You can ride your bicycle in Downey, California, and follow the rules of the road. Regardless, a negligent motorist can cause a bike accident. If this happens, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
At Simmrin Law Group, we offer legal help to those involved in a Downey bicycle accident. For more information, reach out to our law firm. We can connect you with a Downey bicycle accident lawyer who can help you pursue damages.
The Cost of a Bicycle Accident in Downey Can Be Significant
Research indicates that the costs of bike injuries and deaths from crashes in the United States exceed $23 billion annually. These costs include:
- Healthcare expenses, such as costs that cyclists need to pay to treat and recover from their injuries
- Lost work productivity costs that arise due to the fact that cyclists cannot work due to their injuries
- Lost quality of life occurs since a cyclist cannot ride their bike or enjoy other activities in the same way they did prior to their crash
The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends cyclists wear a helmet and take other safety measures to avoid injuries and fatalities in crashes. Even if a cyclist prioritizes safety, there is no telling when a negligent driver will cause an accident. A negligent motorist can strike a cyclist at any time, and the cyclist can suffer a serious injury or die.
At Simmrin Law Group, we are a law firm with many years of experience in bike accident cases. If you have been involved in a bike accident in Downey, get in touch with us. Our Downey bicycle accident attorney can review your case and help you pursue damages from anyone responsible for any injuries you incur.
Your Time Is Limited to File a Downey Bike Accident Lawsuit
California has a two-year statute of limitations for injuries that occur in bike accidents. This means you have a maximum of two years from the date your bike accident and injury occur to request compensation from any at-fault parties. If you choose to ignore this deadline, you lose the opportunity to seek compensation at a later time.
A bicycle accident lawyer in Downey will encourage you to file your personal injury claim right away. The attorney can also help you determine how much to request in damages. They will urge you to ask for economic and non-economic damages as well.
You can request economic damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and other quantifiable losses you suffer due to your bike accident and injury. Meanwhile, you can ask for non-economic damages for any suffering, pain, and other subjective losses. A bicycle accident attorney in Downey can answer any questions you have about damages and help you determine how much money to request in your bike accident lawsuit.
What to Expect When You File a Bike Accident Lawsuit in Downey
As soon as you file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Downey, you can work with your attorney to prepare your case. Your lawyer will help you collect and evaluate evidence, which can include:
- Copies of medical bills that show how much you have paid to treat your bike accident injuries
- Medical reports from doctors and other healthcare professionals that highlight the severity of your injuries
- An accident report that explains what happened during your bike accident
- Witness statements from the accident scene that give firsthand accounts of what happened during your accident
You and your lawyer will gather and review many pieces of evidence. In addition, you and your attorney will figure out what pieces of evidence are most relevant and most compelling. Once you find the best pieces of evidence, you and your lawyer can figure out how to present them to a judge or jury.
Along with preparing evidence, you and your attorney will get ready for your trial. Your lawyer will explain what happens during a personal injury trial. Also, your lawyer may conduct a mock trial with you so you get a good idea of what types of questions you will receive when you are on the stand.
How Negotiations Work in a Downey Bike Accident Case
You and your attorney should remain open to negotiations prior to your trial date. If the defendant in your case proposes a settlement, you can review it with your attorney. Then, you and your lawyer can decide whether to accept, reject, or counter this offer.
There is no timeline for approving a settlement. Over the course of your litigation, you and the defendant may go back and forth with settlement offers. If you receive a settlement that lines up with your expectations, you can accept it and close your case.
You should not feel any pressure to approve a settlement, and accepting one that falls short of what you want aligns with the defendant’s best interests — not yours. If you are not happy with a settlement offer, you can reject it. At this point, you and your attorney keep preparing for your trial.
How a Downey Bike Accident Case Gets Resolved During a Trial
In a trial, you and the defendant get the opportunity to share the story about your bike accident with a judge or jury. Your attorney advocates on your behalf, and the defendant’s lawyer does the same for their client. A judge or jury is responsible for reviewing evidence and testimony from both sides and rendering a decision.
A judge or jury considers all pieces of evidence presented by you and the defendant closely. The judge or jury will take some time to deliberate after both sides present their respective arguments. You will then find out if you will be awarded damages.
If you present a compelling argument, a judge or jury may share your point of view. This can lead a judge or jury to award you full damages. If this happens, the defendant is required to pay you 100% of the compensation you requested.
Get Started with a Downey Bike Accident Lawsuit
Simmrin Law Group can help you file your bike accident lawsuit in Downey and pursue the most damages possible. To learn more or request a free case evaluation, please contact us today.