What’s the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents in California?

Riding a bike is a fantastic way to get around; it’s good for your health, inexpensive, and sustainable. However, there are also many risks, especially when cycling alongside the road. Even with full protective gear, being stuck in a vehicle can be catastrophic and may lead to lifelong physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardships. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in California, you can claim compensation within the two-year statute of limitations.

 

California Statute of Limitations

After suffering an injury in a bicycle accident, the most important thing is taking care of recovery, which can be a long and arduous journey. However, if you want to claim compensation to cover damages, you’ll have to get the ball rolling on putting a claim together. In California and many other states, the statute of limitations (time limit) on personal injury claims, including bicycle accident claims, is two years after the accident date.

Following medical assessments, the very first thing we recommend is contacting Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a free consultation with an expert bicycle accident injury lawyer. There will be zero obligation and all you need is relevant evidence and a willingness to answer personal questions.

 

When Does the Statute of Limitation Not Apply?

There are only three circumstances that will set aside the two-year statute of limitations, and these are:

  • Minors. If the victim of a bicycle accident is considered a minor (under 18), the statute of limitations is put on hold (tolled) until their 18th birthday, and then the two years begin to count down.
  • Government negligence. If your bicycle was hit by a driver working for a governmental entity, there’s a completely different legal process to follow. Instead of the two-year statute of limitations, you will have only six months to file a claim with the government.

To find out the deadline for your individual circumstances, you’ll need to use an experienced bicycle accident law firm like Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys. Our professional team will let you know what the deadlines are as well as provide you with tailored legal advice, and that’s all part of the free consultation.

 

What to Do Following a Bicycle Accident

Being involved in a bicycle accident can leave your brain feeling scrambled, and the last thing on your mind will be seeking compensation. However, the actions you take after the incident can impact your chances of filing a successful claim.

The very first thing you need to do following a bicycle accident is get to a safe place away from the road – if your injuries allow and it’s safe to do so. Once safe, you need to call 911 and report the incident to the police.

While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, quickly assess your wounds and collect essential information and evidence. To start with, you need to have details about the negligent driver including registration number and insurance details. We also recommend taking this time to talk with potential witnesses and collect their contact details. As well as this, you should take pictures of the scene from different angles.

The police will have likely arrived by now, at which point you need to tell them everything you remember in as much detail as possible. Make sure you note down the incident number because your bike accident lawyer will need it to build your case.

When the police tell you it’s okay to leave, the first thing you need to do is attend a medical assessment and collect any medical records. This is essential because we need to prove you were injured, the extent of the injuries, and how long they will impact your life.

Next up on your list of tasks is contacting Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys to schedule a free consultation. We recommend doing this before getting in touch with your insurance company, as it allows the opportunity to discover the extent of the claim and decide which actions to take. As well as this, if you decide to work with our bike accident attorney, we will talk to any parties on your behalf.

 

Types of Recoverable Compensation in Bicycle Accident Cases

After being involved in an accident and suffering injuries, you will be able to claim compensation for a number of different damages. Aside from the obvious physical damage, the purpose of compensation is to cover medical expenses, which can be phenomenally high depending on the extent of the injuries and the recovery time.

If your injuries are serious enough to leave you out of work, compensation will account for any loss of earnings. This isn’t only up to the date of claim; it will cover any future loss of earnings if your rehabilitation extends the two-year period. We will liaise with medical professionals and your employers to prove the expense of your financial loss.

You can also claim for pain and suffering, which is the non-financial impact of your bicycle accident. This may include discomfort, a loss of enjoyment, the inability to do activities, and anything else impacted by the accident. Alongside this, you can claim damages for emotional trauma including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

In cases where the victim sadly dies, certain remaining family members can bring those responsible to justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

To make sure you get the compensation you deserve, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney backing your corner. We will investigate the accident from every angle possible, and we’ll guide you through the complex legal system to make sure you’re not coerced into taking a subpar settlement.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident in California, get in touch with Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys now for a free consultation.

Nine Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

While you rely on your motorcycle to get around, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of riding one. You have a good chance (98% or 96% for multiple or single vehicle collisions, respectively) of sustaining an injury. Many such incidents lead to severe injuries, disabilities, and even death.

It is important to be a cautious driver, use defensive driving techniques, keep your motorcycle in a good state of repair, and avoid reckless and dangerous behaviors, such as drunken driving or weaving in and out of traffic. If your motorcycle accident is the result of negligence on the part of the motorist who collided with a motorcycle, then you will need the services of the best motorcycle accident attorney in your area.

With annual motorcycle accident deaths reaching beyond 5,000 a year, 28 times more often when a motorcycle is involved compared to other vehicles, surviving family members may need a personal injury attorney with experience in wrongful death cases.

Here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we have recovered over $150 million for victims of accidents just like this. In our experience, and using recent data, here are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

 

Failing to See the Motorcycle in Time

In 50% of motorcycle accidents, the motor vehicle operator simply doesn’t see the motorcyclist because they aren’t paying attention. This led to them not seeing the motorcyclist in time to prevent an accident. You can take measures to increase your visibility on the road by:

  • Wearing the appropriate protective gear
  • Putting headlights on
  • Signaling
  • Avoiding a motorist’s blind spot
  • Wear bright colors with reflective material

The most common site for motorcycle accidents is at intersections (70%) with motorists claiming not to have seen them. Car drivers also make the assumption that the motorcycle is traveling at a lower speed than it actually is due to its small size. Another frequent site for these incidents is the freeway during lane changes or when traffic comes to a standstill. Multiple vehicle pileups often occur when a motorcyclist is tailgated in traffic that is slowing down.

If you are injured in an accident, a personal injury accident lawyer can assist you by investigating the accident and determining if the driver of the other vehicle is to blame. Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a free consultation.

Inclement Weather

Unpredictable bad weather can contribute to motorcycle accidents. It is a time when you should exercise great care due to slippery road surfaces or encounter obstacles that can cause you to lose control of your motorcycle. Motorists have a duty to drive safely according to road and weather conditions. This duty of care is towards other road users, such as motorcyclists. You should contact us if you need a motorcycle accident lawyer to examine your case. We care about getting you the compensation you deserve to deal with the costs and suffering caused by a motorcycle accident.

Driving When Under the Influence

Both motorcyclists and other drivers on the road need to avoid negligence by operating a vehicle when under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which impairs the ability to drive safely. Even a small quantity of alcohol can cause major impairment.

 

Mechanical Problems with Motor Vehicles

Many incidents are the result of a failure to fix mechanical problems on a vehicle, such as a car, bus, or truck. Motorcyclists should ensure that they are not guilty of this. Give the best motorcycle accident lawyer a call if you have been injured in an accident so that we can determine if you have a claim.

 

Left-Turning Cars

The most frequent reason that cars collide with motorcycles is that they do not see them or misjudge their speed when the driver is turning left. This type of incident does happen between two cars as well. However, a person on a motorcycle is more vulnerable to serious injury as their bodies are largely unprotected.

 

Switching Lanes

Motorcyclists are more easily hidden in a driver’s blind spot due to their smaller size. Be aware of cars moving into your space and look out for a quick exit from the situation. This does not remove a driver’s onus to exercise a duty of care.

 

Being Tailgated by a Car

Being tailgated by a car is the typical fender bender that occurs all too often. The driver is coming up behind you as you slow down and come to a halt in compliance with a traffic light or stop sign. However, their failure to pay attention caused them not to realize that they also had to reduce speed and stop their vehicle. In some instances, the cause was that they lost control of their vehicle.

Many motorcyclists meet their demise when they are tailgated in these situations, while others may suffer the fate of becoming disabled for life or needing months to years of hospitalization and loss of income with massive expenses. This is when you need a personal injury accident attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys to take up the baton for you and get you all the compensation that will help you to get your life back.

 

Head-on Collision

A head-on collision is the exact opposite of tailgating. It is also a frequent cause of death for motorcyclists.

 

Opening a Car Door

A motorcyclist riding past a line of stationary cars may feel that it is safe to do so. However, what sometimes happens is that one of these cars suddenly opens their car door without first checking that it is safe to do so. The motorcyclist gets hit by the door and may be thrown off their bike and injured.

Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have offices in California, Texas, and Nevada. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us for a free consultation to assess the merits of your case. You only pay us when you get paid out.

What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a stressful experience, often leaving accident victims feeling overwhelmed and unsure of the next steps to take. However, your actions after an accident can significantly impact your health and your potential auto accident claim. Therefore, knowing what to do after a motor vehicle accident is critical to protect yourself and your claim. Below, our motor vehicle accident lawyers cover essential steps to take after a serious accident.

 

1. Call 9-1-1 to Report the Accident to Law Enforcement

The initial shock and adrenaline may distract you from any immediate pain, so look for any visible injuries before moving or getting out of your vehicle. Then, if you are physically able, check on any passengers and the other motorist.

You should call law enforcement to report the accident. If anyone needs medical attention, request emergency medical responders at this time. Police officers may come to the scene to investigate the accident and create a police report of the crash.

2. Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Once you have addressed immediate safety concerns, you need to gather and exchange information with the other driver. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys recommend obtaining the following contact and insurance information:

  • Name
  • Contact details
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance provider
  • Insurance policy number
  • Make and model of the other vehicle
  • License plate number

If there are any witnesses to the accident, request their contact information too.

3. Preserve Evidence by Documenting the Accident Scene

Before you leave the accident scene, spend time documenting the accident with pictures. These photos may be critical evidence to support your potential accident claim. Important things to photograph include:

  • Visible injuries
  • Vehicle damages
  • The other vehicle
  • Road conditions
  • Weather conditions

4. Get a Medical Evaluation

Regardless of how you feel, always get a complete medical examination after an accident. We recommend getting one during the first 24 hours after an accident.

Certain injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms right away. You want to make sure you do not have any injuries that may get worse if untreated. Additionally, a medical evaluation gives you the necessary medical documentation to support your claim.

5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

In the following days, contact your insurance company to report the accident. Be factual and avoid speculating about accident liability or your injuries. You should avoid providing a detailed statement until you have consulted with an experienced attorney.

6. Discuss Your Situation With a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Consider contacting an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney soon after the crash to discuss your case. If you have suffered injuries and damages due to the accident, filing an accident claim may be your only way of recovering your costs. An attorney can help you understand your best legal options for protecting your legal rights and moving forward.

 

Get a Free Case Review From Our Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys

At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we help accident victims seek justice and compensation for their injuries. Our law firm has extensive experience and success in handling motor vehicle accident cases throughout California, Nevada, and Texas. We may be able to help you on your journey to recovery too.

Our firm provides a free, no-risk consultation to discuss your unique situation and your options for recovering compensation. We can also determine whether we can help you. Call us at (888) 779-1180 or contact us online to schedule yours.

 

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The Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Claim

accident and injury lawyers

When you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may consider hiring a lawyer for accidents. You would want someone to be responsible for your injuries and pay the consequences. But there is a thought that hovers in your mind, what are the chances of winning this suit? Is it all worth it? Will I just relive the pain and would result in nothing? You need to contact accident and injury lawyers to bring light to all these doubts and concerns.

Only 3% of personal injury claims are settled through a trial verdict. This means that a high percentage of these claims are settled even before the trial. There is also a percentage that these claims are dismissed. Of personal injury defendants, 28% of them do not contest the complaint but 72% of them do. This high percentage of not accepting any responsibility for your injury and losses compels you to hire the best lawyer for personal injury to make sure you have someone on your side to fight for you.

 

What Are The Factors In Winning A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

There are several factors taken into consideration to ensure a high probability of winning a personal injury lawsuit. All these may become an overwhelming experience for you but you will find peace as you hire lawyers for accidents.

Liability
Your lawyer will help you establish that the accident causing injury and losses is the responsibility of someone’s negligence. This can be an individual like a driver who is drunk or a company or government agency that neglects safety protocols causing injury in a worker’s place or public place. Best injury attorney will be able to identify the liabilities of those parties which is critical in winning your claim.

Evidence
In any case, evidence will make or break your chances of winning. Gathering or collecting evidence may be a daunting task for you. However, this is one reason why it is so important to hire a personal injury lawyer.

First, evidence should be established that someone caused or is liable for your injury. Once this is done, then it is time to look, collect and gather evidence for your case such as:

  • Photo evidence:
    Pictures of the accident can help establish the other party’s negligence in causing the accident. For example, photos of vehicles in a car accident, broken support such as handrails, or lack of any precautions or safety advice in an accident-prone area.
  • Video footage:
    You may have your own video footage such as the dashcam of your car which is easily accessible. But there is footage that you may not realize nor have access to. Good news though, the best injury lawyer will be able to look and get hold of other video footage or security camera footage where the accidents occur. This footage will be studied and ensured that it is evidence that proves the liability of the other party for your pain and suffering.
  • Witness testimony:
    You may feel you are on a dead end as you don’t have anyone to serve as a witness that will further establish the liability of the other party. No worries though, as the best lawyers for accidents and injury will be able to find them and encourage them to be a witness for your case. It takes a lot of experience to be able to motivate these witnesses to give time and effort for the sake of the injured party.
  • Past accidents with similar situations or conditions.
    This will take a lot of research and finding one is not the end of it. Your lawyers for accidents will be able to prove and highlight that this evidence is admissible as it establishes negligence and liability. It takes knowledge and experience to be able to do so. And we are not just looking into your case per se, but looking into cases, incidents, or victims in the past proving that this is a prevalent problem causing harm and illness to the trusting person or public.

Evidence Of Your Injuries
Evidence is not limited to establishing the liability of the party. Your claims will be based on the evidence of what injuries you sustained. Proof of documents should be collated to ensure you will have the supporting documents as your lawyer fights for the maximum compensation for you to receive.

  • Medical Records
    This begins with all your medical documents from the injury you incurred from the accident. This will include all medical findings by doctors and details of any complications from care providers such as a physical therapist or even psychologists that will take time, costs, and loss of income opportunities for you. All receipts, medical diagnoses, and x-ray or scan results will all be part of your medical records to present the damages, pain, and suffering caused by the party’s negligence.
  • Medical Bills
    The cost of all medical-related expenses from the initial emergency response to ongoing medical treatment will all be part of the evidence. Your personal injury lawyer will use these as a basis for demanding the best compensation from the insurance companies of the other party. This will determine the reasonable settlement account as your lawyer collects and analyzes all these medical bills.
  • Proof of Loss of Income
    All documents that will prove your loss of income because of the accident should also be submitted. This will show how much time you missed work and other impacts on your performance that may lead to an increase in income.

Insurance Coverage
A high percentage of injury claims go through an insurance company. The amount of claim will be based on the coverage of the liable party. What will even hurt you more is when you find out the limits of the coverage of the responsible party. You will then have difficulty demanding what you deserve. Highlighting again the importance of having the best accident lawyer, as they will look for other avenues to be able to work for your claims and compensation.

Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys On Your Side

The preconceived notion that it will cost one more to hire a lawyer in this incident has been proven wrong. You may end up spending more and ending with a feeling that you deserve more than what you got from the insurance company. That’s why it is imperative for you to hire the best injury lawyer. If you have an accident lawyer on your side, the liable party and even the insurance company will know how serious you are to get what you deserve.

  • Reasonable Compensation
  • Lawyer fighting for you
  • Avoid the Potential Pitfalls

Call us today at 877-557-4221 and let the brothers fight for you!

5 Common Accidents In California

Accidents can and do occur in everyday life. Being a careful driver, wearing reflective clothing while bicycle, or waiting for the green light to cross the street as a pedestrian are all important ways to reduce your accident risk. However, it’s still too easy to endure the effects of a life altering injury.

Anyone who lives in California would probably not be surprised to learn that the most frequent causes of injuries are slip-and-fall accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. The most crucial thing to remember is that you must learn about your rights and take proactive measures to protect yourself and your future if you ever find yourself the victim of such an accident.

Truck Accidents

There are many other reasons why truck accidents might happen, including careless truck drivers, poor vehicle maintenance, and the inability of passenger automobiles to maneuver around larger vehicles. Among the most typical accidents kinds you could experience are listed below:
• Jackknife
• Wide turn collisions
• Truck rollovers
• T-bone accidents
• Tire blowout

If a truck accident has injured you, you must retain the services of a qualified attorney who can assist you in obtaining the money you want to cover your medical expenses, property damage, lost earnings, and emotional distress. Likewise, even if everyone is cooperative and you believe your injuries may be minor, you should consider calling the police and going to the hospital immediately.

Car Accidents

In California, there are hundreds of thousands of car collisions annually. Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by drivers who are careless or reckless. To significantly reduce the danger of collisions, injuries, and fatalities, drivers must comprehend and steer clear of the most prevalent of these behaviors.
• By limiting a driver’s effective reaction time and ability to maintain control of their vehicle, speeding can increase the likelihood of collisions.
• Each year in California, hundreds of car accidents are caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• One other accident-causing factor in California is driver distraction. Numerous still-legal distractions, like eating while driving, might increase the likelihood of a car accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

One of the riskiest modes of transportation is a motorcycle. Tragic accidents are more likely to happen to motorcycle riders. Hundreds of motorcycle accidents in California yearly result in injuries or fatalities. Some of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents in California are the ones listed below:
• Head-On Vehicle Collisions
• Intoxication
• Lane Splitting
• Road Hazards

Speak with motorcycle injury lawyers. Everything will be handled by motorcycle injury lawyers, including gathering proof, speaking with witnesses, communicating with insurance providers, and presenting the case in court.

Train Accident

It is impossible to emphasize railway accidents’ emotional and financial toll on victims and their families. Despite the fatalities and demands for more safety, there will probably be more California train accidents in the coming days. The following list includes some of the most frequent causes:
• Negligent engineering
• Lack of sufficient training
• Equipment malfunction
• Extreme speed
• Inconsistent signals

A train accident lawyer who is well-versed in how California and federal law interact may be necessary for the sufferer. Regardless of your situation, train accident lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and work to get you the money you are due.

Pedestrian Accident

Since pedestrians use the roads, their safety is just as crucial as that of drivers and passengers. However, these mishaps can result in catastrophic injuries or the loss of precious lives. Here are a few of them to keep in mind whenever you set out on foot:
• Intoxicated drivers
• Walking during night-time
• Pedestrians not using the sidewalk
• Drivers making unsafe left turns
• Speeding drivers
• Distracted pedestrians

Get the necessary legal counsel from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid engaging in a pedestrian accident in California. Do not hesitate to contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys if you or a loved one was injured in an accident. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have years of expertise in helping clients obtain the greatest compensation to cover their damages and injuries. Our injury attorneys will ensure that you receive the correct medical care for your injuries, provide outstanding legal counsel, and secure just compensation.

Let our award-winning attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys help you. Call us at 877-557-4221 today!