Ehline Law Can Help
Or did another car accident cause a fatality to a friend or family member in Southern California? As people become more health conscious, there has been a significant increase in the number of cyclists on the road. The chances of being involved in a Los Angeles bicycle accident are now higher than ever, even though riders have the same rights as other California car drivers.
Unlike other types of vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents are hazardous to cyclists due to the possibility of suffering a serious injury. Traffic accidents involving a cyclist as the victim are among some of the worst bicycle accident lawyers have to deal with in all practice areas.
At Ehline Law, we have dedicated years to helping Los Angeles bicycle accident victims in their personal injury cases. We offer free consultations to all new clients involved in bicycle accidents. If you or your loved one has been involved in a bicycle crash, then let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can differentiate between winning and losing your personal injury claim. Contact the passionate attorneys at our law office today. Book a free consultation with one of the best bicyclist personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles for legal help.
What Are the Most Dangerous Streets for Cyclists in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles, CA, bicycle accident statistics make for grim reading. Each year, the streets of our city witness at least 2,000 bike accidents, which is terrible news for bicyclists, who only make up roughly 1% of all roadway traffic.
Riding your bike at night puts you at a much greater risk of being involved in a serious bicycle accident with other cars than at any other time of day in LA County.
While this is true in any given street in Los Angeles, certain roads have been identified as “danger zones,” such as:
- Venice Boulevard
- Sunset Boulevard
- Olympic Boulevard.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles?
With the large number of bicycle accident cases we have handled at Ehline Law Firm, we have noticed in most cases, the causes of bicycle accidents and trauma with another motorist are the same.
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Speeding
When a bicycle accident victim is hit by a fast-moving vehicle, the chances of death or suffering severe injuries among bicyclists are quite high.
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Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Many bicycle crashes have been caused by intoxicated drivers encroaching onto bike lanes and bike paths or failing to notice a stop sign or wrong-way/wrong side intersection signals.
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Dangerous Road Conditions
At times, a huge chunk of the blame is due to things beyond the control of either the driver or the bicyclist. Our personal injury attorneys see poor road maintenance or bad weather conditions when children ride among the many factors leading to California age-related bike crashes. Negligence can combine when people are not careful, leading to an ambulance ride to the emergency room for surgery or even deaths.
It’s crucial and to your advantage to have personal injury attorneys investigate and hold the at-fault parties liable, including companies with trucks or other vehicles that ran over the child before the standard “two-years” statute of limitations expires. And don’t forget when suing Caltrans or other California agencies, you may have less than six months to claim to get compensated. You can phone us today at (213) 596-9642 to learn more.
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California Drivers Not Paying Attention
Driving while performing other tasks, such as texting or eating, has often resulted in the negligent driver crashing into cyclists. This is a huge safety concern for someone on a scooter, bikers, passengers or pedestrians who are not protected inside a roll cage. To seek a financial recovery from the insurance company, personal injury attorneys may be necessary for the initial liability investigation and filing insurance claims over the safety breach.
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Defective Bicycle
Sometimes a personal injury attorney will have to represent bike accident victims who share some of the blame for not maintaining their bicycles properly and get injured. We want to hear your story so we can get you the most dollars after hiring us to settle and get you money after proving your case.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
The exposed nature of the riding position adopted by cyclists puts them at risk of suffering a wide range of injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Road rash
- Eye and face injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury.
Concussion: A Serious Head Injury You May Suffer Due to a Bicycle Accident
While many of the above mentioned injuries can be deemed severe or life-threatening, traumatic brain injuries result in the highest fatalities.
This type of injury can appear in many forms, such as:
- Concussion
- Contusion
- Intracranial hematoma
- Skull fracture.
Symptoms of a Concussion
Suffering from a concussion is very common among victims of a cycling accident. What makes this type of injury so dangerous is that it is challenging to determine how serious the injury is.
A person suffering from a concussion can exhibit the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Blurry or double vision
- Loss of balance and dizziness
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Depression
- Confusion and memory loss.
However, it is possible only to experience these symptoms when it is too late. Many victims have walked away from the accident scene feeling well, only to collapse and die due to an undiagnosed concussion. A bike accident attorney is the only way for the plaintiff to get justice after a collision because they can help prove liability against the at-fault motorists. These professionals can also protect the statute of limitations from expiring in most death cases against the government or a private party.
Factors That Affect the Severity of a Concussion
Cyclists have very little protection when riding their bikes, which is why it is very common for them to be thrown off their mounts and land on their heads, resulting in a concussion. Our team can lead your case to victory once you contact us and explain your pain and the situation.
Not all concussions are the same, though, and various factors regarding how the accident occurred determine the severity of the injury, such as:
- The speed and size of the motor vehicles
- Which area of the brain is affected
- The angle at which the rider falls
- Whether the victim was wearing a helmet or not.
A Concussion Can Cause Life-long Suffering
Severe concussions have been known to leave brain injury victims with lifelong disabilities.
This is generally the case when there is a delay in seeking medical assistance, or if the concussion goes unnoticed for a long time, which can result in:
- Chronic migraines
- Fits and seizures
- Localized paralysis
- Psychological changes, such as depression and mania.
These prolonged symptoms can last indefinitely, sometimes even the rest of the victim’s life. The cost of life-long medical care needs to be seriously considered. If your child flipped over their handlebars while biking, there could be a head injury from striking the pavement.
A detailed doctor’s report will help determine the extent of the injury and predict the value of the financial damages that may be deemed adequate. This evidence will allow the victim to continue receiving the medical attention they need for fractures or if a child is killed during an accident caused by a careless person.
Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Before going up against a large insurance company, bike riders should seek legal advice from a dedicated and experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney.
During the insurance claims process, good personal injury lawyers can assist as advocates in the following ways:
Represent Injured Bicyclists
Without proper legal representation, injured cyclists risk not receiving fair compensation or losing the lawsuit entirely because of failure to understand California law and other traffic laws regarding the rights of injured parties in a bicycle accident lawsuit.
Fight for You in Court
At times, a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer will have to fight very hard to prove fault on the part of the motor vehicle driver before any form of monetary compensation can be awarded to the cyclist who has suffered injuries.
Win Maximum Compensation for Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Medical expenses that are caused by serious bike accident head injuries can be expensive. As such, a bicycle accident lawyer will need to make sure that the financial compensation you receive is enough to cover the costs of your medical treatment. The maximum compensation you deserve can be discussed in detail during your free case evaluation.
Steps To Take After a Bike Accident
Your chances of winning a bicycle accident case depend on the steps you take immediately after the accident.
Follow these tips if you cycle and are hurt:
- Take yourself to the emergency room as soon as possible
- Obtain a police report
- Gather evidence, such as names of witnesses or pictures of the scene of the bike accident
- Keep receipts of hospital bills and all other medical expenses
- Get the other driver’s insurance information
- Do not admit fault for any cyclist accidents
- Schedule a free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer.
Factors to Consider for Bicycle Accident Case Compensation
Some of the following factors will determine the compensation you are likely to be awarded in a bike accident case:
Types of Injuries
The more severe the injuries, the more monetary compensation you will be entitled to for your medical bills and pain and suffering.
Who Was at Fault
Either the other driver is entirely at fault, or you share some of the blame. Either way, good personal injury lawyers will defend your rights regardless of what other factors are being considered.
If the Bicycle Accident Claim Goes To Trial
In the best-case scenario, your case will be settled out of court, and you can be awarded the following damages without the need for a trial:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disability
- Reduced quality of life.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Bicycle Head Injury Attorney in Los Angeles Today
You have the legal right to represent your bicycle injury claim by qualified lawyers who focus on you and your loss. Visit us for a free consultation, and let us win you the compensation your children deserve from the insurer or other party with deep pockets.
Our legal services for serious injuries are contingency fee basis only. We will negotiate your case and consult with you before settling. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid. Call (213) 596-9642, and speak to Michael Ehline or one of his super lawyers in your neighborhood today.
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