Ventura Bicycle Accident Lawyer
At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, our personal injury lawyers stand with injured bicyclists in Ventura. We understand the immense physical, emotional and financial toll a bicycle accident can take on a victim. Our trusted legal advocates are dedicated to representing cyclists who have suffered injuries due to the carelessness and recklessness of others. Our Ventura bicycle accident lawyers can help you overcome the unique challenges presented by your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- We are recognized for our long history of success. Our bicycle accident lawyers have more than 80 years of experience and have collected billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
- We always make ourselves available to our clients. We have 10 convenient office locations, including one at 877 S. Victoria Ave., Suite 205 in Ventura, California.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis. Your Ventura bicycle accident attorney will not charge a dime in legal services unless you win your case.
Why You Need a Ventura Bicycle Accident Lawyer
As an injured cyclist, you may face difficulties trying to collect fair compensation from an insurance company for your injuries, medical bills and other losses. Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of injured accident victims to protect their own profits. Hiring an attorney will protect you from these tactics.
You can trust your attorney to advocate for your rights and best interests during settlement negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster. Your lawyer can use aggressive legal strategies and take your case to trial, if necessary, to ensure you are treated fairly. Meanwhile, you will have the mental peace to focus on healing from your injuries and moving forward.
Compensation Available to Bike Accident Victims in Ventura
Getting involved in a bicycle accident can affect many aspects of your life. You may be dealing with serious injuries, such as broken bones or a brain injury. Your injuries could potentially lead to lost wages from the inability to work, as well as expensive hospital bills and ongoing treatments. While no amount of money can make up for a serious bike accident, fair compensation can make it easier for you and your family to plan for the future.
You may be eligible for the following types of compensation as a bicycle accident victim in Ventura:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Ongoing therapies or rehabilitation
- Lost wages and capacity to earn
- Disability accommodations
- Bicycle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
Our Ventura bike accident attorneys at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP will work diligently to secure the compensation you need for both economic and noneconomic losses. We will help you pursue the various forms of compensation to which you are entitled by law for the harm caused by your bicycle accident. With help from our attorneys, you can avoid settling for an inadequate amount and fight for the case results that you deserve.
Proving Liability in a Ventura Bicycle Accident Case
In California, the person or party at fault for causing a bicycle accident will be held liable, or financially responsible, under the state’s fault-based car insurance law. As an injured victim, you (or your lawyer) must prove that the driver who hit you is at fault for your bicycle accident to be eligible for financial benefits. Establishing liability generally requires proof of negligence, or the failure to act with reasonable care.
Negligence has four elements:
- Duty of care: an obligation that all drivers have to drive prudently and obey traffic laws. They must take reasonable care to prevent collisions with cyclists.
- Breach of duty: an act or failure to act that falls short of the duty of care, such as drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding or failing to yield the right-of-way.
- Causation: proof that the defendant’s breach of duty was the proximate or actual cause of the bicycle accident.
- Damages: losses suffered by the victim because of the breach of duty, such as physical injuries and medical bills.
Hiring an attorney can make it easier to prove liability in a bicycle accident case. A lawyer can revisit the scene of your accident, investigate its cause, collect evidence, speak to eyewitnesses, hire crash reconstruction experts, analyze collision reports and take other steps to determine the liable party. Then, your lawyer can establish negligence or fault by presenting a clear and compelling case on your behalf.
Understanding California’s Bicycle Laws
In California, bicyclists share all the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. They have the lawful right to ride on a public road and have the lane to themselves. However, they should use bicycle lanes when provided and, if riding on the road, remain as far to the right-hand side as possible.
Bikers must obey all traffic signs and roadway rules, including red lights and stop signs. They must ride in the same direction as traffic. Other drivers should yield the right-of-way to bicyclists as they would other motorists. If a driver wishes to pass a bicyclist, the driver must maintain at least three feet of distance. Violating a traffic law increases the risk of a bicycle accident.
Statute of Limitations for Bike Accident Claims in Ventura
If you wish to pursue financial compensation for a recent bicycle accident in Ventura, don’t wait. In California, a law called the statute of limitations gives claimants a maximum of two years from the date of an accident to file a related personal injury claim. You could have less time than this, however, if you wish to hold the government responsible for dangerous road conditions or defects. Claims against the government must be brought within just six months of the incident. Contact a Ventura personal injury attorney right away to avoid missing your filing deadline.
Contact Our Ventura Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, contact Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for a confidential consultation. We care about our clients and are dedicated to pursuing justice for injured bicyclists in Ventura and throughout California. We believe that riding a bike should be a safe and enjoyable activity. Our lawyers are here to hold drivers accountable for wrongful acts that result in serious cycling accidents. For more information about a potential case, call (909) 944-1711 today to schedule a free evaluation.