Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Why Do You Need Bicycle Accident Lawyers?

A bicycle accident attorney can defend your legal right to compensation when you have lost a loved one or you are not at fault for your injuries. You can rely on your lawyer’s years of experience investigating cases and navigating the claims process to ensure you leave nothing on the table when seeking damages for medical attention, lost wages, and emotional suffering. A bicycle injury lawyer allows you to put your full focus on wellness and leave the case work to the experts.

Tell me the impact of California comparative fault law

As a pure comparative fault state, California allows a victim to recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for an accident. If a cyclist caused their bicycle accident, they can more than likely still pursue financial compensation for personal injuries. Seek legal counsel for guidance.

Sharing lanes with motor vehicles is your right as a cyclist and you should not be held responsible for a driver’s carelessness. Here are the appropriate steps to take after your Fresno bicycle accident if you are physically able:

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1. Gather the information you’ll need to contact the driver(s) afterward, including their name, phone number, insurance details, and license and plate numbers.

2. Take down the names and phone numbers of witnesses to build your case.

3. By California law, accidents have to be reported to police within 24 hours if anyone is injured. If you speak with an officer at the scene, describe the events but do not take blame. Insurance companies reference these documents for injury claims.

4. Talk to a bicycle accident attorney to understand how you were wronged and what you are owed. Call Valley Injury Attorneys at 559-970-6370 to immediately begin work on your case.

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Medical attention should be your first and foremost priority after the accident if you were not immediately taken to the hospital. Don’t delay making an appointment. You may have sustained internal injuries or the adrenaline from the bicycle accident may have masked the severity of your pain. Insurance companies will also be on the lookout for evidence that your injuries are minimal or non-existent; procrastinating medical attention or not following doctor’s orders can both damage your case and the chance of maximizing your payout for your personal injury claim.

Anyone who operates a commercial motor vehicle across state lines has to meet safety standards, and a personal injury claim is warranted when a deliberate violation of these precautions caused physical, emotional, and financial damages. Here are 5 ways trucks can be at fault in an accident:

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1. Unsafe driving: Long hours can cause negligent driving, including speeding, tailgating, and failure to obey signs. But trucking companies are also subject to federal motor carrier safety regulations. Truck drivers are forbidden from engaging with any distracting devices whatsoever, including texting. They are also held to stricter limitations on alcohol consumption, including no alcohol four hours prior to a shift and absolutely zero percentage of alcohol in their bloodstream during hours of operation. A personal injury lawyer can police reports as well as secure footage from traffic and dashboard cams to account for any improper driving etiquette related to turning, lane changes, backing up, and signaling.

2. Lazy training: Background checks and extensive training should prepare truck drivers for working conditions. A CPL requires a 10-year history record check, a medical examiner’s report, and a knowledge test to ensure a driver’s competency. Further licensing, such as a CDL, then requires having held a CPL for 14 days and an additional skills test. A complete failure to secure proper licensing can lead to a truck driver violating road laws during work hours when you sustained injuries. If trucking companies hired inexperienced truck drivers, ignored a history of impairment, or omitted background checks entirely to cut costs, your Fresno truck accident attorney can find out.

3. Poor safety inspection: Vehicle inspection is mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations. Many trucking companies knowingly sacrifice safety standards, which can lead to faulty tires, breaks, etc. that cause the vehicle to lose control.

4. Improper loading: This can lead to loose cargo on the roadway and affect the truck driver’s steering. The occupants of a passenger vehicle can run head-on into any spilled cargo, or swerve out of the way, causing a collision with another smaller vehicle. All can result in medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage at their expense.

5. Long hours: It is a truck driver’s duty to remain alert, as cited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. To respect the safety of others, Fresno truck drivers are capped at 11 hours of driving and must rest 10 hours before another shift. They are also mandated to take breaks to ensure they stay awake. It is the employer’s responsibility to prevent employees from exceeding these hours.

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Accident lawyers can obtain camera footage, witness accounts, and driving schedules that validate the negligent cause of truck accidents in Fresno. At Valley Injury Attorneys, we will hold trucking companies accountable for their failure to uphold their responsibility for monitoring employee licensing and work hours, as well as truck maintenance. While you’re undergoing medical treatment, an accident attorney will also give you advice to avoid discrediting your claim, including following your doctor’s orders and refraining from social media posts. Either could undermine the severity of your injury and damage your claim.

Call 559-970-6370 for a free consultation with a Fresno truck accident attorney at our law firm.