For many La Jolla residents, bicycling can be a healthy, convenient, and cost-effective way to commute around our city. As bicycling has grown in popularity, however, we’ve also seen an increase in the number of accidents involving bicycles. In fact, in November 2023, Fox-5 San Diego reported that California was the fourth deadliest state for cyclists.
Because cyclists are less protected than motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians, they can suffer a wide range of both minor and significant injuries when a collision occurs. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to pursue a personal injury claim in connection with your bicycle accident, but with Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers at your side, you’ll have experienced and compassionate legal professionals working with you at every step along the way.
If you’re injured in an accident, reach out to our team of La Jolla bicycle accident lawyers at (858) 585-9031 so that they can start working on your behalf.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in La Jolla
If you’re injured in a bicycle accident in La Jolla, CA, you have options to choose from when it comes to hiring a La Jolla personal injury attorney. Here are just a few reasons why you should feel confident about a decision to work with Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers:
- Experience: Our attorneys have 80 years of combined experience.
- Reputation: Partner Aaron Salomon has received an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell–the highest possible rating an attorney can receive! Mr. Salomon has also been selected as a Super Lawyer for five years in a row and has repeatedly secured a spot as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California.
- Results: For more than three decades, our lawyers have recovered over $100,000,000 in damages.
To ensure that our clients get fair compensation for injuries sustained in bicycle accidents, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers will:
- Investigate the circumstances of your accident.
- Identify the responsible parties.
- Gather evidence (e.g., police reports, witness statements, medical records).
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies and other involved parties.
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Depending on the nature and extent of your injury, our strategy may also include consultation with appropriate experts to help us build the strongest case possible for you.
What is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The amount of money that you may receive as a result of your injuries will depend on a number of factors. Many of these factors relate to the injury itself. Considerations include:
- The severity of the injury: How serious is the injury, and what are its long-term effects?
- Impact on daily life: How has the injury affected your ability to work, perform everyday activities, or enjoy life?
- Type of treatment required: What kind of medical care or rehabilitation is necessary?
- Duration of recovery: How long is your recovery expected to take, and is full recovery possible?
- Evidence of fault: Is there clear evidence proving that another party was responsible for the accident?
Making things more complex is the fact that you may not know the true “cost” of the accident right away. For example, you may need to make many visits to one or more doctors as part of your treatment. You may also need to try different medications and types of therapy. And, if you begin to experience trauma from the accident, it can take some time to get appropriate mental health treatment.
When you work with Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers in La Jolla, California, you can rest assured that we will gather all of the information necessary so that we can make an informed assessment of your claim. Our goal is to make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Damages are the losses you have incurred as a result of your accident. Because there are so many factors that go into determining the value of your personal injury claim, the calculation of damages is often complex. You may be able to receive both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are tangible financial losses, such as lost wages (e.g., did you have to miss work because of injuries caused by the accident?), medical costs related to diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused by the accident, and repair costs to your vehicle or other property involved in the accident.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress (which may result from physical injury), and loss of consortium (damages experienced by your spouse or close relative due to the injuries you sustained in the accident).
In rare cases, if the other party was engaging in extremely negligent or reckless behavior, you may also be able to receive punitive (or “extra”) damages. In each and every case, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers will use our extensive knowledge and expertise to build your case based upon a fair and accurate claim that takes into account all of the ways your injury has impacted you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer after an accident because they don’t think they can afford one. You have enough to worry about after an accident. When you hire Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, you do not have to consider hourly fees. You will not need to pay us any money upfront. We go to work on your behalf and will receive a percentage of the compensation you recover if–and only if–we settle or win the lawsuit on your behalf.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in California?
Under California’s pure comparative negligence standard, you can still recover compensation if you are partially at fault. However, your share of responsibility will limit the amount of damages you can collect. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. In fact, even if you are found to be 99% at fault for your pedestrian accident, you can claim damages for the other 1%. Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers can evaluate the facts of your case, determine whether there is comparative negligence, and advise you on your situation.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in La Jolla, California?
According to data collected by the Safe Transportation and Research Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2023, there were over 8,000 bicyclist fatalities and injuries in California. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the highest factors in fatal bicycle crashes are failure to yield the right of way and cyclists not being visible. Remember, in California, a cyclist may get compensation even if they are partly at fault for their accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit after a Bicycle Accident in California?
In general, California law gives you two years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are factors that may change this deadline, depending on the specifics of your case. The bottom line is that it’s best not to wait too long. Let Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers get to work on your case as soon as possible after your accident. This will help us build the strongest possible case for you.
Contact Our La Jolla Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
It’s not always easy to know what to do after an accident. However, you don’t have to go through this challenging time on your own. If you’ve had a bicycle accident in La Jolla, California, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We will evaluate your case and advise you on what to do next. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a La Jolla bicycle accident lawyer to learn more about your options.
