Do I Need a Lawyer If I'm Not Receiving Enough Insurance Money After a San Francisco Bicycle Accident?

Bicycle accidents in San Francisco vary widely, both in their nature and the resulting injuries. Nevertheless, these accidents often lead to severe financial and medical consequences.

According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System (SWIRTS), there were 375 bicycle accidents in San Francisco that resulted in injuries or fatalities in 2022.

Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid injury in a bicycle accident. However, it’s crucial to understand that if you do sustain injuries in such an event, you still possess specific legal rights and available options, but you’ll probably need to negotiate with an insurance company.

Seek Assistance from Our San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyers

If you have experienced an injury in a bicycle accident, you are familiar with the pain and challenges that come with the recovery process. At The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan, we are dedicated to helping you concentrate on your recovery. Our team of San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers has extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and assisting our clients in obtaining the financial support they need. To get started, please contact us today for a free consultation.

What Types of Injuries Result From Bicycle Accidents in San Francisco?

Regardless of the specific type of bicycle accident you’re involved in, the likelihood of sustaining injuries is unfortunately quite high. As the above SWITRS data shows, bicycle accidents in San Francisco are inherently unpredictable, and how your body responds to various forces and accident scenarios can result in single or multiple injuries, such as:

Whiplash
Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Lacerations
Fractures and broken bones
Bruises
Facial injuries
Muscle strains
Ligament damage
Injuries to limbs
Loss of limbs
Paralysis
Internal bleeding
Back strains
Emotional trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Obviously, the prevalence of bicycle accidents in San Francisco can be chalked up to many factors, from the number of bicyclists on the road to the location where you happen to be riding. Crowded areas in the Mission District or downtown see more of these accidents, but you can still take steps to reduce the likelihood that you’ll experience one by:

Always follow traffic laws
Wear protective gear, including a helmet
Make yourself visible to drivers
Always use a bike lane, or if you can’t, ride on the right side of the road

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in a San Francisco Bicycle Accident?

Like any accident, a bicycle accident in San Francisco is going to require you to take some important actions in the aftermath. In fact, many of these actions are absolutely crucial to your health, safety, and the protection of your legal rights. Not only that, but It’s equally as important to refrain from doing certain things, as insurance companies often exploit minor details to minimize the support you’re entitled to.

First and foremost, prioritize your safety. If possible, move to a safe location, such as the side of the road or away from the bike path. Afterward, follow these steps:

Seek medical attention – Ensure you receive necessary medical care.
Report the accident – Notify the relevant authorities about the accident.
Exchange information – Gather contact information from all involved parties.
Document the scene – Take photos, videos, or any other evidence of the accident.
Visit your doctor – Seek additional treatment in the days following the accident.

Likewise, you should refrain from doing the following after a bicycle accident:

Try to keep from making statements that could be used against you.
Preserve any evidence related to the accident.
Keep damaged items as evidence, and don’t repair anything.
Don’t refuse medical treatment.
Refrain from speaking with insurance representatives.

Because the aftermath of a bicycle accident is so important, you’ll want to take every measure necessary to protect yourself and your options. While hiring a lawyer isn’t required in California, it can certainly help your situation–especially when you need to make sure you’re getting enough insurance money.

How Can a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyer Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Insurance Money?

One of the most difficult aspects of a San Francisco bicycle accident, aside from physical injuries, is dealing with an insurance company. Most likely, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be handling any claim for your damages. As such, you will have to present your case to them.

With their vast resources, insurance companies have the leverage to make the process difficult for you, and eleven if their insured is responsible, the company will use tactics to pay you as little as possible. This is where our team can help make sure you’re being treated fairly by:

Thoroughly investigating the accident – Our lawyers will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police reports to establish liability and fault.
Assessing your damages – Our team will assess the full extent of your damages. This involves evaluating medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses to determine the appropriate compensation amount.|
Negotiating with insurance representatives – Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Our lawyers will negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation. They will use their knowledge of personal injury law and experience with insurance claims to advocate for your rights.
Filing a lawsuit – If negotiations with the insurance company do not result in a fair settlement offer, our lawyers can file a lawsuit on your behalf. This legal action can put additional pressure on the insurance company to provide a reasonable settlement.
Presenting evidence – During legal proceedings, our lawyers will present evidence, including medical records, accident reports, witness testimony, and expert opinions, to support your case and demonstrate the extent of your injuries and losses.
Standing up for your interests – Throughout the legal process, our primary goal is to protect your best interests. They will advise you on settlement offers and help you make informed decisions about whether to accept or pursue a trial.
Representing you in court – If your case goes to court, we’ll represent you in front of a judge and jury. We’ll present a compelling argument and use our legal expertise to fight for the maximum settlement you deserve.

In short, our San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers play a vital role in ensuring you get the right insurance payout. They investigate, evaluate your losses, negotiate with insurers, and, if needed, take legal action to safeguard your rights and secure a fair settlement. While every case is different, we believe our experience and approach can help you or any other client in San Francisco.

How Are Damages Calculated By an Insurance Company in a San Francisco Bicycle Accident?

A bicycle accident, regardless of where or how it happens in San Francisco, is probably going to result in injuries and damages of some kind. The extent of these damages can vary from case to case and depends on how the accident has affected you. Ultimately, these damages are calculated by assessing the following:

Lost wages or future income – This covers the income you couldn’t earn due to the accident. If the accident impacts your ability to work in the future, you may receive compensation for the earnings you would have made.
Medical expenses – This includes the costs of your medical treatment and care.
Rehabilitation and physical therapy – It covers expenses related to therapy and rehabilitation to aid your recovery.
Pain and suffering – This covers any cost for the physical and emotional pain you endured.
Loss of quality of life – If the accident significantly reduces your quality of life, this is taken into account when assessing your overall damages.
Costs related to permanent injury – If the accident results in permanent changes to your appearance or abilities, this covers any costs relating to this.
Loss of companionship – This pertains to the emotional and personal impact of a significant relationship being affected or ending due to an accident, like a bus accident. It encompasses the loss of companionship, love, support, and the ability to spend time together with a loved one.

More than anything, recovering from a bicycle accident in San Francisco can be a challenging journey. That’s why we take great pride in our ability to assist you not only with the claims process but also in overcoming the various obstacles that may affect your health and stability.

Contact Our San Francisco Bicycle Accident Team Today

Bicycle accidents can be unfortunate, and cycling in a beautiful city like San Francisco should be a joyful experience. Yet, there are inherent risks, often beyond your control.

If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact our team of San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers at MJQ Law. We’re here to handle your claim and offer crucial emotional and legal assistance to help you recover fully. Contact us here for a free consultation.