OUR VALUES

At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we care deeply about helping cyclists get their life back on track after a crash.

I. We will always do what is in the client’s best interest

As attorneys, it is our duty to do what is in your best interest. Accordingly, we will never recommend a course of action that serves us to your detriment. Likewise, we will always give you our honest advice on how to best resolve your claim, factoring in the particularities of your situation. ]

II. We respond to client phone calls or emails within 48 week-day hours

Accidents are very stressful – physically, financially, and emotionally. While an attorney should make the whole ordeal easier, many do not return phone calls or respond to emails in a timely manner. This only creates more stress and leads clients to wonder, is my attorney working on my case? Where are we at now? What is the insurance company’s position? To alleviate this stress, we respond to all emails within 48 week-day hours.

III. We are honest with our clients

At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we will be straight-forward with you from day one. For example, many prospective clients will ask during an intake about the value of their case. While we could provide an estimate, the truth is that each individual case is affected by a multitude of factors, each of which influence its value, and which we will not understand until we’ve already been working on your case for some time. Any attorney that tells you otherwise is misleading you – likely for the purpose of getting your business, at the expense of being honest with you.

IV. We sympathize with our clients

Most of us go about our daily lives without appreciating how vulnerable we truly are. An accident teaches you that your entire life can change in the blink of an eye. For many, the most painful aspect of their accident is not the pain itself, but the lengthy recovery process, missing work, financial stress, or simply not knowing whether they will fully recover. Although it is impossible to know exactly what you are going through, we are always there to lend a sympathetic ear.

V. We include our clients in the decision making process

We always keep your goals in mind when negotiating a settlement. Some clients are under extreme financial stress as a result of their accident and need to wrap things up quickly, while others are negotiating slowly in order to guarantee the maximum settlement value. Likewise, some clients do not want to litigate under any circumstances, while others are fine taking their case to trial. While we will give you our professional recommendations, explaining the pro’s and con’s of each option, you make the big decisions.

VI. We work to maximize your take-home settlement

Beyond seeking the maximum settlement possible for your situation, we continue working for you afterwards to minimize your liabilities. By negotiating with your health insurance and other medical providers, we guarantee that you take home as much of your settlement as possible.

VII. We are lifelong learners to make sure that the firm is up-to-date on the latest developments affecting your case

Many attorneys after a period of time practicing begin thinking they know or have seen it all. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we are constantly taking continuing education courses and reading up on the latest developments in bicycle law, tort law, traumatic brain injury science, and litigation techniques. By constantly pushing ourselves, we keep a leg up over the defense firms.

VIII. We keep our caseloads manageable

Many personal injury firms make money through margins, taking on more clients than they can handle, with attorneys caseloads of 100+ clients or more. To manage such a large undertaking, cases are assigned to paralegals with little attorney oversight, or corners are cut. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we believe that by assigning manageable caseloads, our firm can maintain its reputation for quality while still operating profitably. Your attorney will know your name and the details of your case, and will be able to answer your questions and appropriately guide you on strategy. We have fantastic paralegals that will be on your team as well – but always appropriately led by the attorney on your case.

IX. We promote and support bicyclist legislation, organizations, and local bike coalitions

We are happy to see more and more cyclists on the streets every year; the more of us there are on the roads, the more drivers will be looking out for us, and the more they will be mindful of our safety. Riding a bicycle not only helps alleviate traffic, but is good for the environment and your health. Cyclists are very vulnerable on the road, and to try to make cycling safer, we actively support local bike coalitions, sponsor pro-bike political organizations, and reach out to cyclists about the law and bike safety at local bike events.