A bicyclist will receive a settlement of more than $4 million from the city after suffering a serious injury on a San Diego sidewalk. The man suffered severe injuries to his head and spine due to a fall caused by uneven sidewalk pavement in Del Cerro. The San Diego city council voted to settle a pending lawsuit and the matter was recently signed off on.

San Diego Area Sidewalks in Disrepair
According to San Diego city councilmen, many of the area sidewalks are in need of repair. The repairs, while expensive, should be done to avoid accidents and injuries such as the one that occurred in this instance. There are more than 5,000 miles of sidewalks in San Diego. The city is responsible for the repairs due to vehicle accidents, water main breaks, and tree damage. The city offers a cost-sharing program that splits the costs for other repairs or replacement with property owners. An assessment completed in 2015 found more than 85,000 sidewalk locations that have damage.

Bicycle Accidents May Result in Severe Injuries
Bike accidents often cause serious injuries to riders. Even those who wear helmets and other protective gear may be hurt. In this case, the man suffered permanent spinal injuries and head trauma as a result of the accident. His injuries require ongoing medical care, which will likely need to continue for the rest of his life. The accident was due to uneven sidewalk pavement, which was deemed to be the responsibility of the city.

Head and Spinal Injuries
Head and spinal trauma are among the most common types of serious injuries that occur due to bicycle accidents. Falling from a bicycle can cause the rider to land very hard on a concrete road or sidewalk. While wearing a helmet may provide some protection, it does not always save the rider from suffering very serious head trauma. Spinal injuries may also be severe, as in this case. Spinal cord injuries may cause full or partial paralysis leading to paraplegia. The road to recovery for spinal cord patients is a long and difficult one, and many people will be disabled for life.

Liability and Negligence in Accident Cases
When an accident occurs, it may be caused by the negligence of another. The victim may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party. An experienced personal injury attorney will provide assistance throughout the process by gathering the necessary evidence and documentation to prove who was at fault. In this case, the victim apparently provided enough evidence to show that the city of San Diego was to blame for the accident. The city likely did not properly maintain or repair the area of sidewalk, which caused the bike rider to fall.

As in this situation, many personal injury cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement before they get to court. Victims and their families may be owed money for medical bills, rehabilitation and care costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life, among other things.

If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in an accident, contact the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to schedule a free consultation.

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