Bicycle crashes are common in Southern California, and they often leave injured victims suffering from severe bodily injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and head injuries that require costly medical treatment and ongoing medical support.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle, it’s time to partner with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles. At BANA LAW, we’ve recovered over $300 million for past injured clients and want to hear from you.
Riding your bicycle should not be dangerous. Whether you use a bike lane to commute to work, ride bikes for exercise, or simply cycle for pleasure, you should not have to worry about unsafe drivers putting you in harm’s way. If you do get hurt, our Los Angeles injury lawyers can help.
California Laws for Bike Accidents
Most cars have advanced safety features and are tested extensively for crash safety. In contrast, bicycles provide no real protection, leaving cyclists vulnerable to injuries and property damage.
When a car collides with a cyclist, the bicyclist almost always sustains more serious injuries and higher medical bills. Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware of their obligations under traffic laws and traffic regulations.
In 2014, California enacted a law requiring drivers to give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle. Even if you follow cycling safety rules and traffic signals, you may still end up in a bicycle crash through no fault of your own.
California’s Helmet Law
California also enforces a helmet law for riders under 18. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21212(a), no one under 18 may ride without a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
Although adults are not legally required to wear helmets, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration emphasizes that helmet use is the single most effective way to prevent traumatic brain injuries in a cycling accident.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Los Angeles, CA
At BANA LAW, we have experience handling a wide variety of accident types in Los Angeles. Some of the most frequent causes of cycling accident claims involving motor vehicles include:
Dooring Accidents
Dooring accidents occur when an occupant of a vehicle quickly opens their door, unaware that a bicyclist is approaching. These accidents usually happen so fast that the bicyclist does not have time to react and hits the door at full speed.
While the damage to the vehicle may be minimal, injuries to the cyclist can be severe. In this case, it’s vital to partner with a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles immediately.
Sideswiping
Sideswiping occurs when a motor vehicle driver is not observant and does not see a bicyclist in a neighboring lane. The motor vehicle driver then switches lanes, and the side of their vehicle collides with the bicyclist.
The injuries in these types of accidents can be catastrophic. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your losses. Contact BANA LAW now to get a free consultation and to discuss your options for filing a claim.
Rear-End Accident
A bicycle legally stopped at a red traffic signal or stop sign always runs the risk of being rear-ended by a motor vehicle. These types of accidents usually cause the bike rider to be thrown off the bicycle and violently collide with the pavement.
All bicycles should have a rear flashing LED taillight installed to reduce the risk of being hit by a car, but sometimes the accident is unavoidable for the bicyclist.
Bicyclist Inattention
The use of hands-free technology is steadily increasing for all types of people, and bicyclists are no exception. It is becoming common to see a bicycle rider wearing headphones or using a cell phone.
Distractions such as these take the rider’s attention away from their immediate surroundings and can lead to serious accidents.
Driver Inattention
Unlike a bicycle rider, a motor vehicle driver has significant protection in case of a collision. Even so, automobile drivers should always be vigilant when paying attention to their surroundings. Failure to do so can result in collisions with bicyclists.
Blind Spots
All motor vehicles have blind spots, or areas where the driver is unable to see. To avoid being in one of these spots, a bicyclist should try to always be in the driver’s direct line of sight. One way of doing this is to avoid stopping to the right of a motor vehicle.
Instead, it is much safer to stop behind a motor vehicle where the driver has a clear line of sight via their rearview mirror.
Lack of Lighting
A motor vehicle driver cannot avoid hitting a bicyclist if they do not see them. Because of this, cyclists should ride during daylight hours whenever possible and avoid riding at night unless they are wearing reflective clothing.
Failure to Yield
Drivers should always be on the lookout for others and yield the right of way to bicyclists whenever possible to avoid a crash. Motor vehicle drivers should also always come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs to avoid a collision with a cyclist.
Reckless Driving
A reckless driver weaving in and out of traffic is much less likely to see a bicyclist and is less likely to stay in their lane. A driver who is speeding is also a danger to anyone on a bicycle. The faster a motor vehicle travels, the less time a driver has to stop should they need to.
Finally, a reckless driver who fails to look thoroughly at a crosswalk for bicyclists and pedestrians is more likely to be involved in an accident.
"Even now, after our case is over, Ryan is still there for us whenever we need him. They're good people."
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Additional Claims Your Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Handle
Collisions with motor vehicles are not the only way a bicyclist can be in an accident. Unfortunately, accidents can happen in a variety of ways, and many factors could lead to you getting into a crash and sustaining injury.
Here are some other incidents BANA LAW may be able to represent:
- While riding on a poorly maintained road with road hazards, a bicyclist may hit a pothole, which causes them to fall and sustain injuries.
- Sometimes a bicycle has been poorly designed or manufactured, causing the bike to be defective. This can lead to a bicyclist becoming injured through no fault of their own.
- Bicyclists may collide with other bicyclists or pedestrians.
- Bicyclists can also be attacked by wild animals or pets not properly kept by their owners. When a dog or other pet attacks a bicyclist, the cyclist may have a cause of action against the animal’s owner. This issue can be addressed by a skilled bicycle accident attorney.
"I felt very protected, especially the way Ryan answered any question I had. I was very happy with the results of my case."
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Why Do You Need a Los Angeles Bicycle Injury Lawyer?
You may be able to successfully sue the driver of the vehicle for negligence and obtain compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
If you have been involved in a bike accident, you should contact an experienced bicycle injury attorney who is well-versed in California bicycle accident litigation and can give you advice on your legal rights and possibilities.
A bicycle accident attorney will discuss topics with you such as liability, compensation, and traffic laws. Your lawyer will also look at:
- The extent of your injuries and the effect that your injuries have on your ability to work
- Which parties are at fault for the accident
- The risk to your long-term health and well-being
- Product liability of the manufacturer of the car, truck, or bicycle
Your bicycle accident attorney will explain and make sure you completely understand what your legal options are. You should not have to go through this tough situation alone. You deserve a confident and skilled personal bicycle accident lawyer who can discuss your case and deal with the insurance company in settlement negotiations.
"Our goal is to remove the stress of the case from you, so you can focus on treating your injuries and begin your road to recovery."
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Proving Fault and Negligence After a Bicycle Accident
To prove negligence on the part of the driver, your attorney must prove that the driver owed you a duty of care; the driver breached that duty; you were injured; and the driver’s breach caused your injury.
Proving fault and negligence after a bicycle accident requires showing that the driver, property owner, or another party failed to follow traffic laws or safety standards, directly causing the crash. Evidence such as witness statements, medical records, camera footage, and accident reports can establish liability.
If your attorney can successfully prove negligence, you will be entitled to receive damages to compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If your bicycle accident lawyer can prove that the driver acted recklessly, such as in drunk driving cases, they may pursue punitive damages.
FAQs: Recovering Compensation for a Bicycle Crash
- What should I do after a bicycle crash? Get immediate medical treatment, then contact a California bicycle accident lawyer for legal advice.
- Do I need a lawyer? Yes. Injury victims benefit from a personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle cycling accident claims.
- Can I recover more with a lawyer? A skilled Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can often obtain more compensation for accident damages, medical bills, and property damage claim recovery.
- Does insurance cover bicycle-car accidents? Yes, some auto policies cover bicycle accident claims, but you should hire a lawyer to pursue maximum compensation.
Contact Our Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a bike crash, don’t wait to contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles at BANA LAW today for a free consultation. Our personal injury law firm represents the cycling community and injury victims in cycling accident cases.
Whether your accident involves public property, construction zones, or negligent drivers, our bicycle accident lawyers will fight for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. Visit our blog to learn more about what the attorneys at BANA LAW can do for you
"We use over 100 years of combined legal experience to help our clients get the maximum compensation available under the circumstances."
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