Bicycle accidents can have devastating consequences. If you were hurt in Solana Beach, CA, you may be reeling from your injuries, property damage, and more. If someone else caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from there.
An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process and seek full compensation for your injuries. Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We have a consistent track record of success and can put our resources and skills to work for you today.
Contact our office online or give us a call at (619) 344-0360 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Solana Beach bicycle accident lawyers.
How Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Solana Beach
Our knowledgeable attorneys have over 20 years of experience representing injured clients. To date, we’ve helped our clients recover over $40 million.
When you hire one of our experienced Solana Beach personal injury lawyers, we’ll demand full compensation for you and protect you from any undue pressure from the insurance company.
We’ll also manage each aspect of your case so you have more time to focus on your recovery. We’ll take specific steps such as:
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence of the accident and your injuries
- Assessing the extent of your damages
- Negotiating a settlement on your behalf
- Taking your case to court, if necessary
When you hire one of our Solana Beach personal injury attorneys, you may recover a greater settlement or jury verdict than if you represent yourself. Contact our law offices serving Solana Beach, California, to learn more about how we can help your case.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Solana Beach, CA?
The number of collisions involving bicycles and e-bikes increased by about 50% in North County San Diego between 2018 and 2022. In 2021 and 2022, accidents involving a bicycle or e-bike increased to around one per week and accounted for 17% of all traffic collisions.
Most of these accidents occurred in Encinitas. In Solana Beach, bicycle accidents accounted for about 10 accidents per year.
What Is My Solana Beach Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Many factors influence the value of your bicycle accident claim, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The value of your property damage
- The extent of your other injuries or losses
- Whether you were partly responsible for the accident
- The applicable insurance policy limits
- Whether particularly egregious conduct, such as drinking and driving, was involved
It’s impossible to estimate the value of your case without evaluating the details of your case. Reach out to us for a free consultation and learn more about what your specific case might be worth.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in California?
California residents can recover compensation for their injuries in the form of damages. The two main types of damages are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages Available in Your Bicycle Accident Case
Economic damages relate to the financial costs of the accident. These are usually monetary costs already incurred or that will be incurred in the future.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Economic damages usually correspond to specific transactions and can be supported with receipts, invoices, and other documentation. While they are fairly straightforward to calculate, future expenses can be harder to quantify.
An experienced Solana Beach bicycle accident lawyer will review your case and assess the value of your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages Available in Your Bicycle Accident Case
Non-economic damages relate to the emotional or psychological impacts of the accident or injury. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or loss of consortium by a loved one
- Diminished quality of life
Non-economic damages refer to a victim’s subjective experience after an accident and the changes to their lifestyle caused by their injuries. They can’t be precisely calculated like economic damages.
Hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can be especially helpful if you’ve suffered economic damages. Oftentimes, these damages are the most lucrative part of the claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Solana Beach?
Personal injury attorneys, including our Solana Beach bicycle accident attorneys, usually charge a contingent fee. In a contingent fee arrangement, the attorney agrees to take the case without charging any upfront legal fees. The client agrees to pay the attorney a percentage of their ultimate monetary award, usually between 33% and 40%.
Under a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney only gets paid if you do.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident in Solana Beach?
Oftentimes, the insurance company or opposing party will claim that a personal injury victim was to blame for the accident. In California, you can still recover compensation for your injuries if you were partially responsible for an accident, though it may impact the amount of compensation you can recover.
California has a pure comparative negligence law, which states that an injured party can recover compensation from another at-fault party, whether they were 1% or 99% to blame for an accident. However, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault.
Imagine that you were injured in a bicycle accident and incurred $25,000 in damages. If the jury found you to be 30% at fault and the other party 70% at fault, you could still recover compensation. However, your financial award would be reduced by 30% to $17,500.
As you can see, being blamed for an accident can have a significant impact on your overall financial recovery. Your attorney will protect your interests and try to reduce your liability if you’re being blamed for an accident.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Solana Beach?
Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Alcohol use, whether by the cyclist or the driver
- Speeding
- Failing to yield at intersections
No matter the cause of your collision, you may be owed compensation by the responsible party.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in Solana Beach, CA?
If your bicycle accident claim proceeds to the filing of a lawsuit, you will likely need to prove that the defendant was negligent in causing the accident. To be negligent means failing to act the way a reasonable person would under the same circumstances.
To prove negligence, you must prove each of the following four elements:
Duty of Care
You’ll need to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care. That is, you must show that the defendant was required to act according to a standard of reasonable care regarding your safety and the safety of others.
Breach
You must also show that the defendant breached or violated the applicable standard of care. This may require proving that the defendant acted unreasonably.
Damages
You must show that you suffered injuries or other damages.
Causation
Finally, you must show that the defendant was the direct and proximate cause of your damages. A direct cause refers to something directly in the chain of events leading to the accident or injury. A proximate cause is a legal creation. It means your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s actions.
You must prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in California?
You must file your personal injury lawsuit within two years from the date of your bicycle accident. While exceptions apply in some circumstances, you will usually not be able to file your lawsuit if the two-year deadline passes.
An experienced California bicycle accident attorney will calculate the filing deadline for your case and ensure that your case is filed on time.
Contact Our Solana Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Bicycle crashes can have devastating consequences. A skilled Solana Beach bicycle accident attorney with Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers will guide you through the legal process and fight for you to receive full compensation for your injuries.
To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, contact our office today.
