A Top Rated Bicycle Accident Attorney in Sacramento
Every day, Sacramento residents bike to work, to school, or just for fun. Biking has a multitude of benefits, from increased muscle strength to decreased stress level. It is also a low cost and efficient way to get around, but when bicyclists ride alongside motor vehicles, there is risk involved. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Sacramento by a negligent driver, we can help.
An experienced Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer can represent you in the event you were hit by a car while out riding. We will look at all sides of your case to determine how the driver caused your accident and injuries. We will bring that party to justice while recovering maximum compensation for you. That is the Alpha promise.
Call us today to schedule your free complimentary case review with our Sacramento personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a potential case. You are under no obligation to hire us after your free consultation.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents?
Sacramento remains one of the deadliest cities in the U.S. for bicyclists. Sacramento County ranked 8th in bicycle accident fatalities from 2011 to 2020, according to statistics compiled from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Despite the city’s efforts to eliminate bicycle deaths under the Vision Zero plan, the lack of bike lanes and speeding cars are two major obstacles for bicycle safety in the state’s capital.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents involving driver negligence include:
- Distracted driving
- Left-turn accidents
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield
- Impaired driving
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Drowsy driving
- Dooring
Negligence is important in a personal injury claim because it determines who is liable for the damages caused by the accident. Negligence is a legal term that means a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in the same situation. To prove negligence in a bicycle accident case, the injured cyclist must show the driver or other party owed a duty of care, breached the duty of care, caused the injuries, and incurred damages.
Why You Need a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycle accidents cause stress, pain, and frustration. A specialized bicycle accident lawyer has the resources to help victims obtain the compensation they deserve and protect their rights. When you hire our Sacramento bicycle accident lawyers, they will:
- Help you understand the California bicycle laws that apply to your case
- Pursue a thorough investigation and gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, income statements, and more
- File an insurance claim and correspond with the insurance company
- File a personal injury lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Many times, insurance adjusters will offer victims lowball settlement offers in the hopes of settling quickly. If you accept a settlement without contacting an attorney first, you will leave a lot of money on the table. A bicycle accident attorney will ensure you receive the maximum compensation to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
START YOUR FREE CONSULTATIONExpertise in Bicycle Accident Law
At our personal injury law firm in Sacramento, we understand the ins and outs of bike accidents. Our legal team is well-versed in all of California’s bicycle laws and regulations, and we know first hand what it means to be a bicyclist in the state. We understand that if a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, bike accident victims may suffer from severe injuries including traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injury.
Our law firm has connections with the top medical professionals in Northern California, and we will help you get the medical attention you need. Call our Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bike crash.
How Our Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyers Investigate Claims
When you hire Alpha Accident Lawyers, we will make sure we investigate your bike accident claim thoroughly. We will:
- Interview expert witnesses
- Obtain police report
- Review medical records
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts
- Evaluate other sources of evidence, such as dashcam footage or surveillance camera footage
Our law firm follows a rigorous and thorough process to investigate bicycle accidents and build solid cases for our clients. We use all the available resources and tools to gather crucial evidence and prove fault in bicycle accident cases. We are committed to seeking full compensation for our clients' injuries and losses. If you or someone you know has been involved in a bicycle accident, contact our law firm for a free consultation.
Who Is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident?
Determining fault in a bike accident can be a complex and challenging process because both cyclists and motor vehicle drivers must respect the rules of the road. Even in cases where the driver clearly violated traffic laws, like speeding, the victim (the plaintiff) must still prove the defendant caused the accident and injuries. Other liable parties in bicycle accidents may include negligent manufacturers, a city or government, or property owner.
California follows what is known as “pure comparative negligence.” This means that the injured victim can recover damages from any other party who was at fault, even if they were also partly at fault for the accident. However, this also reduces the compensation available to the injured victim.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies often try to take advantage of cyclists by putting the blame on them, and not the driver. They will try to contact you shortly after the crash and get you to accept a settlement or admit to fault. Some of the common tactics used by insurance adjusters are:
- Request a recorded statement: Insurance adjusters may ask bicycle accident victims to give a recorded statement about the bike accident or injury, claiming that it is necessary for the claim process. However, this is a trap to get the victims to admit fault, minimize their injuries, or contradict their previous statements. The insurance adjusters may also twist the victims' words or take them out of context to reduce or deny their claim.
- Record the conversations: The insurance company may also record the phone conversations without victims’ consent or knowledge. They may use this as an opportunity to ask leading or confusing questions, or to pressure the victims to accept a lowball offer. They may also use the recordings as evidence to challenge the victims' credibility or consistency.
- Intimidation: Insurance adjusters may use threats or scare tactics to coerce the victims into accepting a low settlement or dropping their claim. They may tell the victims that they have no case, that they will lose in court, that they will face legal consequences, or that they will receive nothing if they do not agree to their offer. They may also imply that hiring a lawyer is unnecessary or expensive.
- Pressure to settle: Insurance adjusters may try to persuade the victims to settle their claim as soon as possible, before they have a chance to consult a bike accident lawyer or know the full extent of their damages. They may offer a lump sum payment that seems attractive, but is actually much lower than what the victims deserve.
Our Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys don’t fall for their deceitful tactics, and we will protect you from losing your right to fair compensation.
Understanding Your Rights as a Cyclist
Under California law, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. This means that cyclists have the right to use the road safely and legally, and that drivers have the duty to respect and share the road with cyclists. In the event of a bike accident with another cyclist, a motor vehicle, or a pedestrian, they are afforded the same protections as anyone involved in an auto accident.
Because cyclists share the road with other vehicles, this puts them at a great disadvantage. Drivers who speed, talk, or text may hit a cyclist traveling down the street or making a turn, causing them irreparable harm. Too many innocent cyclists have suffered serious injuries or lost their lives at the hands of negligent drivers. Our Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys will fight for your rights and hold the negligent party accountable.
No-Fee Guarantee and Free Consultation
A huge benefit of hiring a bicycle accident attorney is that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This is different from a fixed hourly fee, which can prevent clients from obtaining legal representation. A contingency fee means the lawyer will work on your case at no upfront cost until they win a settlement for you. When you receive your settlement, the lawyer will collect a fee. If they are not successful in your case, you will not pay anything. That is our “No Win, No Fee” guarantee.
Additionally, most personal injury lawyers will offer a free case evaluation to understand your case and talk about possible next steps. Alpha Accident Lawyers takes pride in giving free legal advice to anyone who calls or walks through our door.
Contact us to learn more about our contingency fee arrangement and free consultation.
Contact Alpha Accident Lawyers in Sacramento
Our personal injury law firm is located at 1201 J St Suite 337, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Trusted Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Do not leave your bicycle accident claim up to luck. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we get the results our clients need and deserve. Our Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Since our inception, we have maintained a 99% success rate among all of our cases.
With our contingency fee, hiring one of our experienced attorneys is completely risk free and at no upfront cost to you. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident involving a negligent or other party, do not wait to get legal representation. We are available to discuss your case 24/7. Schedule a free consultation today to ensure your right to fair compensation.
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