Our firm represented a 29-year-old amateur cyclist whose front tire became wedged in the broken grates of a storm drain cover, causing him to be thrown over the handlebars and fracture his neck. At the time of the accident, he was traveling at approximately 10 mph.
The case was brought against Alameda County for failing to maintain public property in a safe condition, as required under the California Government Code. Walkup bicycle injury attorneys uncovered prior complaints from other citizens about the hazard, demonstrating that the county had been on notice. The case resolved with a $9.5 million settlement, including lump sum and future annuity payments to cover the ongoing cost of attendant care throughout the client’s life.
