BICYCLE ACCIDENTS
BICYCLE ACCIDENTS: COMMON CAUSES AND INJURIES
Bicycles are increasingly used in large cities, such as Los Angeles. However, this popularity has coincided with a growing number of accidents involving bicyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over seven hundred (700) of these accidents occur in the United States each year. In fact, some of the highest number of fatal bicycle accidents take place in California. These accidents clearly result in substantial physical injuries, medical bills, and lost income. The experienced attorneys at Slatter Law Firm will aggressively fight to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
There are greater numbers of cyclists in large cities. In Los Angeles, bike riders and motor cyclists share crowded roadways, which increases the riders risk of being involved in a collision and increases the nature of their injuries. These accidents are often caused by a motorist failing to see the bicyclist. The following are the most common causes for these accidents: (1) a motorist striking a bicyclist when making a left turn; (2) a motorist carelessly opening a car door without observing a nearby bicyclist; (3) a vehicle abruptly reversing and striking a bicyclist; (3) lane changes without seeing the bicyclist; and (4) collisions in intersections. Bicycle accidents often result in substantial injuries, including bone fractures, paralysis, spinal cord injury, concussions, traumatic brain injury, nerve damage, and facial and body cuts and scars.
Accidents involving bicycles are governed by the laws of negligence. The law affords bicyclists the same rights as any other vehicle. In other words, drivers must exercise due care to prevent harm to bicyclists. This duty requires drivers to be attentive and mindful of bicyclists. If a driver fails to do so, he or she may be at-fault for your injuries. There are multiple at-fault persons for these accidents. They include the driver, registered owner, and the business employing the driver at the time of the accident. Your personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all at-fault persons.
As previously stated, collision between automobiles and bicycles result in tragic and significant injuries to bicyclists. Due to the severe nature of these injuries, victims often require costly medical treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and pain management. Additionally, these incidents cause significant trauma to victims, and victims often undergo lengthy mental treatment. These injuries and resulting medical treatment typically cause victims to miss long periods from work. However, the law compensates victims for these damages, along with the pain and suffering associated with the bicycle accident.
Finally, the law requires your lawsuit to be filed within two years of your injury date. If your case is not timely filed, you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Please contact an experienced bicycle attorney immediately after your injury.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a dangerous road condition. Slatter Law Firm has been helping individuals injured due to car accidents and slip and falls throughout Los Angeles and Southern California for over four decades. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (310) 405-0964 or contact us online.
