In recent years, California has become one of the leading states in bicycle accidents. San Francisco, as one of the largest cities in California, greatly contributes to this statistic. If you have been in a bicycle accident, you are one of many that have been injured at the hands of unsafe drivers. The common idea when considering the cause and liability of bicycle accidents is that the driver of the larger vehicle, such as the car driver, is responsible for the circumstances surrounding the accident. This is not always true. The defense in your lawsuit will try to use every tactic in their handbook to place some if not all the blame on you. And with more proven blame in the courtroom, you’ll receive less compensation. With the knowledge and experience of a bicycle accident lawyer in San Francisco, you’ll have the tools you need to get the compensation that you’re owed.
It is common in personal injury cases to talk about the factor of negligence with regards to the liability involved in the accident. Negligence is to act, or not act, in a way that brings injury to another person. For instance, if you are the owner of a facility and fail to meet safety regulations, you are liable for the injuries that anyone sustains while on the premises. However, there is a “standard of care” that every injured person must also contend with in any personal injury case. A “standard of care” is making sure that the individual who suffered the injuries was not also negligent of their actions and surroundings at the time of the accident. For example, if a bicyclist was not following the laws of the road before the accident, and thus was negligent by failing to ensure their own safety, they are liable to have reduced compensation. Depending on the amount that the court considers the bicyclist to be at fault as well as the severity of the injury, the case may be dropped altogether. It is crucial to make sure that this does not happen during your trial. With the experience of a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer, you’ll be able to be compensated for your injuries.
