Bike Accident Attorney Tarzana CA

According to the California DMV, every year over 100 bicyclists are killed and 10,000 are injured. Bicyclists have to share the roads with vehicles and follow all the same rules, but they are particularly vulnerable to being significantly injured if they are in an accident. A bicycle does not provide a rider much protection, so if a collision occurs, it is likely that it results in injury. A driver might not even know that they hit you, or they might intentionally run away, otherwise known as a hit and run. Cyclists who get into accidents often deal with many types of problems. Unfortunately, law enforcement doesn’t always take accidents with bicyclists seriously, and even if they do, insurance companies can be difficult to deal with. An attorney can help you with your insurance claim and your case if it goes to court. For a bike accident attorney Tarzana, CA residents trust, call Barry P. Goldberg. You can schedule a free consultation with our lawyers to learn what we can do for you. 

What Types of Damages Can I Seek Compensation For? 

If you have been injured as a result of a bike accident, you may be able to file a claim so that you can recover compensation. If another person was at fault and caused the accident, there are many damages that you may be able to claim, such as economic damages. Bike accidents can result in both mental and physical injuries. The physical ones can be really obvious, but your mental health should also be taken seriously. There are a variety of ways that people might be harmed including: 

Physical Injury | This is the most obvious kind of injury that people seek compensation for.  It refers to bodily harm, such as bruises, head injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and broken bones.Treating injuries, especially more severe ones, can come with a steep cost. If you have suffered physical injuries you are encouraged to explore ways that you can seek compensation so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for your medical treatment. Common types of bike injuries that people suffer from include broken bones, head and neck injuries, facial trauma, and road rash. Some of these injuries can take weeks or months to recover from. To get compensation, you need to be able to provide strong evidence. You will need to present evidence of injury such as medical reports, bills, etc. 

Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Following the accident, it is common to experience a loss of enjoyment for life. For many bike accident victims, their lives are changed drastically, and it can be hard to cope with an injury if you are not able to participate in activities that you regularly enjoy. The good news is you can seek compensation to help you recover and find joy in life once again. Being able to cover your injuries can help you restore your outlook on your life, since you won’t have to worry about how you are going to be able to pay for accident-related expenses. With help, you can once again participate in social functions and enjoy the hobbies you did prior to your accident. Discussing your case with a skilled bike accident attorney in Tarzana from a firm like Barry P. Goldberg can help you understand how much compensation you can seek for loss of enjoyment of life. 

Psychological Pain and Suffering | Pain and suffering entail the emotional harm that the accident caused you. It includes the short-term and long-term mental trauma you suffer as a direct result of the accident. These kinds of accidents might require you to seek counseling in order to become mentally healthy again. Psychological pain and suffering includes diagnoses like anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder that developed due to the accident. Everyone copes with psychological pain and suffering differently, so your treatment plan might look different than other accident victims’. Having records from a professional who has conducted a psychological evaluation can help you obtain compensation for these damages. You will need proof like records from a therapist or testimony from an expert witness to demonstrate the losses you have suffered as a result of the accident. 

Loss of Consortium | Sometimes after a traumatic experience like a bike accident, you may find that it is difficult to maintain relationships like you once did. Loss of consortium refers to how your social relationships with family, friends, co-workers and other people in your life are damaged or affected. Mental trauma can result in mood swings, depression and anxiety, which can lead to outbursts, hurtful words, and other acts that you wouldn’t have done previous to being injured. A loss of consortium can include a loss of:

• Companionship
• The benefits of marriage
• Intimate relationships 
• Ability to provide child care
• Ability to contribute to household maintenance and chores 

Common Types of Bike Accidents

There are many ways that bicyclists can get into an accident. People can be unpredictable on the road, and even if you take every precaution you can to ride safely, you cannot always anticipate other drivers’ actions. Some of the most common types of accidents that bicyclists experience include:

• Road rage. Some drivers become impatient around cyclists, because they travel more slowly than vehicles. This can lead to dangerous road rage incidents. 
• Distracted driving. Cyclists are much smaller in size compared to vehicles around them, so drivers must pay extra attention and watch for cyclists in proximity to them. 
• No signaling. Many drivers do not yield properly when they are driving near cyclists. Not doing proper hand signals can result in an accident. 
• Miscommunication. Sometimes drivers and cyclists have moments of miscommunication, such as who has the right of way.

Receive Legal Assistance For Your Personal Injury 

Getting into a bike accident can be a traumatic experience, but if you have suffered serious injuries you may be able to obtain compensation. Explore your legal options before you decide not to pursue a case. You may be eligible for a higher amount than you think. A lawyer can help you determine what information you need to share and if any witnesses should be called to testify on your behalf. For a bike accident lawyer in Tarzana, CA who will represent your best interest, call Barry P. Goldberg.