When you are riding a bicycle, you are at risk of being involved in a collision with a careless driver of a car or truck. Unsurprisingly, one of the leading causes of bicycle crashes is inattentive or distracted driving. All too often, drivers talk, text, check email, or look at social media sites while they should be paying attention. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can seriously delay a driver’s reaction time and ability to maintain a safe distance from a cyclist.
If the driver is also speeding, the outcome can be devastating or even fatal for the cyclist. Drivers often engage in right-hand turns when a cyclist is approaching in the bicycle lane, resulting in the driver T-boning the cyclist or causing the cyclist to collide with the vehicle. Under California law, drivers are required to check bicycle lanes when completing turns that require them to cross through the lane. Thus, a bicycle accident attorney in the area can help a victim hold a driver accountable for failing to take this precaution. Another common cause of bicycle accidents is failing to yield the right-of-way. If a cyclist is using the left-hand turn lane to complete a turn, it is critical that drivers pay attention and stay aware of the cyclist’s location. Also, many bicyclists are needlessly injured as a result of an intoxicated driver’s lack of capacity to watch out for nearby bicyclists. These are only a few examples of how drivers can cause bicyclists to suffer serious injuries.
>If you were harmed as a result of a careless driver’s inattention or failure to follow traffic laws, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. The first step toward success is showing that the driver owed you a duty and failed to drive according to that duty. On the road, we each owe one another a duty to drive with the same caution and care that a reasonably prudent driver would use when facing a similar situation. This includes refraining from distracted driving activities, abiding by traffic laws, and adjusting our driving to account for any unusual conditions, such as construction or bad weather.
After showing that the driver did not abide by this standard, your bicycle accident attorney must show that this behavior was the direct cause of your injuries. If the driver can show that some other factor was to blame, such as your own negligent conduct, your recovery may be reduced. However, it will not be barred unless you were completely at fault for the accident. Finally, you will need to offer evidence that supports the amount of compensation that you are requesting, including past and estimated future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and more. An experienced injury lawyer can help you review your claim and ensure that you are seeking the full amount of compensation that you need.
Like motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents can lead to some of the most painful and life-changing injuries. While you are coping with the disruption and stress that the accident has caused in your life, we will work tirelessly to assert your legal rights. We proudly assist clients located throughout the Los Angeles area, including in Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lakewood, Monrovia, Pacoima, Pico Rivera, Redondo Beach, South Gate, Van Nuys, Whittier. Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Orange, Santa Ana, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, and other communities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. To schedule a free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer, call us at (213) 455-4050 or contact us online.
Phone: (213) 455 4050
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