If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in the Rancho Conejo Biotech Area, Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys can help. Bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable people on the road, especially in up-and-coming business districts like the Rancho Conejo Biotech area.
Bicycle accidents are typically severe, resulting in life-altering injuries that cause insurmountable financial and physical trouble for injured victims. Get the help you need with Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys. We offer immediate medical treatment and a swift legal process to secure fair compensation to get your life back on track.
Call us today and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
How Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help
Unfortunately, injured bicyclists are often neglected by insurance companies, only receiving the lowest amount possible for their injuries. On top of that, bicyclists are frequently blamed for causing accidents on the road by drivers, further complicating their path toward compensation.
At Quirk, we find this trend unacceptable. That’s why we protect bicyclists from being blamed for their injuries and maximize their compensation for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior (DUI, street racing)
- Actions performed out of spite
When Should I Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
If you only suffered minor scrapes or bruises from a bicycle accident, you may not need a lawyer. However, you should contact an attorney after a bicycle accident in the Rancho Conejo Biotech area if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect you and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all at-fault parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Rancho Conejo Biotech Area
Bicycle accidents have been on the rise in the Rancho Conejo Biotech area, mainly on Rancho Conejo Boulevard and Lawerence Drive. This has to do with the rapid growth of Conejo Valley, which has become a magnet for entrepreneurship in biotechnology and technology.
But as the area’s population increases, so does the risk of bicycle accidents. The most common reasons for bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
- Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in California. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
- Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): this action is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in California.
Bicycle Safety in the Rancho Conejo Biotech Area
The Rancho Conejo Biotech Area has a new construction initiative focused on keeping pedestrians and bicyclists safe while walking along Rancho Conejo Boulevard and Lawerence Drive. These streets are quickly developing a lot of foot traffic but contain segments without sidewalks and crosswalks.
The city plans to provide the streets with necessary sidewalks as well as marked crosswalks with striping and rectangular flashing beacons. While it is legal for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the street at unmarked crosswalks, it is becoming increasingly dangerous in the Rancho Conejo Biotech area as the tech district becomes more populated year after year.
Bicycle Laws to Keep Cyclists Safe
California state law permits local governments to form their own bicycle laws. However, there are state laws that apply to all bicyclists in the Golden State. These laws include:
- VEH 21202, cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except when passing, preparing for a left turn, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
- VEH 21960, bicycles, as well as motorized bicycles, may not be ridden on freeways and expressways as prohibited by the California Department of Transportation and local authorities.
- VEH 23330, bicyclists may not cross a toll bridge unless it is permitted by the California Department of Transportation.
- VEH 21201 (d) requires all bicycles to have a light when riding on a highway when it is dark.
- Electric bicycles are allowed wherever regular bikes are allowed, except for Class 3 electric bicycles, which have restrictions, according to SB No. 1271.
- Bicyclists under the age of 18 are required by Vehicle Code 21212 to wear helmets at all times
How are Injuries Calculated in a Bicycle Accident Settlement?
There are several factors used to calculate a bicycle accident settlement. Medical expenses, legal expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering will have a significant impact on the value of your settlement. However, those factors will all be decided by the severity of your injuries. When assessing the severity of injuries sustained from a bicycle accident, they are typically placed into one of the following three tiers:
- Tier 1: This tier is for the most severe injuries. Severe injuries tend to have the largest payout. These injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Tier 2: This tier is for moderate to severe injuries. These injuries typically require surgical intervention and deal with broken bones, fractures, and lacerations.
- Tier 3: This tier is for mild to moderate injuries. This generally includes injuries that do not require surgery, such as strains, sprains, and contusions.
What Factors Could Decrease My Settlement?
Understanding the factors that can potentially harm your bicycle accident injury case is essential to knowing the value of your lawsuit. While our law firm will highlight the reasons you deserve compensation, we will also work aggressively to protect you from the factors that could reduce your compensation. These factors include:
- Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to the accident could complicate and potentially decrease the settlement.
- Lack of strong evidence: The inability to prove the liable party’s fault or carelessness in the accident can undermine your case and reduce your settlement.
- Delayed medical treatment: Delays in seeking medical treatment after the accident may count against you as it implies your injuries were not that severe.
- Inconsistent statements: Inconsistencies in your statement or re-telling of the incident can hurt your credibility and diminish settlement prospects.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in the Rancho Conejo Biotech Area
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in the Rancho Conejo Biotech area due to a careless driver or hazardous condition, Quirk Accident & Injury Associates can help. We provide injured bicyclists with the necessary medical resources and the compensation needed to get their life back on track. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys today for a free case review and no-obligation consultation.