California bike accidents hit a 25-year high in recent years, and many of these accidents occurred in the Los Angeles area. As a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer, we know how difficult it can be if you or a loved one are injured or killed on a bicycle and we can help you pursue a personal injury claim.

Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles? 

Between 2016 and 2018, 455 cyclists died in CA alone, and countless others were injured. If your injuries are significant, stop you from going to work, or impact your quality of life, you can seek damages for your injuries.

When Should I Call a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer? 

If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. We know the dangers of riding a bike in Los Angeles, and we also know that cyclists have a right to use the roads.

The sooner you contact a local bicycle accident lawyer, the faster they’ll:

• Gather evidence
• Build a strategy to win your case
• Help you win a settlement for your case

If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a bicycle accident, contact us as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents 

Despite improved safety equipment and pedestrian-detection systems, bicycle accidents are rising. Many reasons exist for the increase in accidents, but the most common causes include:

Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving includes any instance where the person diverts their eyes from the road. A growing issue on California’s roadways is people driving and texting or using a smartphone when driving.

Taking your eyes off of the road for just five seconds is enough to go the length of a football field.

Drivers aged 16 to 20 are most at-risk of distracted driving. A few seconds of distraction can lead to a bicycle accident.

Failing to Stop or Yield 

Failure to stop at crosswalks or yield the right-of-way is a common reason for bike accidents. Often, these drivers are distracted and not paying attention to the road, but there are times when they miss a stop sign or fail to realize that they need to yield.

Speeding and Reckless Driving 

Reckless driving and speeding charges can cover a wide range of incidents, including wet reckless, which involves driving while intoxicated. Speeding is on the rise across the state, with over 29% of all road fatalities involving speeding.

Speeding is considered reckless driving when the motorist travels at 15 mph or more over the speed limit.

Additional causes that are responsible for bicycle crashes in Los Angeles are:

• Left-turn collisions, where a driver doesn’t see the cyclist and makes the turn
• Right-turn collisions, where a motorist veers into the cyclist’s lane and hits them
• Door collisions, in which a driver opens their door without checking if a cyclist is approaching

Even if they wear helmets and protective gear, bicyclists can be significantly injured from a low-speed accident.

Types of Injuries from Bicycle Accidents 

Financial compensation depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Medical care
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Injuries sustained

Loss of quality of life is also considered in total compensation. A few of the most common injuries seen in bicycle accidents are:

Broken Bones 

Bone breaks and fractures are common, and severe breaks can require surgery to repair.

Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Helmets work to protect your brain, but jarring and impact can both lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A TBI can be life-altering, cause severe side effects and can cause death or disability.

Internal Injuries 

Internal damage often occurs with impact either from the vehicle, pavement or other objects. These injuries may heal on their own, or they may require serious medical intervention.

Spinal Cord Injuries 

Spinal cord injuries cause significant damage and can lead to disability, loss of function or paralysis. These injuries may require physical therapy and lead to loss of quality of life.

Finding the Best Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer for You 

Your lawyer needs to know the local laws and have the experience necessary to prove your case. Negligence must be proven, and many forms of negligence exist. Some of the many ways to prove that the driver was at fault for the accident are:

• Showing that the motorist was driving carelessly
• Demonstrating that the driver was aggressively driving, such as tailgating the cyclist
• Impairment, which slowed the motorist’s reaction time
• Failing to yield or follow road signs

Cyclists may also hold other parties negligent. For example, if a bike lane or dangerous road condition exists, it may be the fault of the Department of Transportation or another party.

Finding a local lawyer who has experience with bicycle accidents in Los Angeles will increase your chances of proving negligence and winning your case.

We have a reputation for fighting for our clients who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of another party. We’ll gather evidence, build a legal strategy for your case and fight to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.