid apologizing or admitting any fault in the accident. While you may have good intentions, this can be used against you later on in your legal case and may affect the outcome.
- Reach out to a lawyer before pursuing a legal case or speaking to insurance companies. While you can speak to an insurance company without a lawyer present, only provide them with basic facts about the accident. Don’t speculate about what caused the crash or admit any fault. It can be helpful to write down what you want to say before the meeting.
Remember, these companies are looking for reasons to avoid paying. Anything said can be used against you. If the insurance adjuster asks you to answer questions under oath or make a recorded statement, only do so with a lawyer present.
If your case cannot be settled and goes to court, it will likely be held at the El Monte Courthouse, located at 11234 East Valley Boulevard in El Monte, where we can confidently advocate for you.
Evidence to Gather in a Bicycle Accident Case
It’s important to gather diverse evidence in your legal claim. Courts will make their final decision based on the evidence provided by both sides during your case. One of the attorneys at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor can help you collect:
- Statements from anyone who witnessed the accident. Your lawyer will be able to reach out to eyewitnesses early on in your case to collect their testimony. It’s critical to do this quickly, as memories may fade over time.
- Statements from professionals about what they believe caused the incident
- Photos and videos taken at the time of the crash
- Copies of the initial incident report
- Copies of your medical records and medical bills
- Dashcam, surveillance, and traffic camera footage of the actual accident. This is key to showing what caused the incident. You’ll need to gather this as soon as possible, as recordings often are overwritten after a certain amount of time.
Those injured during a bicycle accident have two years to file their legal claim with the court. However, if your claim involves a government agency, you have six months to file. This can include cases involving construction sites, police cars, or garbage trucks.
Choose an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm in California
Reach out to Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor today to schedule your confidential consultation. Having a strong legal advocate on your side is key to a successful outcome. No one should have to go through their legal case alone. Our attorneys are proud to be a part of our clients’ support systems during difficult times in life, as we strive to help them seek brighter futures.