Bicyclist Injured in Foothill Farms Accident
A bicyclist suffered a major injury in North Sacramento on July 12th following a crash with a minivan. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the collision occurred in the Foothill Farms area shortly after 12:00 p.m. at the intersection of Roseville Road and Elkhorn Boulevard. Heavy traffic made it difficult for first responders and police to arrive at the scene, and the northbound lanes of Roseville Road were blocked due to the accident. At the time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash. The bicycle rider was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and further evaluation.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident
When a motor vehicle is in a collision with a bicyclist or pedestrian, they may try to place the blame on the cyclist or walker for their injuries. The driver’s insurance company knows that this tactic can be used to reduce its damage liability, resulting in a lower payout for a significant injury. This is why it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer right away when you’ve been injured by a negligent driver. The lawyer will send out investigators at once to collect evidence and preserve it since this is a significant part of protecting their client and building a strong case for recovery of damages. The lawyer will also obtain the police report to look for inaccuracies, interview witnesses, check video footage that may be available, and use accident reconstruction.
What If the Insurance Company Offers Too Little?
The first offer from an insurance company is usually low. This is because insurance companies are in business to make money. When an experienced injury lawyer deals with the insurance company on your behalf, you can expect the offer to become higher. However, it may still not be enough to pay all of your expenses. In cases like these, the lawyer will then build a case to present in civil court.
Proving Negligence
There are several ways in which a motorist can be at fault for an accident with a bicycle rider that causes a major injury. A lawyer can discover if any of these or other driver errors contributed to a crash. Some of the driver errors that can happen include:
- Speeding is a common cause of collisions with cyclists that result in a major injury. This is because the driver may spot the bicycle rider but cannot stop in time to avoid a collision.
- Traffic infractions such as running a red light or other forms of reckless driving can contribute to an accident.
- Distracted driving is a cause of major injury accidents with bicycle riders. It only takes a driver a few seconds when their eyes are not on the roadway to cause a collision. Common reasons are texting, changing a radio station, and accessing GPS.
- Drunk driving: Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs causes thousands of deaths each year. Because drivers under the influence are unpredictable, drive erratically, and are dangerous to others, they commonly cause accidents with cyclists.
Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. Bicycle riders who are injured by a crash with a motor vehicle often suffer severe injuries. This can lead to lost wages, high medical costs, and other expenses. However, when negligence causes harm to someone, they may be able to place a claim for fair compensation to recover those outlying costs. Please call me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice. Those outside the area code can reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400 or by filling out my online contact form.
I’m a California member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. It recognizes fewer than 1 percent of lawyers nationwide that uphold standards of excellence in their law practice. I also belong to the Million Dollar Forum, which is open only to lawyers who have won in excess of $1 million for a prior client.
You can find out more about my law practice by visiting these sites:
Over my 37 years practicing as an injury lawyer, I’ve helped many people in the Sacramento area, including those in Foothill Farms, in obtaining compensation. Some of the areas I specialize in are wrongful deaths, any type of motor vehicle crash, and catastrophic injuries.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_93628166_l-2015
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