Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle accidents in Los Angeles have been increasing in recent years, hitting the highest levels seen in a quarter of a century in spite of the city’s Vision Zero program which seeks to eliminate all traffic-related deaths by the year 2025.

When Should I Call a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Los Angeles, you should call an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible in order to:

• Learn more about the process of seeking compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury.
• Learn about the services an bicycle accident attorney can assist you with, such as handling communications with the insurance adjuster so that you can focus on your healing.

What Happens After a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is known to have a patchwork of accommodations for bicyclists, in which some areas are equipped with clear signage and separated bicycle lanes, while other areas have no bicycle lanes at all. For this reason, in addition to the city being more sprawled than most — which is also difficult for bicyclists — the organization People for Bikes ranked Los Angeles 55th out of 104 large cities for its bicycle friendliness. After a bicycle accident in Los Angeles:

• When a bicycle accident occurs in Los Angeles, everyone involved is required to stop. The drivers of vehicles involved in the accident must provide their insurance information to others.
• If there are injuries, 911 will be called. Emergency medical services will be made available to treat the injured, and the police will make a report.
• The injured bicyclist obtains medical treatment and seeks information from an attorney about the process of seeking compensation for their injury from an experienced attorney, who can assist them with this process.

What are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Due to the size discrepancy of the vehicles, the relative instability of a bicycle when compared to four-wheeled vehicles, and the lack of protection for the bicyclist’s body during the collision, some of these injuries can be catastrophic. Catastrophic injuries refer to injuries that present a high likelihood of resulting in permanent disabilities that can impair the sufferer’s ability to earn an income.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are two types of catastrophic injuries that occur in bicycle accidents. TBIs can result in disabilities such as memory loss, the inability to communicate or to understand spoken communication, difficulty moving in a balanced and coordinated manner, and the inability to control one’s behavior or emotions. SCIs can result in paralysis that impacts the body below the site of the injury. For individuals who suffer the injury high on the neck (cervical) area of the cord, this means that they will likely be paralyzed from the neck down.

Other common types of injuries to be suffered in bicycle accidents include:

• Road rash, which is a type of skin abrasion that occurs when the skin makes contact with a rough surface such as a roadway.
• Broken bones, which can occur in the lower extremities as a result of impact with the car or the roadway and are also common in the wrists and arms due to the body’s instinctive urge to protect itself from falling with outstretched arms.
• Internal injuries result from the impact of the collision on the body and carry a risk of dangerous internal bleeding, known as hemorrhaging.
• Soft tissue injuries, which are injuries that occur to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth getting a bicycle accident lawyer?

Yes. Bicycle accident lawyers have experience both in the legal personal injury claims process in California as well as a deep understanding of the types of injuries bicyclists often incur and the level of compensation necessary to cover both past and future expenses resulting from the injury.

What questions should you ask a bicycle accident lawyer?

Some questions you should ask a bicycle accident lawyer include:

• How much experience do you have with bicycle accident claims?
• What has your experience been with this type of case?
• How much compensation should I expect for my injuries?
• What is your track record?
• What are your fees? It is important to note that personal injury lawyers generally work on a contingent-fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay for your attorney’s services until there is a positive outcome to your claim.

Should I call a lawyer after a bicycle accident in Los Angeles?

If you have suffered injuries that required medical treatment and caused you to incur additional expenses for compensable items such as wage loss or to experience pain and suffering or other impacts from the injury, you should call a lawyer to learn more about the personal injury claims process.