Yes. Careless motorists aren’t let off the hook just because the cyclist they hit wasn’t wearing a bicycle helmet. California doesn’t require that adult riders wear helmets. Injured riders can seek support for medical bills, their lost income, and other damages from car insurance companies.
Bicycle Helmet Laws in California and Accident Liability
California does not require riders aged 18 and older to wear bicycle helmets. If a careless driver struck a cyclist, the use of a helmet would not get the motorist off the hook for the collision.
The driver’s auto insurance provider would still be liable for some or all of the victim’s medical bills. Even if a rider is found partially at fault for an accident, victims can still often earn compensation for at least part of their recovery costs.
In some cases, an unfair car insurance company may try to argue that the injuries wouldn’t have been so serious if a helmet had been used. But in a state where a helmet isn’t required for most riders, this is a weak defense. The accident occurred because a driver wasn’t paying attention to the road or was acting recklessly. Not because of anything the rider did.
A strong attorney would collect evidence (evidence from the accident and medical documentation from doctors) to reduce the amount of blame riders were assigned. And in all cases, a skilled Bakersfield Bicycle Accident Attorney would fight to get the rider’s level of blame down to zero, leaving the insurance company fully accountable.
Can My Child Earn Support If They Weren’t Wearing a Helmet in a Bakersfield Bike Accident?
Yes. Children are supposed to wear helmets when they ride. Teens, too, up until the age of 18. But that doesn’t excuse the actions of a careless driver who strikes a young bicyclist.
Parents or guardians may be cited for not providing a helmet for a child while riding, but that wouldn’t usually affect the fault and financial responsibility of the driver. Parents should receive the support to pay for the best care available for their child victims.
A skilled bicycle attorney is a good protection for young victims. It’s a good idea to make sure the driver can’t escape justice. It’s also a protection for the child’s future.
Children are at greater risk of more serious injuries. Their muscle tissue isn’t as strong, and their bones break more easily. Smaller children are also closer to the ground and nearer to a car’s wheels when they are struck.
A major injury can affect them during their teen years as they start to mature into adulthood. A broken bone that was thought to have healed can flare up years later, and additional surgery may be required. Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield would make sure any injury settlement included money for any future complications that might affect a young victim’s development.
Seeking Support from Careless Drivers After a Bakersfield Bicycle Accident
Bicyclists in Bakersfield are always at risk when they must be in close proximity to the rush of local traffic. A careless driver on a busy street like Truxtun Avenue can try to pass a cyclist sharing the lane, with too little room, and cause a devastating impact.
Cyclists can be at risk even on streets like the Stockdale Highway that feature a reserved bike lane for riders. Motorists can still veer into a lane without checking a mirror to strike someone, or when they recklessly change lanes to make a right turn. Of course, child and adult riders on a trip around their own neighborhoods can also be put in danger by a distracted driver.
Drivers are responsible for striking vulnerable riders. Their car insurance companies should offer everything necessary to help the victim reach a full recovery. Our attorneys get aggressive on behalf of our clients. We make sure riders have what they need to rebuild their lives and get back on their bikes again.
Do I Need a Bike Accident Lawyer After an Accident?
If your collision was caused by a reckless driver and you suffered serious injuries, it’s a good idea to go over your case with a skilled attorney. An experienced attorney may be able to secure much more for your recovery. This is often much more than you could win by taking on a car insurance company yourself.
Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a real Bakersfield lawyer. There’s no obligation to talk to our lawyers. And if you need our help to earn more, there are no upfront costs to worry about. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee is paid out of the settlement that a car insurance company must provide.