Riding a Bicycle in Los Angeles
Riding a bicycle in the greater Los Angeles area, including areas such as Santa Monica, Culver City, Downtown L.A., Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, can be a frightening task due to heavily congested roadways and streets. Dozens of Los Angeles bicycle accidents occur every month as cyclists must fend their way through Los Angeles, a city which is unfortunately fairly biker-unfriendly. The most common bicycle accidents occur when bicycles and cars collide. Bicyclists can suffer from a wide variety of injuries that can range from minor to fatal—including, but not limited to, cuts and abrasions, severe scrapes, broken or fractured bones, head injuries, concussions, brain trauma, and
spinal cord injuries.
Determining Legal Responsibility in a Bicycle Accident
Bicyclists have a certain responsibility to ride in the safest manner possible, staying within the bike lane wherever possible and paying special attention to the actions of nearby drivers. However, other motorists such as vehicle drivers, bus drivers, or motorcyclists must also use extra caution when driving near bicyclists, as bicyclists are largely unprotected on the road and are more prone to fatal injuries than other drivers. Drivers who fail to pay attention to the road, drive while distracted by some other activity, drive above the speed limit, or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause bicycle accidents with horrific consequences. Bicyclists who have been seriously hurt in accidents due to any of these causes can and should file a personal injury claim with the help of an expert
Los Angeles personal injury attorney who can help determine legal liability in bicycle accidents.
Other bicycle crashes can result from external factors such as poorly designed roadways, lack of proper street signage or road markings, malfunctioning bicycle parts, traffic signal failure, or improperly maintained streets containing cracked pavement or potholes. Whether bicycle accidents have been caused by driver error or road factors such as these, any bicyclist who has been injured in an accident for which he or she is not at fault has the right to receive financial compensation for any difficulties caused by the accident.
In order for bicyclists to file a bicycle accident claim, the cause of the accident must be officially determined. Insurance companies generally take on this responsibility, although it is their objective to pay as little money as possible to injured parties, and important factors may be overlooked during insurance investigations. This is why bicycle accident victims should consult with a respected Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer who will ensure that all elements of an accident are taken into consideration when determining accident liability. Accident attorneys know what to look for in an accident when bicyclists have been seriously injured by no fault of their own. Furthermore, Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys are familiar with accident litigation and negotiating the best possible settlements for bike accident victims.
A Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation
Once legal responsibility has been decided upon, bicyclists who have been injured in accidents can recover compensation from the negligent or faulty party, whether it be another driver, the City of Los Angeles, or even a bicycle maker. If you have ever fallen victim to a bicycling accident in Los Angeles, a professional lawyer from the Pacific Attorney Group will advocate for your rights as an accident victim. You may be entitled to compensation for injuries, medical costs, and even lost wages incurred by the accident.
Contact a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney today who can evaluate your case and help you file a personal injury claim today.