Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
Request Free ConsultationIn Los Angeles, many roads have inadequate bike lanes or shoulders, and drivers often ignore these protected spaces even when they are present. If you or a loved one has been injured – or even killed – in a bicycle-vehicle accident, you need the services of a Los Angeles bike accident lawyer – you have the right to take the responsible party to court. At the law firm of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will help you following your bike accident and put you on a path to a successful bicycle accident claim.
Why Choose Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP For Your Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Case?
For nearly 20 years, Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP has represented bike accident victims and their families throughout California. Our firm is known for delivering strong results while putting clients first. Call or schedule a FREE consultation using our contact form.
What Sets Our Firm Apart:
- Nationally recognized: Named one of the top plaintiffs’ law firms in the country by the National Law Journal and ranked “Tier 1” by U.S. News & World Report in multiple practice areas.
- Proven results: Our attorneys have secured more settlements and verdicts over $10 million than any other law firm in California history.
- Extensive experience: Founded in 2005, our firm has decades of combined experience representing injury victims against insurance companies and major corporations.
- Client-focused representation: We commit fully to every case, advocating aggressively to protect our clients and their families.
- Contingency fee basis: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
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How Can a Los Angeles Bicycle Crashes Attorney Help?
Many people are surprised to learn that a bicycle accident lawyer can help with far more than simply filing a lawsuit. When you hire a personal injury or motor vehicle accident attorney from Panish | Shea | Ravipudi, you gain an advocate who can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue fair compensation. A Los Angeles County bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm can assist by:
- Handling insurance companies: Insurers often try to settle quickly for far less than a claim is worth. A bike accident attorney negotiates on your behalf to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
- Evaluating settlement offers: Early settlement offers are often low. A lawyer can determine whether an offer fairly reflects your damages.
- Providing an objective perspective: After a traumatic accident, it can be difficult to assess your situation clearly. An attorney offers an unbiased evaluation of your claim.
- Advising you on your legal options: A lawyer can explain your rights, outline potential next steps, and help you decide the best path forward.
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What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident?
Los Angeles County law allows for bicycle accident victims to recover compensation in an amount that fully compensates the victim for injuries they suffered due to another person’s negligence.
While the specific bicycle accident claims for damages will vary in each case depending on the case’s facts and circumstances, victims may be able to recover compensation for the following types of damages:
- Medical bills and healthcare expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship for spouses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional damages
Oftentimes, calculating a specific claim for damages can be one of the most complicated parts of putting together a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced and capable bicycle accident attorney can assist you in calculating the amount of compensation that the law may entitle you to seek.
Our attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi are ready to assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for your claim, including Los Angeles wrongful death cases.
Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries In Los Angeles
Because bicyclists have little protection in a crash, accidents can lead to a wide range of serious injuries. Common injuries seen in bicycle accident cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Concussions and other brain injuries caused by a blow to the head.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine that can result in chronic pain, nerve damage, or paralysis.
- Broken bones and fractures: Collisions frequently cause fractures to the collarbone, arms, wrists, ribs, legs, and hips.
- Road rash and abrasions: Skin scraping against pavement can lead to painful wounds and potential infection.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and whiplash affecting muscles and joints.
- Facial and dental injuries: Broken noses, jaw injuries, eye trauma, and dental damage from direct impact.
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding or organ damage that may not be immediately noticeable after a crash.
- Amputations: Severe crashes can cause traumatic loss of a limb or injuries that require surgical amputation.
Even injuries that seem minor at first can develop into more serious medical issues over time. Seeking prompt medical care after a bicycle accident can help protect your health and document the extent of your injuries. If another party’s negligence caused the crash, working with experienced bicycle accident lawyers can also help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
California Bicycle Laws
California has specific traffic laws designed to help keep bicyclists and others on the road safe. These rules outline equipment requirements and safety standards that cyclists must follow when riding on public roads. Understanding these regulations can help riders avoid fines and reduce the risk of accidents.
California Vehicle Code VC 21201 addresses several bicycle equipment requirements, including:
- Functional brakes: It is illegal (and dangerous) to ride a bike with faulty brakes.
- Properly sized handlebars: Handlebars must be appropriately sized for the rider and cannot extend above the rider’s shoulder height.
There are also additional requirements for nighttime riding:
- Front light: Bikes must be equipped with a lamp or headlight visible from at least 300 feet ahead or from either side of the bicycle.
- Rear reflector: The rear of the bike must have a red reflector visible from at least 500 feet away.
- Pedal reflectors: Pedals must be equipped with white or yellow reflectors.
Following California’s bicycle laws can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve visibility for riders on the road. When cyclists and drivers alike follow these rules, it creates a safer environment for everyone sharing the streets of Los Angeles.
Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents In Los Angeles
Bicycle riders involved in an accident in California have two years to file a lawsuit for damages arising from the accident. This is called the statutory period; if you do not file your claim within this period, a judge may bar your claim. Certain exemptions do apply if the injured person was rendered incapable of filing a police report, claim, or suffers from mental incompetence (especially if said incompetence was the result of any of the accident injuries, such as a concussion).
If you have any doubts about your claim or accident, a Los Angeles accident attorney at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can help you determine whether or when to file your claim. Consulting with one of our attorneys as soon as possible will ensure the statute of limitations does not run out on your claim.
Who Is Liable In Los Angeles Bike Accidents
In some states, the driver is always at fault in a car-bicycle accident. Not so in California; the fault rests squarely with the negligent party, and said party is responsible for all damages.
“Negligent,” in California law, is defined as “failing to act in a manner expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under similar circumstances.”
What does this mean for car-bicycle accidents?
To prove the driver was acting negligently, the crash must have caused property damage or personal injury. It must also be proved that the driver or bicyclist acted carelessly and that the carelessness directly caused the crash. This is why it is always crucial to document the accident scene if possible, file a police report, and establish an attorney-client relationship with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in bicycle accident cases.
Pure Comparative Fault in Los Angeles, California
If the faulty party is responsible for all damages, and there are two faulty parties, who will pay?
To address this problem, California adopted a pure comparative negligence model.
The model asks: Who is more at fault? Who sustained more damage?
If, for example, one party is 25% at fault and the other 75%, the former party is entitled to 75% of the damages, which holds them accountable for the portion of the total damages they are responsible for. Your Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer can help you determine the percentage of liability in your accident.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles
When cyclists are struck by motor vehicles, the accident can be caused by anything – inattention, distraction, road or weather conditions, failing to check mirrors, or driver impairment. However, in Los Angeles, the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Failure to Yield to Bike Lanes
The most common cause of bicycle accidents is the failure to yield by other motorists. In recent years, shared vehicle/bicycle lanes have become very common on roads across the country, including in California.
Visibility Problems
One of the biggest reasons bicycling remains dangerous is that bicycles are not always easy for drivers to see on the road. While bicyclists can (and many do) wear reflective gear to assist visibility, reflective gear makes no difference in daylight.
Door Collisions
A cycling collision with a car door is a common accident that typically occurs when a parked car door opens. Because many bike lanes are situated on the outside edges of the roadway, in many major cities, they are directly abutted by parallel parking spots. Even in cities without specified bike lanes, bicyclists usually ride to the side of the road, and thus next to vehicles if any are parked on the street.
Contact a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
When a bicyclist is struck by a car, the bicyclist is at a much greater risk for serious injuries than the driver of the car. Because these injuries can be so serious, they can also inflict a great financial burden on victims and their families.
Contacting a Los Angeles County bike accident attorney to set up a free consultation is a no-cost, no-risk process. Our team of attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi is ready to assist you and your family today. Contact our office to set up a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys.