Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Protecting the Rights of Bicyclists After an Accident

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there has been an increase in bicycle accident fatalities across the country starting in 2010. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of fatalities recorded in California increased by 23%.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you probably have many questions about who pays for your medical expenses and other damages. Get answers to those questions by calling a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer at Effres & Associates.

Call our firm today at (818) 222-9720 today to schedule your free consultation.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Typically, bicycle accidents are caused because of the following factors:

• Failure by motorists to look out for bicyclists
• Distracted drivers on the roadways
• Impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving

A bicycle accident can result in a number of serious injuries including fractures, amputations, road rash, lacerations, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death. Brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries from a bike accident, and a bicyclist may continue to remain at risk for these injuries even if he or she is wearing a helmet while riding.

What Should I Do If I Get Hit by a Car on a Bike?

If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. Even if you believe the incident was relatively mild and you don’t think you were injured, you could have underlying injuries. In the shock that often follows these types of collisions, it is not uncommon for cyclists to be unaware of the full extent of their injuries or to even believe that they weren’t injured at all. However, you could have internal injuries that may not become apparent for hours or even days after the accident. Always seek medical attention after a bicycle accident, especially if you were hit by a car.

If you are able to, it is also important that you get the name and contact information of the driver who hit you. Unfortunately, many bicycle accidents involve hit and runs, in which the driver does not stop. You may also have been unable to take down the motorist’s information if you were severely injured and needed transportation to the hospital. While not having the driver’s information does not necessarily mean you will not be able to recover compensation, your options will be limited if you cannot bring a claim against the at-fault motorist.

Here are a few other important things to keep in mind if you are hit by a car while on a bike:

• Do not refuse medical treatment or make statements such as “I’m alright,” or “It’s okay,” if the motorist apologizes for the accident. Such statements can be used against you later by the at-fault person’s insurance company as proof that you weren’t really injured or, worse, that you were at fault for the accident.
• Call 911 and file an official police report at the scene if you or anyone else was injured in the accident. California law requires you to report any car accident that results in injury or death; having an official police report with details of the incident can also prove invaluable to the future success of your case.
• Document what happened. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, your bike, and any injuries you have sustained if possible. If there were any witnesses to the accident, take down their names, contact information, and a brief statement of what they saw. All of this can later be used as evidence to support your claim.
• Refrain from speaking with the motorist’s insurance company if they try to contact you. Remember, these insurance adjusters are not on your side, no matter how nice or helpful they may seem. In many cases, insurance companies will use misleading or deceitful tactics to get injured individuals to unwittingly admit guilt or downplay their injuries, which the insurance company can later use to devalue or deny claims.
• Contact an attorney with experience in bicycle accident claims. If you were injured after being hit by a negligent motorist, you are entitled to fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, recovering that compensation can be difficult without the help of an experienced attorney.

At Effres & Associates, we have considerable experience helping injured cyclists secure compensation in complex bicycle accident claims. If you were hit by a car while on your bike, or were otherwise injured in any type of bicycle accident, reach out to our firm to learn how we can help you.

What Types of Compensation Can I Claim?

A compensation claim may include medical expenses, lost income, future medical costs, future lost earnings, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, it is important that you seek immediate medical treatment and follow the recommendations of your health care providers.

For assistance filing a bicycle accident claim, call (818) 222-9720 to speak with a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney at our firm. Initial consultations are always free.

We offer our services for residents throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura, and all surrounding counties.