Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Attorneys

From saving on gas money to reducing carbon emissions, there are plenty of reasons to commute on two wheels instead of four. Sadly, even the most experienced cyclists cannot control the actions of negligent and careless drivers. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Bakersfield have seen just how debilitating these wrecks can be, and we are dedicated to helping victims and their loved ones fight for the compensation they need to get their lives back. The medical bills and other costs can add up quickly, which is why our attorneys do not charge anything for the consultation. We also handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about paying attorney’s fees unless we win. To speak with a member of our legal team, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS today.

What If the Liable Party Denies Fault?

There is a multitude of reasons why the liable party or their insurance company might dispute fault. If, for example, you were breaking a traffic law when the crash occurred, the defendant might assert that your own negligence was a contributing factor or even that you were entirely responsible for the wreck. Fortunately, just because the opposing party blames you for the accident doesn’t mean you were in fact liable. Even if you were violating a traffic law, it may still be possible to obtain compensation for 100 percent of your economic and non-economic damages if it can be demonstrated that the violation did not contribute to the collision or to the severity of your injuries. There are some circumstances, however, when an injured cyclist is held partially responsible for their own damages. In this scenario, fault would be apportioned in accordance with California’s comparative negligence laws. You would be assigned a percentage of fault, and you would not be able to recover compensation from the defendant for the percentage of your damages that corresponds to your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to have been 10 percent liable for the crash and you incurred $50,000 in damages, you would only be able to recover up to $45,000. If a liability dispute arises, there are many tactics your Bakersfield bicycle accident attorney might employ to help you pursue the highest possible recovery. To start, your lawyer will launch an investigation to compile all evidence of liability, which may include surveillance recordings, dashcam footage, the police report, and photos of the crash scene. Your attorney will bring together the facts of your case and the evidence and apply his or her knowledge of the relevant statutes and case law to try to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may enter litigation. The discovery phase would begin, during which your legal team and the defendant’s attorney would exchange documents and evidence and try to discern the facts of your case. Various witnesses may also be deposed. To overcome a liability dispute, your Bakersfield bicycle accident lawyer might depose an accident reconstruction expert.

What If a Defective Bicycle Part Contributed to My Accident?

Sometimes none of the parties involved in a bicycle crash are actually the ones to blame. Serious collisions can occur when a bicycle or auto part malfunctions. In this scenario, your attorney will perform an investigation to determine what most likely caused the defect. Depending on the circumstances, any party that played a role in the part’s development or distribution might be found liable for the defect. Your lawyer may review recall data, blueprints, and schematics to discern when the defect may have arisen. It may also be necessary to depose an engineer or product specialist to prove the existence of the defect and its cause, and to demonstrate that the defect was a proximate cause of the accident. In the state of California, the companies that manufacture bicycle parts can be held strictly liable when a manufacturing defect causes an accident. That means you wouldn’t necessarily have to prove that the manufacturer breached the duty of care in order to impose liability. This differs product liability claims from other types of personal injury claims that are filed on the basis of negligence. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we always perform meticulous investigations into every case we handle. We will devote the time and effort needed to identify all potentially liable parties, gather evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call Our 24-Hour Phoneline to Set up a Consultation with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield

If you are facing exorbitant healthcare costs and other expenses due to a bicycle accident that someone else caused, turn to Harris Personal Injury Lawyers for guidance. We are available 24/7 to take your call, and the consultation is free of charge. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message to arrange a case assessment.