What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in California?

Understanding what causes bicycle accidents in California can help prevent them. The most common reasons these collisions happen include: Vehicles turning into cyclists' paths: Many drivers misjudge the speed and distance of cyclists when turning. Some even fail to notice cyclists altogether when they turn or change lanes. Dooring mishaps: Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger of a parked motor vehicle opens a car door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. Reckless driving: Drivers who speed, fail to yield, run stop signs and traffic lights, or swerve into bike lanes raise the risk of bicycle accidents. Poor road conditions: Road debris, potholes, damaged roads, and inadequate lighting call all play a role in causing bicycle accidents. Impaired riding or driving: People who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and diminished ability to control their vehicles, making them more likely to cause accidents.

What Do You Have to Prove in a Bicycle Accident Claim in San Rafael, CA?

Bicycle accidents, like all other personal injury claims, require that victims prove that the at-fault party was negligent at the time of the accident. To win, your lawyer will need to demonstrate that the following element existed when your accident happened. The at-fault party owed a duty to the victim; The duty was breached because the at-fault party was negligent; and Due to this negligence, the victim suffered damages In San Rafael, California, those who use public roads have a duty to do so in a manner that is safe and reasonable under the circumstances. For example, a motorist’s decision to drink and drive would certainly not be reasonable. Most examples of negligence are also instances of failing to act reasonably. For example, texting and driving and speeding in rainy conditions would be considered negligent, as would disregarding traffic signals and failing to yield the right of way.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in Bicycle Accident Cases in San Rafael?

The damages available to you in your bicycle accident case will depend on the losses you suffered because of the crash. To recover compensation for your losses, you must show that your damages were the direct result of the at-fault party’s negligence (and not due to some preexisting condition). Damages may include: Medical expenses, including future medical costs Lost wages Loss of earning capacity Loss of employment benefits Costs incurred to install handrails, wheelchair ramps, and similar accommodations Pain and suffering Emotional distress Other types of damages may also be available, depending on the circumstances of the case. Your personal injury attorney will be able to identify and pursue all available damages on your behalf.

What Is the Average Settlement for Dog Bite Injuries?

The average settlement for dog bite injuries can vary based on factors like the severity of injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Each case is unique, influencing the final settlement amount.

Will the Dog That Bit Me Be Euthanized?

In California, a dog that bites someone is not automatically euthanized. The decision depends on factors like the severity of the bite, the dog's history of aggression, and local animal control laws. Authorities may require the dog to be quarantined, trained, or, in severe cases, euthanized.

Who Pays for Dog Bite Injuries?

In dog bite cases, the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance typically covers the costs of injuries. If the owner is uninsured, he or she may be personally responsible for paying medical expenses and other damages. Victims can also seek compensation through legal action against the dog owner.

Santa Rosa Personal Injury Attorney

We’ve all had moments where we stumble – or even fall – as we go about our daily lives. Most of the time, these little trips are no big deal and cause nothing more than embarrassment. But in some cases, a slip and fall can lead to serious injuries.

If you have been hurt in a slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Through a premises liability claim, you can recover money for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more

Starting with a free initial consultation, a Santa Rosa slip and fall lawyer can help you determine if you are able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner’s insurance company. The Kuvara Law Firm will advocate for your rights throughout the process, working hard to get you the money that you deserve for your injuries. We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t ever pay a fee unless we recover money for you.

Santa Rosa Office Location

Location:

131 Stony Circle
Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Phone:

(707) 571-0405

Office Hours:

Open 24 Hours

When a person is injured because of something that someone else did – or failed to do – they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. A personal injury lawsuit may allow an accident victim to recover money for their medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and more.

Types of Cases We Handle

Our law firm has dedicated its practice to helping people who have been injured in all types of accidents. We represent clients who have been hurt in:

Car accidents
Dangerous and defective products (product liability)
Pedestrian accidents
Slip and falls (premises liability)
Dog bites
Motorcycle accidents
Bus crashes
Dangerous and defective products (product liability)
Truck collisions
Train accidents
Bicycle accidents
Boating accidents

Each of our cases starts with a free consultation, where we will listen to your story and offer you legal advice on how to proceed. If you decide to hire us, we will provide top-notch legal representation throughout the process.

An accident can result in a wide range of serious injuries. We have experience representing clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken bones, paralysis, neck injuries, soft tissue damage, spinal cord or back injuries, scarring, and internal organ damage. If an accident victim suffers a fatal injury, we will help their loved ones recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Filing a Claim for a Santa Rosa Personal Injury Matter

You have bills that need to be paid now. Do you want to wait months or even years of litigation to get the money you need to pay them? Do you want to endure the harassing calls of debt collectors? Do you want to be pushed to the verge of bankruptcy?

Or do you want fair compensation now?

At the Kuvara Law Firm, our lawyers are committed to getting fair compensation fast. If you look at our record, you will see that we tend to recover settlements far faster than our competitors, without sacrificing dollars. We consistently get fair settlements from insurance companies without the need for stressful and lengthy litigation and trials.

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Property damage
Reduced earning capacity
Scarring and disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional trauma

Your Santa Rosa personal injury attorney will typically start the legal process by sending a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. This letter will lay out the facts of the case, make a legal argument as to why their insured is liable, and then ask for compensation for your damages. The insurance company often counters with a settlement offer of their own, starting the negotiation process.

Most personal injury cases are settled before going to trial. If the insurer refuses to pay you fair compensation for your injuries, then your lawyer may recommend taking the case to court. With some exceptions, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of the accident or injury.

At trial, both parties will have an opportunity to make arguments, present evidence, and question witnesses. From there, the judge or jury will make a decision as to the defendant’s fault and the amount of damages that you should be paid.

Whether your case is settled early or goes to trial, a skilled personal injury attorney can help ensure that you get the highest level of compensation that you are entitled to under California law. Because most personal injury law firms handle claims on a contingency fee basis, you won’t have to pay anything upfront – and will only pay a fee if your lawyer recovers money for you.

I Was Hurt in an Accident. How Much Is My Case Worth?

As with most legal questions, the answer is “It depends.” Each personal injury case is unique, and the amount that you recover for your claim will vary based on the facts of your case. Factors that influence the value of your case include:

How serious your injury is
The coverage limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy;
If you were partially at fault for the accident;
Whether your injury will result in permanent disability;
Your income;
The amount of work that you missed due to your injury;
Whether your injury involved emotional trauma or pain and suffering

Your Santa Rosa personal injury attorney should be able to give you a ballpark figure of the value of your case, using their experience and knowledge of similar cases. However, keep in mind that this figure is just an estimate – and that as the case proceeds, you may end up recovering more or less money.

A Government Employee Is Responsible for My Injuries. Can I Sue the Government?

In some situations, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against a government entity for your injuries. Generally, this is possible when the government employee was acting in the course of their employment and negligently caused an injury. For example, if a Santa Rosa city employee rear-ended your vehicle while driving a truck owned by the city to get to a job site, you may be able to file a suit against the city.

Importantly, there are special procedures to follow when filing a claim against a government entity. The time limit for filing this type of claim is also much shorter. For this reason, if you believe that your accident was caused by a government employee, you should contact a skilled Santa Rosa personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer for My Personal Injury Case?

After an accident, you may be approached by an adjuster for the at-fault party’s insurance company. The adjuster may tell you that they accept liability and that they want to get a check to you quickly. While it may be tempting to sign the paperwork and get paid, doing so can backfire.

In many cases, the full extent of your losses is not immediately known. You may think that your injuries are minor, only to find months later that you still have not fully recovered. If you accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company, you may end up having expenses related to the accident that are never compensated.

Even if your accident was relatively minor, it is often a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer. The attorney can review the facts of your case and any paperwork sent by the insurance company, and give you their opinion on how to proceed. If you decide to retain a law firm, they can work to help you get the maximum compensation that you are entitled to under California law.

What Percentage Do Personal Injury Lawyers Get?

Most personal injury law firms handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This type of arrangement means that you won’t be required to pay any money upfront. Instead, you will pay a percentage of your total recovery, which may range from 33% to 40%.

Each contingency fee agreement is different, so you should review the document carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something. Typically, the agreement will state that you will pay a lower percentage of your recovery if the case settles, and a higher percentage if the case goes to trial. This is due to the fact that taking a case to trial can be time-consuming and expensive, so your Santa Rosa injury lawyer will be entitled to a larger fee.

We’re Here for Santa Rosa Accident Victims

Being hurt in any type of accident can be an incredibly traumatic experience. Injury victims may experience significant pain from their injuries and be confronted with mounting medical bills and other stresses. A personal injury claim can help relieve some of the financial burden on you so that you can focus on what is most important: your recovery.

At the Kuvara Law Firm, we understand how challenging the aftermath of an accident can be for our clients. We work hard to help our clients get the maximum recovery for their injuries, standing by their side throughout the legal process. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Santa Rosa personal injury attorney, contact us today at 707-571-0405 or fill out our online contact form.

Client’s Testimonial

I was in a car accident in April 2017 and got whiplash. I chose a very aggressive “alternative” route to my health care including chiropractic, acupuncture, bodywork, and therapy. Even though I had 50k in bodily injury coverage I was bullied by my insurance company that my treatment was excessive. The stress of dealing with the insurance companies was inhibiting my recovery and that is when I chose to go with Kuvara. Colby was my lawyer and was a pleasure to deal with. No longer having to deal with the insurance companies and proceed with my care, I was able to make a full recovery and all of my treatments were paid for. The settlement I received was fair and I am more than happy with it. I hope to never get in another car accident but if I do I am instantly contacting Colby.

~ Robin M.