Brentwood Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Due to the considerable amount of traffic in and around Los Angeles, more and more people are using bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. While this is great for the environment, it can be dangerous for cyclists.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a bicycle accident, our bicycle accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge to help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
- From 2017 to 2021, there were an estimated 45,400 injury-only bicycle crashes.
- From 2010 to 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a yearly average of 800 bicyclist fatalities. The lack of protection afforded by a bicycle leaves the bicyclist with a much higher probability of sustaining a serious or fatal injury.
- In 2021, bicyclists accounted for 2.2% of all traffic fatalities.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Los Angeles and Their Lasting Effects
Bicycle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma. At Biren Law Group, our Brentwood attorneys understand the physical and emotional toll these injuries take.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see in LA, and the potential long-term impacts they can have:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, a head impact can cause a TBI, leading to cognitive deficits, memory loss, and personality changes. The long-term effects can require extensive rehabilitation and ongoing care.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These devastating injuries can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain. The impact on daily life and future independence can be profound, especially in a bustling city like Los Angeles.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Broken arms, legs, collarbones, and ribs are common in bicycle accidents. While many fractures heal, some can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for further surgeries.
- Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Severe road rash can cause permanent scarring and nerve damage. Soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments and tendons, can require extensive physical therapy and may result in long-term pain.
- Internal Injuries: These injuries, often hidden, can be life-threatening. Damage to organs can lead to ongoing medical complications and the need for specialized care.
Understanding the potential long-term impacts of these injuries is crucial for seeking adequate compensation. At Biren Law Group in Brentwood, we work with medical experts to fully assess the extent of your injuries and ensure your future needs are met.
Critical Steps After a Bicycle Accident
Preserving evidence is vital for building a strong case after a bicycle accident in Los Angeles.
Here’s what you should do:
- Take Photos and Videos: Capture images of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions (e.g., potholes, lack of bike lanes), and your injuries.
- Gather Witness Information: Obtain contact details from any witnesses, as their testimony can be crucial in Los Angeles courts.
- Preserve Damaged Property: Keep your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing as evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Document all injuries and medical treatment, keeping detailed records of doctor visits and expenses from medical providers.
- File a Police Report: Obtain a copy of the police report from the LAPD, which provides an official account of the accident.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters: If you have not consulted with an attorney, avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters, as they may use your words against you.
Determining Fault After a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles
Determining liability in a bicycle accident is crucial for recovering damages. Liability hinges on negligence, meaning someone failed to exercise reasonable care, causing your injuries.
Common scenarios where negligence may be involved in the LA area include:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted by the busy LA traffic can fail to see cyclists, leading to collisions.
- Dooring: Drivers or passengers opening car doors into the path of a cyclist, especially on congested LA streets, are often liable for resulting injuries.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to cyclists at intersections or crosswalks, a common occurrence, can be held responsible.
- Unsafe Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, or poorly maintained bike lanes, unfortunately prevalent in some parts of Los Angeles, can contribute to accidents, potentially making government entities liable.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases the risk of accidents, and impaired drivers can be held accountable, especially with California’s strict DUI laws.
It’s important to note that California operates under a comparative negligence system. This means that even if you’re partially at fault, you still have the opportunity to recover damages, but your award will be reduced proportionally. At Biren Law Group, our bicycle injury attorneys in Brentwood conduct thorough investigations to determine all liable parties and build a strong case on your behalf.
Navigating the Insurance Maze: Understanding the Bicycle Accident Claim Process
Dealing with insurance companies after a bicycle accident can be overwhelming. At Biren Law Group in Brentwood, we guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are protected.
- Reporting the Accident: We help you report the accident to the appropriate insurance companies, including the driver’s insurance and, if applicable, your own health or auto insurance.
- Documenting Damages: We assist in documenting all damages, including medical expenses from local hospitals and clinics, lost wages from your employer, and property damage, to support your claim.
- Negotiating with Adjusters: Insurance adjusters often attempt to minimize payouts. We handle all communication with adjusters, protecting you from unfair tactics.
- Understanding Policy Limits: We analyze all applicable insurance policies to determine the available coverage and pursue all avenues of recovery.
- Addressing Denials and Delays: Insurance companies may deny or delay claims. We challenge these decisions, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve under California law.
Our Strategies for Securing Full Compensation After a Bicycle Accident
At Biren Law Group, we understand that recovering from a bicycle accident involves more than just physical healing; it’s about securing your financial future. We employ several strategies to maximize your compensation.
Our bicycle accident lawyers are ready to:
- Complete a Comprehensive Investigation: We meticulously gather evidence, including police reports from the LAPD, witness statements, and accident scene photos, to build a compelling case.
- Seek Expert Medical Evaluation: We work with medical experts throughout Los Angeles to assess the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact, ensuring all future medical needs are accounted for.
- Negotiate Aggressively: We leverage our experience and knowledge of the Los Angeles legal landscape to negotiate with insurance companies, refusing to settle for less than you deserve.
- Provide Trial Advocacy: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial in Los Angeles courts, where our experienced litigators will fight for your rights.
- Calculate Future Damages: We work with financial experts to calculate future lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, ensuring you are fully compensated for your losses.
Our goal is to alleviate your financial burdens and help you focus on your recovery.
Understanding the Legal Process of Your Bicycle Accident Case
Navigating the legal process can be daunting. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:
- Initial Consultation: Our attorneys will review your case and explain your legal options.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We investigate the accident, gather evidence, and identify liable parties.
- Demand Letter: We send a demand letter to the insurance company, outlining your damages and settlement demands.
- Negotiation: We negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
- Mediation (if necessary): If negotiations fail, we may participate in mediation to attempt to resolve the case.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If mediation is unsuccessful, we file a lawsuit in Los Angeles courts and proceed to litigation.
- Discovery: We gather further evidence through depositions and interrogatories.
- Trial: If a settlement is not reached, we present your case to a jury.
- Settlement/Verdict: The case concludes with a settlement or jury verdict.
During this process we will keep you informed throughout each stage, ensuring you understand the process and your options.
Planning for Long-Term Medical Care and Rehabilitation
Many bicycle accident injuries require ongoing medical care. At Biren Law Group, we understand the importance of planning for your future needs and can help by:
- Assessing Future Medical Needs: We work with medical experts to evaluate your long-term medical needs, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments.
- Calculating Future Expenses: We calculate the cost of future medical care, ensuring your compensation covers these expenses.
- Securing Compensation for Rehabilitation: We pursue compensation for rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive devices.
- Addressing Chronic Pain Management: We address the potential for chronic pain and pursue compensation for pain management treatments.
- Planning for Long-Term Care: In cases of severe injuries, we plan for long-term care needs, such as home health care or assisted living options.
Why You Should Choose Biren Law Group to Represent Your Bike Accident Case
At Biren Law Group, every member of our law firm works on every single case. We utilize a team approach because we find it produces the best possible results.
When you choose to entrust our team with your case, you can rest easier knowing we can provide you with the following:
- A legal team backed by more than 40 years of experience
- A team that has recovered more than half a billion for our clients
- A legal team that handles each case on a contingency-fee basis- You won’t pay a dime unless we win your case!
We also consult with relevant experts, including those knowledgeable in accident reconstruction, road design and maintenance, and bicycle parts design and manufacture. In many cases, we will also work with medical experts or other damage experts to prove the full extent of your injuries, your economic losses, and the resulting diminution of your quality and enjoyment of life.
Helping You Recover the Compensation You Deserve
Our bicycle accident lawyers will look at every aspect of your accident to build a winning case. Our experience in proving damages allows us to pursue the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- And other expenses associated with your accident.
Get Our Experienced Brentwood Bike Accident Lawyers On Your Side
We regularly handle extremely complex cases that other personal injury law firms would not touch. At Biren Law Group we pride ourselves on taking cases to trial when insurance companies do not offer our clients a reasonable settlement. Our willingness to try cases, and our successes at trial, often results in the insurance companies offering our clients better options than they would to clients of other lawyers who do not push them to trial. In the end, our current clients win as a result of the hard work and success we have had for past clients.
We understand the uphill battle that individuals face when trying to deal with insurance companies. Biren Law Group is here to help you win that battle. Contact our bike accident attorneys to take your first step on the road to financial recovery.
