Biking in Los Angeles is exciting, with beautiful trails by the sea and exciting routes downtown. Each trip shares its tale. Yet, if a bike crash happens, it’s crucial to have a Los Angeles bike crash attorney with you who knows the different areas of the city well.
If you like riding along Santa Monica’s special bike paths, taking in the old charm of Pasadena, or experiencing the lively atmosphere of Boyle Heights, Trauma Law is here to support you. If you’re ever in a bike crash, we’ll fight for your rights and help you get the money that’s fair for you.
Choose Trauma Law For Your Bike Accident Case In Los Angeles
At Trauma Law, we’re changing the game in lawyer services. Our injury attorneys put you first, helping you get the care you need and changing your life with top-notch legal help. We take care of all the insurance forms and talks so you can focus on getting better. For top-tier service without cutting corners, pick Trauma Law. You’ll notice the big difference we bring to your bike crash case.
Can I File a Claim for My Bike Accident?
Being careless is often at the heart of many bike crash cases because it means not being careful enough, which can hurt people. This is the main point in most bike crash cases. To prove someone was careless, four main parts must be shown.
● Duty of Care – The first step is to prove that the person you’re suing is responsible for being careful not to hurt you. For a bike crash, you must show they were legally supposed to be cautious around other people using the street.
● Breach of Duty – The next part shows that the person being sued didn’t act as they should have towards the one suing. This might mean they acted without thinking, didn’t follow driving rules, or did something a careful person wouldn’t do under the same conditions.
● Causation – To prove the defendant’s fault, it has to be shown that their actions were the reason the plaintiff got hurt. Simply put, the harm the plaintiff suffered should be something that could be predicted from what the defendant did.
● Damages – To win a carelessness case, the person suing needs to show they were hurt or had a loss because the other person didn’t do their duty. This might mean body hurts, broken things, doctor bills, missed pay, or deep aches.
What Usually Leads To Bike Accidents?
Based on a report from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), last year saw 961 bike riders die in accidents involving cars.
any people who ride bikes say car drivers don’t give them the space they should. They’re busy texting, calling, or driving too fast instead of safely sharing the street with bike riders.
Drivers often focus on their safety, so bike riders must always stay sharp and watchful, as it could save their lives.
Per a safety agency report, the usual reasons for bike accidents include the following:
● Driving too fast
● badly planned intersections
● hard-to-see areas
● not following road rules
● not paying attention or driving carelessly
● dangerous streets
● not enough space between people driving cars and people riding bikes.
About 35% of deadly bike crashes involve alcohol or drugs, making accidents much more likely. Drivers and cyclists should stay clear of these substances and follow the NHTSA’s road rules to stay safe.
What Usually Leads To Getting Hurt In Bike Accident?
In the last ten years, bike riders have been in about 30% more road accidents. Even though bike riders can use roads like car drivers, problems with how drivers act and the setup of the streets are causing more bike crashes in California. This is becoming a bigger worry for keeping people safe on the road.
Sadly, bad injuries like brain damage often happen in bicycle crashes. Head injuries are some of the usual ones people get from bike accidents.
● Wrongful death
● Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
● Neck/back or spinal cord injuries
● Paralysis (paraplegia/quadriplegia)
● Broken bones/bone fractures
● Facial/dental/jaw injuries
● Lacerations
● Road rash
When a bike rider gets hurt in a car crash, they often have to get help from a doctor. Paying for this help can become expensive fast, and it can be too much for someone if they need to keep getting care for a long time.
What Kind Of Compensation Can You Get From A Bike Accident In Los Angeles?
Bikes don’t shield riders much, so when a bike and a car crash, the rider can get hurt, even severely, like with a damaged brain, spine, or broken bones. These injuries can cost a lot to fix. People hurt in bike crashes often can’t work for a while, making money worries worse.
After a bike crash, individuals can file a claim to get compensation for these losses:
● Specific financial losses include past and future health care costs, missed income, reduced ability to earn money, changes needed for your home or car, and services you must pay for like child care or fixing your house and car.
● General non-financial losses cover bodily pain, suffering, harm to family relationships, and emotional upset.
More than one person is to blame for the crash. It’s essential to find out who they are by looking into it carefully before you make your insurance claim.
Who Could Be Responsible For A Bike Accident Lawsuit?
Based on what happened in a bike crash, who is at fault can include different people. Some people who might be responsible are:
Motor Vehicle Drivers
Car, truck, or other vehicle operators may be responsible for a bike crash if careless behavior, like going too fast, ignoring a red light, or not giving way, leads to an accident.
Government Bodies
When a bicycle crash is caused by a road in bad shape or dangerous problems like a big hole or missing signs, the government group in charge of the road might have to answer for it.
Pedestrians
At times, pedestrians may play a role in causing bicycle crashes, like when they cross the street carelessly or step out in front of a bike rider. Who is at fault can depend on what the walker did.
Manufacturers
Should a faulty bike or part cause a crash, the maker or seller might be responsible due to product safety rules.
Employers
Should an employee have a bike accident while working, their employer could be responsible due to vicarious liability, mainly if it happens while doing their job.
Landowners
If a bike crash happens due to a dangerous spot on a person’s land, like a poorly kept path, the landowner can be responsible for being careless.
Steps to Take Following a Bike Accident
If a bike accident leaves you dazed or immobile, act according to your capacity to safeguard your well-being and legal rights. Here’s what you can do:
● Check Your Injuries: Treating even minor wounds is crucial to prevent serious health issues. Bikers should get medical help right away after a crash because only a professional check can reveal how bad the injuries are.
● Contact Emergency Services: If someone is injured, call 911 right away for help. Have the police write a report; it could be crucial for your situation.
● Document the Incident: Collect the driver’s insurance details and any witnesses’ information. Note all you recall, like when and where the mishap happened and the road status. Take pictures with your phone or camera of where the accident occurred.
● Be Mindful of Your Words: Avoid saying sorry or accepting blame for the bicycle accident. Tell the officers the facts briefly, and afterward, contact Trauma Law to ensure the best outcome for your legal matter.
● Get a Lawyer: Reach out to an attorney quickly following your mishap to guarantee your rights stay safe, and you get back all your losses. Should the insurance agency extend an offer, seek a lawyer’s advice; they often don’t propose settlements that fully cover your losses.
Time Limit for Filing a Claim After an Injury
Generally, you have a two-year window to make a legal claim if you’re hurt in an accident. However, various circumstances might give you more time to do so. Conversely, if your injury involves a government body or a public organization, you’re usually given six months to file your claim from the accident date.
To protect your interests, engaging a personal injury attorney is crucial. Insurance providers aim to minimize what they pay; you deserve a legal team that stands firm for your total compensation
How Can an Attorney Assist When I’m Hurt from a Bike Accident?
Suffering a bike crash can shake you up. If you get hurt from a bike accident, getting help from a good lawyer is helpful. A bicycle accident lawyer at Trauma Law can be there for you.
Legal Advice
An attorney specializing in bicycle accidents can clearly outline your legal entitlements and choices. They will clarify the pertinent laws and rules, making the personal injury claims process clearer.
Exploring the Accident and Collecting Proof
Our attorneys meticulously explore the details of your bike crash to determine who is at fault. They collect essential proof like testimonies from people who saw it, reports of the collision, and videos from security or road cameras if they exist.
Figuring Out Who’s at Fault
Determining who is to blame for your harm is critical to a strong personal injury case. Our attorneys can look at the facts to figure out who is responsible.
Talking to Insurance Companies
Talking to insurance companies might need clarification and be more challenging. Your attorney can speak to the insurance for you to get a reasonable agreement.
Bargaining and Agreement
Our attorneys are good at bargaining and will stand up for what you deserve. They’ll work hard to get a proper settlement, looking to get you the most for your injuries, medical costs, and other losses.
Support During Court
If you and the other party can’t agree, your lawyer will take your case to court. They’ll get everything ready and stand up for you, making sure your rights are looked after all through the court stuff.
Help from Doctors
Our lawyers work with doctors who know their stuff. These doctors can figure out how badly you’re hurt, talk about your health, and guess how much money you might need for future doctor visits.
Figuring Out What You’re Owed
Your lawyer will help you determine what you should get paid back for. This includes your medical costs, the money you didn’t earn because you couldn’t work, the stuff of yours that got wrecked, and the tough times you’ve had because of your injuries.
Feeling at Ease
Having a lawyer in your corner to care for the court things means you can concentrate on getting better and feeling okay again.
Payment-Only-If-You-Win Plan
Our personal injury attorneys work with a pay-if-you-succeed structure (contingency fee), so they only earn a fee if you are awarded damages. This method makes sure that anyone can afford a lawyer when necessary.
Seek Immediate Assistance from Trauma Law for Bicycle Accidents
Bike accidents can change lives, causing hurt, costly medical bills, and stress. If a bike crash in Los Angeles has affected you, standing up for your rights and going after the money you should get is critical.
Need help and money for what you’ve gone through? Contact Trauma Law at 559-490-1226 or visit our website to fill out a free form and talk to our bike crash lawyers in Los Angeles for free.
