Los Angeles Bicycle Accidents Lawyer
Over 25 Years of Experience · Over $100 Million Recovered
First and foremost, more Americans than ever are using their bicycles to commute, exercise, and relax. However, when cyclists share the road with motor vehicles, they expose themselves to catastrophic dangers. Consequently, a cyclist will likely sustain severe or fatal injuries during a crash. In fact, national statistics show that hundreds of cyclists die annually, while thousands more suffer life-altering harm.
The Dangers of Cycling in Urban Areas
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many fatal bicycle accidents occur at night and in heavily congested urban areas. Interestingly, these devastating crashes do not always happen at intersections. Therefore, if you are a regular commuter or an avid cyclist, you must urgently know your legal rights in case a motor vehicle strikes you.
Sharing the Road: Legal Responsibilities
In California, traffic laws dictate how both cyclists and drivers must behave. Understanding these rules is crucial when a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney builds your case.
Bicyclist Responsibilities
Specifically, bicycles are considered vehicles under the law. Therefore, you must follow the same rules as motorists:
- Riding in the same direction as traffic.
- Obeying all street signs, road markings, and signals.
- Avoiding texting or using mobile gadgets.
- Wearing highly visible clothing and using lights at night.
Driver Responsibilities
On the other hand, motorists must exercise extreme caution. They are legally expected to:
- Yield to bicyclists, particularly at intersections.
- Search surroundings before opening a car door (preventing “dooring”).
- Obey speed limits and reduce speed around cyclists.
- Provide a minimum of three feet of clearance when passing.
Common Injuries Sustained in a Bicycle Accident
Without the protective steel frame that motor vehicles provide, bicyclists suffer devastating physical trauma when hit by a car. Consequently, the impact of a fast-moving vehicle throws the rider, leading to catastrophic conditions. The most common injuries include:
Tragically, in high-speed collisions, bicyclists often succumb to fatal injuries, prompting families to file wrongful death lawsuits.
What to Do and How to Claim Compensation
If a negligent driver injures you, your immediate concern must be getting medical help from specialists. Subsequently, your injuries may require extensive surgical procedures and long periods of rehabilitation. Because medical bills pile up quickly and home care costs drain your finances, you need aggressive legal representation.
Furthermore, California law requires drivers to carry auto insurance to cover damages they cause. While you can file a claim directly, dealing with insurance adjusters presents massive challenges. Primarily, insurance companies prioritize their profits. Therefore, they routinely try to assign unfair blame to the cyclist to deny the claim or reduce the settlement value.
At Bedford Law Group, we know exactly how to defeat these corporate tactics. Ultimately, we evaluate your situation, establish the driver’s negligence, and demand the maximum value of compensation. If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, our trial attorneys are fully prepared to fight for your rights in court.
Contact Bedford Law Group Today
We invite you to call us today to arrange for your free initial consultation. Our dedicated firm handles all injury cases and wrongful death claims on a strict No Recovery, No Fee arrangement. Let us protect your financial future while you focus on healing.
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Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
What are the most important steps to take immediately after a bicycle accident in Los Angeles?
First, seek immediate medical care and call the police to ensure an official report is filed. Most importantly, do not repair your bicycle, wash your clothes, or throw away your helmet—these are critical pieces of evidence. Then, consult an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster.
Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault, such as riding outside the bike lane or not wearing a helmet?
Yes. California operates under a pure comparative negligence system. Therefore, you can still pursue compensation even if you share some blame for the crash. Ultimately, your final settlement will simply be reduced by your specific percentage of fault.
Who can be held liable for my bicycle accident besides a negligent driver?
Liability extends beyond just the motorist. Depending on the crash, our attorneys can hold government entities accountable for dangerous road designs or potholes, employers liable for crashes involving commercial vehicles, or manufacturers responsible for defective bicycle components.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in California?
Generally, California imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, if your accident was caused by a city bus or poor road maintenance by a government agency, you have a strict six-month deadline to file a formal notice of claim.
What types of compensation can a bicycle accident lawyer help me recover?
Severe bicycle collisions often require long-term care. Consequently, we aggressively fight to recover maximum compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage (your bicycle), and immense pain and suffering caused by the accident.
