Sacramento Distracted Driving Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Northern California is undeniably one of the most beautiful areas of the country, if not the world. The fresh air and the beautiful views are some of the biggest reasons so many people choose to ride their bicycles on the roads in and around Sacramento County.
Everyone who rides a bike deserves the same respect and safety the drivers of any other vehicle expect. Unfortunately, many automobile drivers become easily distracted and fail to notice that cyclists are sharing the roads with them. These lapses of attention can lead to dangerous accidents and catastrophic injuries for vulnerable bike riders.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Sacramento because of a distracted driver, you deserve compensation for your losses. The experienced Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm work aggressively to protect the rights of injured cyclists, and we will do everything in our power to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our legal team today by calling (916) 999-9000 or filling out our online form and find out what your legal options are. Our initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose.
Distracted Driver Bicycle Accident Statistics
Automobile drivers have a duty to remain alert to the possibility that their actions might cause someone harm. Sadly, road users have more distractions today than ever before. Despite the fact that California law prohibits car drivers from operating cell phones except in hands-free mode, the California Highway Patrol records accidents caused by these kinds of distractions every day. According to their statistics, using a cell phone to text while driving makes it 23 times more likely that a driver will be involved in an accident.
In a recent year, distracted driving caused 132 fatal accidents across the state. While the most commonly cited distraction was handheld cell phone use, many other injuries were caused by accidents in which the distracted driver had been using a hands-free device, operating a radio or CD player, eating, or even reading. What is particularly alarming is that these numbers probably underrepresent the reality, as some drivers may not be willing to admit that they were engaging in behavior that distracted them.
Common Injuries in a Distracted Driving Bicycle Accident
A bicyclist who is struck on the road by a distracted driver may suffer from serious physical injuries as well as the psychological trauma that often accompanies having your life turned upside down in an instant. Some of the most common injuries a bicycle rider can face in a distracted driving accident include:
- Broken Bones. Being struck by a vehicle that weighs two or more tons can do some serious damage to a bicyclist’s skeleton. Some of the most common areas of fracture are the collar bones, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, legs, and hips.
- Facial and Dental Injury. If a cyclist is thrown from their bike and lands on their face, it is possible that they will suffer chipped or cracked teeth as well as broken facial bones.
- Joint Dislocation. When a cyclist tries to break their fall in an accident, the resistance can cause them to dislocate shoulders, elbows, wrists, or other joints.
- Road Rash. After being knocked off their bike in a collision, it is common for the cyclist to slide along a rough road surface, causing many layers of the skin to come off in the process. Skin grafts are often necessary in such cases.
- Paralysis. In accidents that involve serious damage to the spinal cord, cyclists can suffer a loss of body function in the form of paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Internal Bleeding. If there is blunt force trauma to the torso, a bicycle rider may suffer from internal bleeding.
- Amputation. If any of the cyclist’s limbs are subject to blunt force trauma, sudden amputation can result. Alternatively, surgical amputation may be necessary afterward.
- Traumatic Brain Injury. Even for cyclists who are wearing helmets when the accident occurs, the collision can result in a severe concussion that leads to a traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, skull fractures and possibly permanent brain damage can occur.
Many of these injuries will be apparent immediately. Some, however, will have a delayed onset. It is vital for all bicycle accident victims to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only will this improve your chances of a good physical recovery, but it will also make your injury compensation claim go more smoothly.
Compensation After a Bicycle Accident
If you wish to file a claim for your injuries, you should aim to do so as soon as possible. In California, the statute of limitations allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you wait to file your lawsuit, you could miss the statutory filing deadline. If that happens, you will likely lose your opportunity to pursue compensation through the court system. Time may run out before you know it. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side early in the process can help you make sure that you are taking all the necessary steps in a timely fashion.
You could settle your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If an appropriate settlement can’t be reached, filing a lawsuit may be your only recourse for obtaining the compensation you deserve.
You might be eligible for compensation for your accident-related losses, including:
- Present and future medical bills associated with your accident-related injury
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Lost future income, if you have to change jobs or stop working altogether
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Contact a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident that was caused by a distracted driver, you deserve to be able to focus on your recovery without the stress of unexpected medical bills or lost wages. The experienced Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm could handle your claim so that you can focus on healing while we do everything in our power to secure the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (916) 999-9000 or contact us online for a free, same-day consultation to find out what your legal options are. We will listen to your needs and help you understand what we can do to get you the financial relief you need.
