If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Fresno, California, it’s time to call Carter Law Group. You shouldn’t have to deal with the costs and consequences on your own – not if someone else caused the wreck. Our experienced Fresno bicycle accident lawyers are ready to help you take action and fight for the financial accountability you deserve.
Injury victims and families in Fresno, CA, trust us because we offer honest, transparent, and passionate legal representation when it matters most. Backed by over 25 years of collective experience, our award-winning team has recovered tens of millions in financial settlements and jury awards – including some of the top verdicts in the state of California.
Now, we’re ready to be your biggest advocate and help you get a life-changing financial award, too. We offer a free case evaluation. Contact our Fresno bicycle accident attorneys today at (559) 485-1212.
How Carter Law Group Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Fresno, CA
Even if you exercise the utmost care while riding your bike in Fresno, CA, you can still suffer serious, potentially life-changing injuries if someone else makes a mistake. You shouldn’t have to navigate the aftermath of a bicycle crash on your own. You should take the opportunity to file a legal claim and demand compensation from a negligent driver, their insurance company, or another responsible party.
Better yet, focus on your recovery and trust an experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer to take charge of your fight for damages.
At Carter Law Group, we’re known for our client-centered representation and top-tier results. It’s why we’re recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Expertise.com, Best of the Bar, The National Trial Lawyers, and other respected legal organizations. We’re not afraid to do what’s in our client’s best interests and take matters to trial to get the best results. In turn, we’ve won tens of millions for clients like you.
When you ask for our help after a bike accident, you’ll be able to count on our Fresno personal injury attorneys to:
- Carefully investigate your case to understand how and why the bicycle accident happened
- Determine who’s at fault and identify the best course of action for holding them accountable
- Evaluate medical records, forensics reports, property damage, video footage, accident reports, and other evidence
- Interview eyewitnesses and other parties with relevant insight into your case
- Collaborate with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and other expert witnesses
- Calculate your damages and assess what your personal injury case is worth
- Bring your bicycle accident lawsuit to a Fresno County jury if the defense won’t make you a fair settlement offer during negotiations
Don’t stress about what it might cost to hire our law firm to represent you. We represent our clients on contingency. Pay nothing unless we win compensation for your bicycle accident case.
Now is the time to take action, so contact our Fresno law office to discuss your bicycle accident claim today. There’s no charge for an initial case evaluation with our Fresno bicycle accident lawyers.
How Much Is My Fresno Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
It depends. Every bicyclist will have a different experience after they’re hit by a car or thrown from their bike after their tire hits a defect in the road. The things that make your situation unique will influence what damages you can get and how much money you might be able to receive through a settlement or jury award.
Important considerations include:
- What types of injuries did you sustain in the bike accident?
- Are you still able to work?
- Have you experienced a change in your earning capacity?
- How old are you?
- What insurance benefits are available?
- Are you being blamed for the bicycle crash?
- What will it cost to replace or repair damaged property?
- What’s your prognosis?
- How have you mitigated your damages?
The more catastrophic your injuries, the more you can typically expect to recover through an insurance claim or bike accident lawsuit. However, some aggravating factors – like a failure to mitigate your injuries or contributory negligence – can limit your financial recovery.
Make the most of your fight for compensation by trusting Carter Law Group to represent you. We help clients achieve meaningful results, including some of the top case results in the state of California.
What Causes Most Bike Accidents?
Riding a bike can be a great way to explore the city of Fresno, but it’s also kind of risky. According to PeopleForBikes, Fresno ranks 208th among cities in California for bike safety. In fact, it scores just 19 points on the organization’s 100-point scale.
The city’s high rate of bicycle accidents is a big reason why it rates so lowly for bike safety. According to state crash data, Fresno recorded 91 bicycle accidents in 2023, in which 90 people were injured and two were killed.
While Fresno averages nearly two bicycle accidents a week, the truth is that most of them can be avoided. Many Fresno bike accidents happen because someone is negligent.
Negligence involves a deviation from expected standards of care, including:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failing to leave enough space between a vehicle and a bicycle
- Drug and alcohol use
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Dooring
- Illegal turns
- Unsafe passing
- Braking errors
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Signaling errors
- Rolling stops
- Equipment malfunctions or defects
There are times when factors beyond a person’s control – like bad road conditions, inadequate bike infrastructure, and poor weather conditions – contribute to bicycle accidents in Fresno.
Who Could Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
Under California law, liability is shared by all parties who contribute to a bicycle accident.
This might include the following:
- Motorcyclist
- Pedestrian
- Passenger vehicle motorist
- Truck driver
- Bus driver
- Bicycle manufacturer
- The city of Fresno, Fresno County, or the state of California
- Property owner
- Negligent party’s employer
Even playing a minor role in causing a bike accident can lead to liability for a victim’s resulting damages.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Bicycle Accident?
Bicyclists can also share responsibility for the accidents in which they’re injured. California’s pure comparative negligence system limits how much money an injured bicyclist can receive when they share liability. Damages are reduced proportionately to fault up to 99 percent.
If you’re assigned 10 percent of the blame for a recent bicycle accident in Fresno, expect a 10 percent reduction in damages to account for your negligence.
Working with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Fresno can help limit the impact claims of shared fault might have on your case. At Carter Law Group, we’ll be ready to do everything in our power to discredit these allegations and help you recover a maximum monetary award.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Frenso Bike Accident Victims?
Injured bicyclists in Fresno can seek compensatory damages through insurance or a civil personal injury lawsuit.
Compensatory damages can include two different monetary awards: economic and non-economic. Each type of award is intended to help victims deal with different aspects of their accidents.
Economic damages help to alleviate the financial stress that’s associated with a bike accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Funeral expenses
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate for the pain and suffering a bicyclist might experience after a crash, such as:
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Chronic physical pain
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- PTSD
Punitive damages can be sought if a bicycle accident lawsuit goes to trial. California permits a jury to award these additional damages to punish a defendant when there is clear evidence of oppression, fraud, or malice.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicyclists have very little to protect themselves if there’s an accident.
While bike helmets can – and do – save lives, riders are still susceptible to serious physical injuries, including:
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Degloving injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries
- Concussion injuries
- Brain injuries
- Neck and head injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
If you’re hit by a car while riding your bike in Fresno, make sure you report it to the local police and seek prompt medical care at the closest emergency room. Then, call Carter Law Group to get a jump start on your fight for compensation.
What’s the Filing Deadline for Bicycle Accident Claims?
Bicyclists have two years from the date of an accident to file a claim for damages in the state of California.
The statute of limitations has some exceptions. If a child is injured while riding a bike in Fresno, they may have until their 20th birthday to pursue compensation.
If you miss the filing deadline, you’ll lose the right to demand compensation from a negligent motorist or another responsible party. Don’t let that happen. Call Carter Law Group for help right away.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Someone else was negligent. They not only ruined your enjoyable bike ride around Fresno, but they also potentially changed the course of your life. Demand accountability. Trust Carter Law Group to help you navigate a legal claim for damages.
Our Fresno bicycle accident lawyers have decades of collective experience. We’ve helped clients win tens of millions, including several million-dollar recoveries. Count on us to fight to get you top results, too.
We offer a free consultation, so contact our Fresno, CA, law office now.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fresno, CA
Carter Law Group
2445 Capitol St #105, Fresno, CA 93721, United States
(559) 485-1212