Fresno Bicycle Community Honors Edward Lund
ABC30 reported on the Hammer Road Rally, a bicycle ride in honor of the late Edward Lund. Edward Lund was the Fresno State arts curator before his death last year. He was known in the bicycling community as “The Hammer.” Lund died while on a bicycle ride in Sonoma County. The Hammer Road Rally raised funds for the Lund Foundation which provides scholarships for art students. The former U.S. champion and Olympic medalist Levi Leipheimer was one of the participants.
Bicycle Accidents Result In Serious Injuries And Fatalities
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 726 pedalcyclists died, and 50,000 pedalcyclists were injured in traffic-related accidents during 2014. A cyclist has virtually no chance against a vehicle in a traffic accident. A bicycle does not offer any protection for the rider in a traffic accident. The rider takes the full impact of a collision. Even though the driver of a vehicle may be injured in a crash, the driver is afforded some protection against bodily injury because of the vehicle. A bicycle has no protection in a crash.
Therefore, bicyclists often suffer traumatic injuries that result in permanent disabilities in a bicycle accident. For example, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones are common injuries in bicycle accidents. Any of these injuries can result in permanent paralysis or other disabilities that prevent the injury victim from returning to work. Because of the severity of the injuries sustained in a bicycle accident, insurance claims are typically substantial.
Damages In A Bicycle Accident Claim
The compensation paid in a bicycle accident claim depends on the types of damages incurred by the victim. The more severe the injury, the longer the recovery period, and the existence of a permanent disability increase the amount of damages in a case. Common damages an accident victim may receive compensation for include:
- Medical expenses, including medications, surgeries, medical supplies, equipment, physical therapy, and future medical costs
- Lost income, including future lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage (i.e. your bicycle and your other equipment)
- Physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term personal care or medical treatment
The financial damages (i.e. lost wages, medical bills, property damage, etc.) are easier to calculate because you have documentation substantiating those damages, such as invoices, bills, and pay statements. However, non-economic damages, referred to as pain and suffering, are much more difficult to calculate.
The California personal injury laws do not contain a formula for calculating pain and suffering. You must use other evidence to demonstrate the level of pain and suffering endured because of the bicycle accident. An experienced Fresno bicycle accident attorney understands how to use the available evidence to argue for maximum compensation for your pain and suffering damages. It is important you hire an attorney with extensive experience handling personal injury cases to represent you as you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Call A Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorney For More Information
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Fresno, CA or the surrounding Central California Valley area, we can help. Call Torem & Associates at (888) 500-5000 to schedule a free legal consultation with a Fresno bicycle accident attorney. You may also chat with a representative online or use our convenient online contact form to ask a question or schedule a free case evaluation.
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