If you are riding your bicycle in Galt or any other part of California, you are at a much greater risk of getting hit by a vehicle than in any other state. That is right – California is one of the deadliest states for bicyclists. 

If you or a family member was hit by a car, pickup truck, SUV, etc., you should take critical steps to protect your legal rights and strengthen a potential personal injury claim. Of course, the advice described here is only relevant if you can physically act. Obviously, if your injuries are so severe that you need to be taken to a hospital by ambulance, do so. Once you have received medical treatment, you can still collect some crucial evidence.

If you are physically able, provide a police officer your version of what happened so it is documented in the police report. Sometimes, a motorist will provide their own version of what occurred, which may contradict what happened. This is why the police report needs to reflect the events leading up to the collision from both sides.

If possible, try to obtain the full name and phone number of the driver who hit you. In addition, try to get their driver’s license number, license plate number, and auto insurance information. In addition, try to obtain the contact information of any witnesses who saw the collision. You should also try to take photos of the accident scene and any visible injuries you suffered.

You should also document your medical treatment and keep copies of invoices from the hospital, ambulance, and other medical specialists. Finally, take the time to schedule a Galt bicycle accident lawyer meeting to discuss your legal options.

When you hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer, they will immediately get to work reviewing your medical bills, lost wages, and the facts surrounding the collision. Once you have completed your medical treatment, the attorney will send a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This demand letter will include a summary of your harms and losses. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your claim, and they will negotiate with your attorney. In most claims, your attorney will seek financial recovery for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered. In regards to economic damages, these include your medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages include emotional stress, mental anguish, and inconvenience caused by the accident.

A college soccer player was riding a bicycle in Orange County when hit by an SUV and suffered catastrophic injuries, including two herniated disks in the lumbar and cervical regions. The injuries he suffered were so severe that he would not be able to continue playing soccer. A jury recognized the severity of the harm and awarded the soccer player $557,000 in compensatory damages.

In California, an injured bicyclist has only two years from the accident date to file a bicycle accident injury lawsuit in state court. If you delay and try to file the lawsuit after two years have lapsed, you probably will not be able to recover monetary compensation for your harm and losses. Immediate action is also necessary because the statute of limitations may be shorter than two years. For example, if you were hit by a state or city vehicle, you must notify your intent to file an injury claim within six months of the collision date. 

Areas that see a high frequency of accidents in Galt include:

• A Street and 6th Street
• C Street and Civic Drive
• C Street and Pine Street
• D Street at Lincoln Way 
• Elm Avenue at Lincoln Way 
• Elm Avenue at Sunset Drive 
• F Street and 4th Street
• Fermoy Way and Twin Cities Road 
• Stockton Boulevard and Twin Cities Road

Although this is not an exhaustive list, it highlights accident-prone locations in Galt.

If you or someone you hold dear has suffered a severe injury or were fatally injured, please call our injury lawyers for compassionate, free, and friendly advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.

See our past verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.3.23] Photo by Depositphotos.com sb bw [cs 928]}