Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
Featured in Newsweek’s Top 10 Trial Lawyers, The Reeves Law Group is a law firm specializing in personal injury cases involving serious injuries, including serious bicycle accident cases. The law firm has successfully represented thousands of injured victims in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California for over 30 years. We have recovered over $250,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
If you suffered a severe injury while riding a bicycle and an accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to Call (800) 644-8000 or contact us for a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney.
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Why Hire The Reeves Law Group for Your Bicycle Accident Claim?
- $250,000,000 Recovered for Our Clients
- Newsweek’s 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys
- No Fee Guarantee – No Fees Unless We Win
As Los Angeles residents know, an aggressive driver looking for parking or a distracted driver can cause a serious traffic collision, and bicyclists can sustain severe life-threatening injuries and even fatal injuries from a bicycle collision. If you have a Los Angeles bicycle accident case you would like to discuss with an experienced attorney, Call (800) 644-8000 or contact us for a free initial consultation.
A Review of The Reeves Law Group, Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I was hit by a car while riding my bike. In the ER, I found out the car crash fractured a vertebrae in my low back. I searched for a knowledgeable and experienced bike accident attorney, and fortunately found The Reeves Law Group in Orange County, CA. My attorney called me regularly to check in to see how I was feeling and explain how the process worked, and also what steps needed to be taken next. He was extremely thorough and at the same time worked to get everything settled for me as rapidly as he could. I am extremely happy with the great, professional service I received, and how quickly my attorney resolved my case.
Teemu R. via Avvo
Review Rating: 5 / 5
Date Published: 08-25-2021
What Should I Do After a Bike Accident?
While it is important to know about safety and bicycling, even the most experienced cyclists can be involved in dangerous crashes especially in Los Angeles. If you or a loved one has been hurt while riding, the following suggestions will help you deal with the injury while getting you the help that you need.
Get Treatment: A cycling crash can be very serious, even when you think you aren’t hurt. Sometimes major injuries only seem minor at first. When necessary, have somebody drive you to a hospital or dial 911 and call an ambulance to the accident site. Paramedics will quickly get you to an emergency room. If hospital care isn’t necessary, make sure that you see your regular doctor as quickly as possible.
Call the Police: Immediately after the crash, call the authorities to the scene. They will identify the parties involved and will write up a report of the events. Ask them for a copy of this report. At the same time, you should attempt to put together the pieces of how the accident happened. Take photos of any evidence you think could be important before it is removed. Write down the names and contact information of everyone involved, including witnesses to the crash.
Meet with a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney: Because bikes can travel at high speeds and often a bike crash involves a motor vehicle, the potential for the accident to be serious is very high. This makes it very important for you to be represented by a skilled bicycle accident lawyer when you need to file a claim or pursue a bicycle accident lawsuit. A top Los Angeles attorney will have experience representing injured bicyclists and will know how to get you fair compensation. It is important to allow your bicycle accident attorney to handle all discussions with insurance companies and investigators.
How Do I Get Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in California?
If a negligent driver caused your accident, that party may owe you financial compensation for your injuries. Injured cyclists can pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover fair compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. Because they must prove fault to an insurance company that the negligent party is financially responsible for damages, it is advisable that you as the victim do not try to deal with the insurance companies alone.
Your Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer will investigate and determine the at-fault party responsible for the accident and what type of damages they may owe you. While vehicle drivers tend to be the at-fault party responsible for most bicycle accident cases, there may be some incidents where other factors were the cause of an accident such as unsafe road conditions or a defective bicycle. Regardless, identifying the negligent party and gathering critical evidence from the scene of the accident, which may include eyewitness testimony, are essential in building a strong case against the defendant.
What Are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Southern California has many bike riders who enjoy riding for exercise and leisure, and many of our residents rely on bicycling as a mode of transportation. However, even calm, scenic streets can be dangerous for bicycle riders.
In 2014, over 4,400 bicyclists were killed or injured in traffic accidents throughout Los Angeles County. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you should not have to pay for a careless driver’s mistakes.
Contact a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer at The Reeves Law Group to learn more about filing a claim for compensation.
Across the country, the number of cyclist commuters is increasing. To support this boom in cycling, more and more bike lanes are being built in major metropolitan areas, cycling laws are being passed to protect riders, and bike social groups are booming. With the growing number of bicyclists on the roads, it is an unfortunate fact that riders will face a higher risk of being hurt in an accident. Of course, the biggest risk to cyclists is motor vehicles. Whether a bicycle rider is on the sidewalk, bike lane, or sharing the road, motor vehicles pose a threat.
California state law requires motor vehicles and cyclists to take certain precautions to prevent such accidents. For example, all cyclists are required to use proper hand signals when turning or stopping and must travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic. Even when riders obey these rules, accidents happen.
According to the California Highway Patrol and the NHTSA, some common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Motor vehicle driver’s failure to notice a cyclist
- Cyclists’ not observing road rules and regulations
- Distracted driving or aggressive driving
- Alcohol-impaired driving and/or cycling
- Cyclist riding without reflective clothing or gear
- Car driver making an unsafe turn
- Drivers failing to yield to a cyclist
- Cyclist making an unsafe turn
California Bicycle Accident Statistics
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) maintains data on fatal and serious injuries throughout the state. The CDPH recorded the following statistics about bicycle accidents in 2012:
• There were 54,018 bike accidents resulting in emergency room visits.
• Of these accidents, 4,992 people were hospitalized for their bicycle accident injuries.
• 166 riders lost their lives in these accidents.
Also in 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collected data on bike accidents and found that the total number of bicycle accident injuries was up by 6% from 2011 and that most of these accidents happened in urban areas. California had the most bicycle fatalities in the entire country. Between 2016 and 2018, fatal bicycle accidents were at their highest in California for any three-year period since the mid-1990s with Los Angeles County leading that statistic among counties in the state.
Bicycle Accident Predictors
The NHTSA has noted certain trends that make bicycling a riskier activity during certain times of the day and in certain areas of the city:
- Most suffered injuries between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays during “rush hour” traffic.
- Most collisions occur in urban areas and 70% of all fatal bicycle accidents happen in busy metropolitan regions with a lot of foot and car traffic.
In addition to time and place, men tend to be involved in more serious bike accidents than women. In fact, male riders sustain approximately 90% of fatal bicycle injuries.
How Do I Stay Safe on My Bicycle?
Bicycle safety should always be a priority before you get on one. How can you stay safe on your bike?
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the Sharing the Road program, there are some essential tips for staying safe while riding your bicycle:
- Always maintain control of your bicycle: make sure your bike is the right size for your body, and never ride if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Protect your head and body: wear a helmet and protective clothing.
- Make yourself visible: wear light-colored or reflective clothing and use reflectors and lights on your bicycle.
- Be alert and communicate: use hand signals to make clear to motor vehicles and pedestrians your plans for turning or changing lanes.
- Always ride with the traffic: as a bicyclist, you’re a driver, not a pedestrian.
Hiring A Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me
Our law firm is amongst the most successful Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers in the state. If you’ve been in a bicycle accident in the Los Angeles area and need legal advice from a bicycle accident attorney, Call (800) 644-8000 or contact us for a free case review.
We make home and hospital visits!
[Written by Derek Pakiz. Article updated on 2022-11-28]
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