Mill Valley Bicycle Accident Attorney

A car ran a red light in Mill Valley and hit you on your bicycle. You slammed into the ground and broke several bones. You are in unbearable pain and overwhelmed. Call the Zinn Law Firm in Mill Valley when a serious bike accident happens. You should receive compensation for your serious bike crash injuries and related damages.

Our bicycle accident attorneys in Mill Valley at Zinn Law Firm can be reached at (415) 292-4100. We will review your personal injury case for free and determine your legal options. You can receive maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more.

Why Choose Us? 

Zinn Law Firm is an accomplished personal injury law firm serving Mill Valley and the greater San Francisco community. Zinn Law Firm has the area’s best bicycle accident attorneys rated by Super Lawyers. Also, Attorney Carter Zinn maintains an outstanding 9.4 Avvo rating, showing his skill in personal injury claims and lawsuits.

Some of our recent personal injury claim and lawsuit successes include:

• $3.5 million settlement for bike accident caused by defective roadway 
• $2.5 million settlement for bike accident involving A.C. transit bus
• Confidential settlement for bike accident involving paralysis 
• $950,000 settlement for bike accident in head-on collision

Our highly-rated personal injury attorneys will communicate with you regularly, understand what your case is worth, and demand full compensation from the insurance company. All you need to do is rest, recover, and let our highly accomplished bicycle accident attorneys handle your claim.

Our personal injury offices are conveniently located at 591 Redwood Highway #4000 in Mill Valley, CA. Our attorneys’ office is on Silva Island next to Highway 101 and near Ferrari of San Francisco. Also nearby are UCSF Medical Center and Acqua Hotel Mill Valley. Call our offices for a complimentary consultation at (415) 292-4100.

Bike Claim Compensation 

The compensation you might receive from a bike accident lawsuit depends on the specifics of your case, including the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the laws in your location. Generally, compensation in such lawsuits falls into several categories.

Medical Bills 

First, you can recover medical expenses. This includes costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment related to the accident. Those costs can also be included if your injuries require future care, like rehabilitation or additional surgeries.

Lost Earnings 

Second, there are lost earnings. If the accident kept you from working for a few days, weeks, or longer, you might be compensated for your lost income. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you can also claim compensation for diminished earning capacity.

Property Damage 

Third, property damage is another factor. If your bike or other personal items (like a helmet or clothing) were damaged or destroyed, you can seek money to repair or replace them.

Pain And Suffering 

Then there’s pain and suffering. This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. It’s less straightforward to calculate than medical bills or lost earnings. Still, it can make up a significant part of your compensation, especially if your injuries are severe or life-altering.

In some cases, you might be eligible for punitive damages if the other party’s actions were reckless, like driving under the influence or intentionally causing harm. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior, though they’re not awarded in every case and depend on local laws.

The actual amount you can get varies widely. Minor injuries with quick recoveries might settle for less than $10,000, but severe injury claims can lead to much higher settlements. For example, a paralysis injury in a bike crash caused by a drunk driver can lead to a seven-figure settlement.

To understand your bike accident case value, the details of the accident are key: who was at fault, how bad your injuries are, and what evidence you have, including medical records, police reports, or witness statements. Consulting our Mill Valley bike accident lawyer in a free consultation will give you a better idea of your claim value.

Where Bike Accidents Happen In Mill Valley Community 

Many in the Mill Valley area enjoy riding their bicycles for pleasure and getting to work. But this is a busy, traffic-heavy area, and bicycle accidents are frequent. Some of the most dangerous intersections for cyclists include:

• East Blithedale and Ashford Ave
• Miller Ave and Camino Alto
• Shoreline Hwy and Tennessee Ave
• Alexander Ave. and Bunker Rd. 
• Pan Toll Rd and Panoramic Hwy
• Luca Valley Rd. and Nicasio Valley Rd. 
• Baywood Canyon Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Rd.

Serious cycling accidents can happen in any part of Mill Valley, so always carry your cell phone and call the police and first responders if you are hit. Contact one of our experienced Mill Valley bicycle accident attorneys if you suffered an injury in an accident because of a negligent driver. Our attorneys will quickly determine if the other party was at fault and what your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering are worth.

Types Of Bike Crashes In Mill Valley

There are several types of bike accidents in the Mill Valley community:

• Left-turn accidents: A driver may not see you on your bicycle and turn in front of you. 
• Sideswipe accidents: A car can pass too close to you and sideswipe you, causing you to lose control and crash. 
• Rear-end accidents: Imagine sitting at a stop sign and a car fails to stop and hits you. Many drivers don’t see bikers but are still liable for the accident. 

Types Of Bike Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, cycling accidents can cause devastating or fatal injuries. There is nothing to protect a biker from the trauma of the crash, and injuries can be caused by hitting the vehicle, the ground, or both. Common bicycle accident injuries are:

• Head injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries, especially if no helmet is worn or the impact is severe.
• Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, collarbone, or ribs from the force of the collision or hitting the ground.
• Road rash: Skin abrasions from sliding across pavement, which can range from mild to severe with risk of infection.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, or tears in muscles, ligaments, or tendons, often in the knees, shoulders, or back.
• Spinal injuries: Damage to the spine or neck, potentially leading to long-term mobility issues or paralysis in extreme cases.
• Internal injuries: Bruising or bleeding of organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs due to blunt trauma.
• Facial injuries: Cuts, bruises, or fractures to the jaw, nose, or teeth from impact with the car or ground.
• Dislocations: Joints like shoulders or hips being forced out of alignment.

The severity of your bike crash injuries depends on the vehicle’s speed, direction, and the size and health condition of the cyclist. Our bicycle accident attorney will work with your doctors to understand your injury’s severity and prognosis. Then, we will negotiate the best settlement for your injuries and damages.

Fighting The Insurance Company 

Fighting an insurance company after a bike accident in Mill Valley can be a frustrating and uphill battle. There are several common problems with insurance companies, but don’t worry: Our Mill Valley bicycle accident attorney can easily handle all of these.

First off, insurance companies often try to lowball you. They might offer a quick settlement that seems tempting when you’re stressed and hurting, but it’s usually far less than needed for medical bills, bike repairs, or lost earnings. San Francisco’s a pricey place, and cycling injuries can rack up costs fast—think emergency room visits, physical therapy, or even long-term care if you’re seriously hurt. They’re banking on you not knowing what your claim’s worth.

Deny Liability 

Then, the insurance company may deny liability. Let’s face it: Insurers love pointing the finger at cyclists, claiming you were riding recklessly, didn’t signal, or weren’t in the right lane, even if the driver was clearly at fault. Mill Valley’s busy streets, with their mix of cars, bikes, and pedestrians, make it easy for them to spin a story. If the police report is sloppy or biased, it fuels their argument.

Insurance Delays

Another headache is insurance delays. Insurance adjusters can drag their feet, asking for more paperwork, questioning your injuries, or not responding. Time’s on their side; the longer they stall, the more likely you are to cave or miss deadlines. In California, you’ve got two years to file a personal injury claim, so time is short.

Collecting Evidence 

Evidence collection can also be a fight. You might have photos of the scene or witness contacts, but insurers can nitpick. Let’s say your pictures don’t prove enough, or your witnesses aren’t reliable. And if it’s a hit-and-run or an uninsured driver, you’re stuck battling your insurance for uninsured motorist coverage, which can be its own mess if your policy has minimal coverage.

Downplaying Your Injuries

Finally, the insurance company may downplay your injuries. Even if you’re in pain or can’t work, they might argue it’s not that bad or not related to the accident. San Francisco’s got top-notch medical care, but getting insurers to cover it, like specialist visits or rehab, can feel like pulling teeth.

All of these insurance fights can leave you exhausted. The last thing you should do is to combat the insurance company when you suffer an injury and need money. Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing bike accident injury victims. You can expect the insurance company to call you soon after the accident. Their goal isn’t to help: They want to settle your case before you talk to a bicycle accident attorney. It’s a common ploy, but don’t fall for it!

You should contact a Zinn Law Firm bicycle accident lawyer when the insurance company calls. We will deal with the insurance company so you can rest and recover.

Our attorney will never accept a minuscule settlement offer. We will ensure you get ample compensation for the best injury recovery. Remember, we are paid a portion of whatever money you receive in your claim. Thus, we are always highly motivated to maximize your personal injury settlement.

What To Do After A Bike Accident In Mill Valley 

A Mill Valley bicycle accident can leave you stressed, confused, and overwhelmed. After you have gotten medical attention from a medical facility such as MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae and called the police, there are several things that you can do to increase the chances of the best bike accident settlement.

You should have medical treatment on the same day to ensure your health and preserve your legal options. Some injuries, like concussions or internal damage, don’t show up right away. Go to an emergency room or urgent care and keep records of everything, such as doctor visits, diagnoses, and treatments. It links your injuries to the crash, which matters for insurance or legal purposes. Ensure that you follow up with your doctor and follow the treatment plan. The insurance company will ask questions if you don’t.

Don’t touch your bike or gear yet; leave it as is. The damage can show how bad the crash was, so store it without repairs until you’ve documented it or had it checked by a professional. The same goes for your clothes or helmet; keep them unwashed.

After that, contact a Zinn Law Firm lawyer who handles bike accidents. In California, you’ve got two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit, but if it involves a government entity, like a city road defect, you need to file a claim within six months.

Our bike accident lawyer can help determine if you’re owed compensation for medical bills, bike repairs, lost earnings, or pain and suffering, especially if a driver or road condition caused the crash.

Lastly, take care of yourself. Rest, follow medical advice, and don’t rush back on the bike until you’re healed and feeling 100 percent.

Speak To A Mill Valley Bicycle Crash Attorney Now 

A Mill Valley bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries, medical bills, and an inability to work. You should immediately contact an experienced Mill Valley bicycle accident attorney to fight for the most compensation for your losses. 
You can speak to a Zinn Law Firm personal injury attorney at (415) 292-4100. Our attorneys will review your case immediately and outline your legal options. Our personal injury attorneys are paid by contingency agreement, so you don’t face out-of-pocket legal expenses.