Did a careless motorist recently hit you while you were riding your bicycle in Santa Ana, California? If so, that driver could owe you money for the harm they caused you, including your medical bills, your lost income while you’re out of work, and even the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Unfortunately, they’re not going to just give that money to you, especially if their insurer thinks it can get you to accept a lowball settlement offer, blame you for what happened, or simply deny your claim altogether. Don’t expect the insurance company to do what’s right by you. Instead, demand what you deserve with the help of an experienced bicycle accident attorney in Santa Ana.
DJA Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping people in your situation and getting them the money they need to get their lives back on track. We’ll take on the insurance company for you, fighting hard for every cent you’re owed while you focus on getting better—and we won’t charge you a fee unless we’re successful. Contact us today by calling (949) 229-7228 to get started with your free consultation, and let your Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyers demand the justice you deserve.
Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle
While bicyclists in Santa Ana have many of the same rights and obligations, they’re too often treated like an afterthought on the roadways. Drivers often crowd them, cut them off, or attempt to beat them at intersections. Worse, some even attempt to intimidate cyclists off the roads. This behavior leads to accidents caused by a driver:
- Speeding/driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Failing to yield
- Running traffic signals
- Making unsafe turns
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while under the influence
These accidents can severely injure a bicyclist, who might have nothing but a helmet to protect them from the force of a collision with a multi-ton motor vehicle. Potential injuries in Santa Ana bicycle accidents include:
- Fractured bones
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Abrasions, including “road rash”
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Amputations
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries because of someone else’s unsafe behavior, you could be owed compensation. This money will most likely come from the driver’s liability insurance policy, which California state law requires to cover at least:
- $30,000 in bodily injury to one person
- $60,000 in bodily injuries to all people
- $15,000 in property damage
These are just minimums; individual drivers may choose to carry more substantial coverage. In an ideal world, the at-fault driver’s insurance company would investigate the accident, determine their policyholder is to blame, and cut you a check that reflects the harm you’ve suffered. In the real world, though, the insurance company has a profit motive to pay you as little as it can. This might mean blaming you for the accident, disputing the extent of your injuries, or relying on technicalities to underpay you. Fortunately, you don’t have to just take the insurance company’s decision as final, because the Santa Ana bicycle accident attorneys at DJA Injury Lawyers are standing by to help.
While you rest and recover, we can:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to prove that the driver is to blame and identify any other parties who might bear legal fault for what happened
- Consult medical and financial experts to calculate the financial and personal harm you have suffered and may suffer in the future
- File your insurance claims on your behalf and argue aggressively for a fair settlement that gets you paid without having to go to trial
- Litigate your case in court if the insurance company won’t make you a reasonable offer
You deserve accountability and justice. Let us demand it on your behalf and at no upfront cost to you.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Santa Ana, California
According to the National Safety Council, the number of preventable deaths attributable to bicycle accidents has increased by nearly 50 percent over the last decade. Of the 1,360 bicyclists who died in accidents in 2022, 928—some 68 percent—were hit by motor vehicles. California’s Office of Traffic Safety estimates that 105 bicyclists were injured or killed in accidents in Santa Ana in 2022, a 17 percent increase over the 89 who were injured or killed the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bicycle Accidents
Still have questions about bicycle accidents in Santa Ana? Here are the answers to some of the ones potential clients most frequently ask us.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Many factors affect the value of your case, including how clearly the other party is at fault, how much insurance they have, and their insurer’s willingness to settle. That said, you could be entitled to money for your:
- Medical expenses and long-term care
- Lost income and diminished earning potential
- Damaged personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Our Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyers can give you a better idea of what to expect during your free consultation session.
What If I’m Partially to Blame for the Accident?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can still recover compensation if you were partially to blame for the accident. However, the compensation you recover will be reduced per the percentage of fault you’re found to bear. As such, it’s important to work with an experienced bicycle accident attorney who knows how to minimize your share of fault in order to increase your recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim?
California’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you two years from the date of a bicycle accident to file your claim. While certain factors could change this deadline, it’s best to act fast, as late filing could lead to a dismissal. Don’t risk this outcome—get in touch with a Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyer today.
Contact Our Santa Ana Bicycle Accident Lawyers for Help
If you’ve been hurt and someone else is to blame, you shouldn’t face the aftermath alone. Instead, let DJA Injury Lawyers help you demand the compensation you need to put your life back together. Contact us today by calling (949) 229-7228 and speak to a Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyer for free.