California roadways are notorious for being hazardous to the cyclists that use them. A fast-moving vehicle has airbags, seatbelts, and hundreds of pounds of its carriage to protect them in the event of a car accident. When a car strikes a cyclist on the road, the biker has very little to protect them outside of their helmet and clothes.
Potholes, negligent drivers, and busy roadways have become a deathtrap to those who take a bicycle on the road. In 2018, one biker suffered considerable bodily harm that resulted in Encinitas offering an $11 million settlement.
The nature of the incident
On an early December morning, a cyclist used a shared bicycle lane on her morning commute on North Coast Highway 101. During her ride, a truck struck the cyclist from behind. Even though the cyclist was wearing protective gear, she still suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, damaged cognition and mobility, and many other injuries.
While the truck driver was initially responsible for the injuries from the accident, the cyclist’s attorney had a different opinion on the matter. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that the condition of the roadway was in such a poor state that it ultimately caused the events that lead up to the accident.
The personal injury attorney was successful in holding enough liability to the city so that the city of Encinitas opted to offer a multimillion-dollar settlement to the victim of the accident.
You can hold responsible parties accountable
If you suffered a personal injury on your bicycle similar to this incident, you do not have to settle for less in the compensation you receive for your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help secure the best possible outcome in your compensation claim and provide you with the funds you need to cover your accident costs.