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Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney

Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, speak with a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney at Citywide Law Group today.

We offer a free consultation and only get paid if you win. Call (424) 248-2700 for immediate assistance. Attorney Sherwin Arzani and his team have over 18 years experience helping cycling accident victims get the money they deserve.

Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Statistics

California had the highest bicycle accident rates in the U.S. in 2013, followed by Florida and Texas.

In 2015, the LA Times reported that Vermont Avenue in the city of LA is especially bad for bicyclists, with more than 230 bicycle accidents reported on Vermont over the past five years. More than 30 0f those accidents took place at three specific intersections:

  • Jefferson Blvd.,
  • Olympic Blvd, and
  • West 4th Street.

What If I Was Partly At-Fault for the Bicycle Accident?

Did you know that you can collect damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident? California follows what is known as the comparative fault rule. This means that the court will reduce your reward by the percentage it determines you were at-fault for the accident.

For example, assume the court determines that you were 20% responsible for the accident. If the award is $100,000, then your payout will be reduced by 20%, so you will receive $80,000. If you’re worried that you may be partly at-fault, call personal injury lawyer Sherwni Arzani to discuss your case.

Establishing Liability Following a Bicycle Accident

Establishing liability may be difficult after a bicycle accident. The car driver might claim that the accident was your fault. The issue is further complicated by the fact that hit and runs are more common in bicycle accidents than in two-car accidents.

We often investigate the accident scene and interview any witnesses. Our legal team will look for inconsistencies in the driver’s story. It is also important to determine who had the right-of-way and whether there were right-of-way violations by the driver.

To prove that driver was liable, we will need to show that:

  • The driver of the automobile did not act reasonably;
  • The driver of the automobile breached his or her duty of care;
  • That breach of duty of care caused your accident, and
  • Your injuries were a direct result of the accident.

There are some instances in which a defective bicycle or bicycle part was the cause of the accident. In this case, it must be shown that the:

  • bicycle or bicycle part was “unreasonably dangerous,”
  • bicyclist was operating the bicycle in its intended manner, and
  • performance of the bicycle did not change significantly since the purchase date.

Statute of Limitations Following a Bike Accident

A bicycle accident victim has two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. In some instances, you might have more time. Exceptions to the 2-year rule could potentially be made when:

  • The injured bicyclist is deemed to be mentally incompetent during the time the statue was running;
  • The injured bicyclist was so physically incapacitated as to be incapable of filing a claim for damages within the allowed statutory time;
  • The bicyclist was unaware a serious injury was sustained from the accident until later, or
  • The injured bicyclist was under the age of 18 when the accident occurred, therefore the statute will not begin until the minor’s 18th birthday, at which time he or she will have two years in which to file a claim.

If a bicyclist is hit by a government vehicle, such as a city bus, the statute of limitations is considerably shorter. In those cases, the cyclist has just six months from the time of the accident to file a claim for damages.

Potential Damages You Can Collect After a Cycling Accident

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, it is important that you speak to our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. You may be entitled to one or more of the following:

  • Medical expenses, past present and future. You will likely be entitled to have all your medical expenses related to the bicycle accident paid in full. This includes doctor bills, hospital bills, expenses for prescription drugs, rehabilitative therapy, and all other medical expenses.
  • Lost wages, past, present and future. If you were unable to return to work following your bicycle accident, you could be entitled to payment of lost wages for the time you were off. If you will never be able to return to work, you may be entitled to wages equal to what you would have made during the years you would have worked.
  • Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages may be awarded to those who have suffered, and will likely continue to suffer some level of physical or mental pain or trauma.

Medical expenses and lost wage compensation are known as economic damages. These are awarded to make the victim of an accident whole again.

Non-economic damages are for the physical and/or mental pain endured as a result of the accident and injury. Special damages cover medical expenses or other losses which were due to circumstances after the injury.

Most Common Types of Injuries Following a Bicycle Accident

When a bicyclist, with little to no protection, collides with a vehicle, the results can be tragic. Bicyclists who are not killed in an accident can suffer the following types of injury:

  • Head injuries and brain trauma: These are the most common type of bicycle injury sustained when a bicyclist collides with a vehicle. Bicyclists are often thrown over the handlebars after being hit, and many land, at least in part, on their head. Scrapes, gashes, bumps, bruises and skull fractures as well as traumatic brain injury which can cause loss of memory, decreased bodily functions and permanent disabilities are all possible when a bicyclist is hit by an automobile.
  • Spinal cord injuries: These injuries are a possibility when a bicyclist lands on his or her back, neck or head in a forceful manner. Vertebrae fractures and even paralysis are possible when a bicyclist lands forcefully after being hit by an automobile.
  • Broken or fractured bones: Broken or fractured bones in the arms, legs, shoulders, back, hips or neck are all “typical” injuries when a bicyclist is hit by an automobile. In some instances, the bicyclist may suffer multiple bone breaks or fractures, requiring extensive recovery times, expensive treatments and lengthy rehabilitation.
  • Facial Injuries: These can be severe for a bicyclist hit by an automobile. The injuries can include extreme scarring, a broken nose, chipped or broken teeth, a broken jaw, and the loss or damage of an eye.

Although the severity of the injury will depend on the:

  • type of impact,
  • whether the bicyclist wore a helmet,
  • the speed of the vehicle which collided with bicyclists, and
  • the condition of the roadway or trail.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

The National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors noted that a full third of bicyclist injuries occur after being struck by a car. When a vehicle is involved in a bicyclist crash, the contributing factors to that collision include:

  • The bicyclist was riding on the wrong side of the road, against oncoming traffic;
  • The bicyclist made an unpredictable move;
  • The motorist ran a stop light;
  • The motorist ran a stop sign;
  • The motorist made a right or left turn in front of the moving bicycle;
  • The motorist changed lanes without properly looking;
  • The motorist backed out without seeing the bicyclist;
  • The motorist violated the bicyclist’s right-of-way in some other way, or
  • The motorist was traveling at an unsafe speed for the roadway conditions.

What To Do After a Bicycle Accident

If you are able, following your bicycle accident, there are certain actions you can take which will benefit you when you seek compensation for your injuries.

The steps to take after an accident include:

  • wait for the police to arrive so you can give your version of the accident,
  • take their names and addresses of any witnesses,
  • document every aspect of the accident, including your injuries and medical treatments, and
  • seek legal advice from an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has a solid background in helping those who are victims of bicycle accidents.

Of course, you must first attend to your health. If you are injured in any way—even if you don’t believe your injuries are serious—let a doctor check you out. In many instances, the adrenaline rush you get at the time of an accident can mask serious injury symptoms.

How an Experienced Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Change Your Outcome

Having a zealous advocate in your corner following your bicycle accident can make all the difference in your future. Your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney will ensure you are taken care of financially, including your medical expenses and lost wages. He or she will also ensure all evidence is properly gathered and used to your advantage.


A Review of Citywide Law Group, A Personal Injury Law Firm

This was a great experience. Citywide Law group is the best firm for personal injury. They have experienced staff and attorneys who really care and make their clients their priority. They were in contact with me every step of the way and really worked hard on my personal injury case. I am truly grateful. I would highly recommend this firm.
Shayla M. via Google+
5 / 5