Beverly Hills Bike Accident Lawyers
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Beverly Hills Bike Accident Lawyers Offering Legal Help That’s Focused On You
Caught in a bicycle accident in Beverly Hills, California? Turn to our skilled Beverly Hills bike accident lawyers for dedicated assistance. Arash Law, headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has helped clients with personal injury settlements and trials for decades. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to see how we may address your concerns about your accident.
Our bike accident attorneys in Beverly Hills offer support to injured riders. We can help advocate for your rights and guide you through the claims process while you focus on recovering. So, if you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, reach out to us so we can discuss your case.
Settlement in a brake failure case involving a commercial defendant – case dropped by prominent local law firm; client suffered foot injury– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Can Our Beverly Hills Bike Accident Lawyers Do To Protect Victims’ Rights
Our skilled bicycle accident attorneys in Beverly Hills aim to make it easier for cyclists to pursue compensation for their injuries. We can help clarify complicated aspects of the legal process to inform their dealings with insurance companies. We also offer assistance tailored to your case’s details.
Our goal is to use our years of experience practicing personal injury law to address your needs after an accident. We work to ease any upfront financial burdens for our injured clients by working on a contingency fee basis, under which they don’t pay our attorneys unless they’re awarded a settlement. Call (888) 488-1391 to explore the litigation costs that may still apply under this agreement and see if you have a case.
If you do, here’s what our Beverly Hills bike accident lawyers can do to help protect your rights:
- We provide legal support.
Our bicycle accident lawyers can help you handle negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your chosen attorney can help you decide how to respond to the settlement offers you may receive, keeping your interests in mind to help you seek fair compensation for your losses.
- We evaluate your case.
With our bike accident lawyers by your side, you will have help in navigating your case’s legal complexities, including the California bicycle laws that may apply to your case.
The Beverly Hills bike accident lawyers at Arash Law will evaluate your case, from the accident details to the evidence. They may also collaborate with experts to gather evidence that they believe can support your case.
- We connect you with medical professionals.
Our experienced bike accident lawyers may help you find medical assistance where necessary as you pursue your claim.
California Law Protecting Cyclists
An increasing number of individuals are transitioning to using bicycles for commuting, and understandably so. It offers many advantages regarding health, the environment, and cost savings. However, as the number of cyclists increases, so does the chance of accidents. Fortunately, California has regulated bike laws to reduce the risk of accidents involving cyclists.
The state has also implemented designated bike lanes in response to the growing number of cyclists in busy communities such as Beverly Hills. Although there are concerns about these lanes potentially putting cyclists at risk, state officials argue that they are intended for cyclists who ride slower than the traffic flow. Other cyclists are free to ride alongside vehicles in the regular traffic lanes.
To enhance the safety of cyclists who share lanes with motor vehicles, California officials have set a regulation requiring motorists to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when passing cyclists. Failure to comply with this law can result in civil penalties.
Cyclists also have duties similar to those of vehicles in California. They must follow traffic laws, yield to pedestrians, and obey traffic signs and lights.
Bicycle Accident Data And Statistics
Bicycle accidents pose a problem in Beverly Hills and across the nation. Here are some data and statistics about bike accidents provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):
- In 2021, a total of 961 bicyclists lost their lives in accidents involving motor vehicles.
- 90% of these fatalities happened among individuals aged 20 and above.
- Every year since 1975, more male bicyclists than female bicyclists have died because of bike collisions with motor vehicles.
- In 2021, the majority of bicyclists killed (61%) were not wearing helmets.
- The helmet use of the bicyclists killed was unknown in 24% of the cases.
- Among bicyclists aged 16 and older who died in 2021, 19% had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08%.
- The highest number of fatalities in 2021 occurred in September (12%), followed by October (11%).
- The peak hours for bicyclist deaths in 2021 were 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (22%).
- 85% of bicycle deaths in 2021 occurred in urban areas.
- 35% of these fatal bike accidents in 2021 occurred at intersections.
- 65% of bicyclist deaths took place on major roads other than interstates and freeways, whereas 32% occurred on minor roads.
Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle riders face similar dangers as motorcyclists, with an even greater risk of injury due to their higher vulnerability and sensitivity to road conditions. Compared to motorcycles, bicycles are less stable and have a limited ability to avoid accidents, given their slower speed. Unfortunately, many accidents involving bicycles are caused by motorists, potentially resulting in severe injuries for the cyclist.
Car Turning Right/”Right Hook” Accidents
Bike-car collisions can occur in various scenarios when cars are making right turns, such as:
- The car overtakes a bike near an intersection and then turns right at the intersection, abruptly blocking the cyclist’s path.
- The bike overtakes a slower car on the right, and the car unexpectedly makes a right turn.
- Both the car and the bike are stopped at a traffic light. When the light changes, the vehicle turns right without giving enough space, potentially cutting off the bike.
Car Turning Left/“Left Cross” Accidents
The cyclist and driver come from different directions towards the intersection, and the driver makes a left turn, resulting in a collision with the cyclist. In these cases, the driver may have failed to notice the cyclist or miscalculated their speed. As such, the driver is typically responsible for the cyclist’s damages and injuries.
Stop Signs
A problem arises when the driver has a stop sign, but the bicyclist does not. In such a case, the bicyclist can cross the intersection. However, the driver may not notice them, inevitably leading to an accident.
Door Collisions
Open-door crashes often happen when drivers or passengers open their vehicle doors without checking for oncoming traffic. The failure to look may be seen as negligence and a violation of California’s traffic law.
Rear-End Collisions
Bicyclists may cause rear-end collisions if they fail to brake appropriately when approaching a car from behind at a stop sign or red light. Another scenario is when a bicyclist on the right side of the road suddenly swerves left to avoid a road hazard, resulting in a motor vehicle hitting them from behind.
Other factors that can lead to bicycle crashes include:
- Reckless driving, like speeding, not using turn signals, tailgating, etc.
- Distracted driving, like using a phone or eating while driving
- Driving a vehicle under the influence
- Motorists failing to watch out for cyclists while driving
Both cyclists and motor vehicle drivers share the same rights and responsibilities on the road. They must follow the same rules and have an equal right to be there.
In most cases, the driver is at fault for the collision. However, cyclists can reduce the risk of a crash by following bicycle safety guides, using proper gear, and staying focused and alert. Utilizing these bicycle hand signals is also beneficial to reduce bike accidents:
- Stop/slow down – Hold your left arm down and form a right angle with your palm open when you need to slow down or stop while biking.
- The left turn – Extend your left arm straight out to signal to drivers when making a left turn on your bike.
- The right turn – To indicate a right turn while biking, you can create a right angle with your left arm or hold out your right hand horizontally.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries In Beverly Hills
Bike accidents happen all over California, including Beverly Hills, which has many passionate cyclists and impatient drivers. Here are the most frequent injuries sustained in bike accidents:
- Broken Bones — These may range from fractures in the arms and legs to more severe injuries like broken ribs or collarbones.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — These can affect mobility and sensation, with potential long-term consequences.
- Road Rash — This common injury involves abrasions and skin damage caused by contact with the road surface during a bike accident.
- Lacerations — Cyclists may sustain lacerations, which are cuts or tears in the skin, often requiring medical attention and causing potential scarring.
- Disfigurement — Severe injuries can result in disfigurement, altering a person’s physical appearance and potentially leading to psychological challenges.
- Internal Bleeding — This severe condition needs immediate medical attention to prevent complications.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) — Head injuries from bike accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries, affecting cognitive function and requiring comprehensive medical care.
- Back and Neck Injuries — Cyclists may experience back and neck injuries, ranging from strains and sprains to more severe conditions like herniated discs.
Damages Bicycle Accident Victims Can Seek
Damages refer to any financial or other losses due to an accident. These are given a specific monetary value, which can potentially be paid to you if you’re awarded a settlement. However, bike accident settlement amounts may vary due to the circumstances determining the final compensation.
When filing a bicycle accident claim, it is essential to provide proof of the expenses related to the accident. So, keep all bills, receipts, correspondence, and other relevant information supporting your claim.
Possible compensation you can pursue through a bicycle accident claim may include the following:
- Reasonable and related medical costs, including hospital bills, surgery expenses, physical therapy, counseling, and more
- Lost income, property damage (like bicycle repairs), and other related expenses
- Pain and suffering, such as PTSD, mental distress, and other non-monetary damages
- Compensation for funeral, burial, and other relevant expenses in the event of wrongful death
Liability For A Bicycle Accident
Who should be liable for a bicycle accident? The answer to this question varies. However, in most cases of personal injury claims, it is a matter of negligence. Simply put, someone’s careless or reckless behavior is the cause of the accident.
Several parties can be considered negligent, including:
- Drivers
- Pedestrians
- A city or government entity responsible for street maintenance
- A bicycle manufacturer that produces faulty products
For example, if a driver acts negligently and causes injuries to a bicyclist, they may be held accountable for the resulting damages and injuries.
Driver negligence refers to the failure of a driver to exercise reasonable care on the road. Some common instances in bicycle accidents are:
- Disobeying speed limits
- Turning left in front of a bicyclist
- Failing to provide sufficient space for a bicyclist to maneuver
- Driving under the influence
- Not paying attention to the road, such as by texting while driving
- Disregarding other traffic laws or signals
How To Establish Negligence In Beverly Hills Bike Accidents
To file a personal injury claim after a bike accident, you need to prove three things:
- The person responsible for the accident owed you a duty of care.
- They failed to fulfill this duty because of their negligence.
- You suffered severe injuries and damages because of their negligent behavior.
To establish negligence in your bicycle accident case in Beverly Hills, a lawyer can assist you in collecting the following evidence:
- Physical evidence, including vehicles involved in the collision and the safety equipment worn by a biker at the time of the accident.
- Witness statements, which are often included in official police reports
- Photo and video footage
- Analysis and opinion of experts, such as accident reconstruction professionals
Can Cyclists Be Responsible For Accidents In Beverly Hills?
Every cyclist should follow California bike laws to ensure safety and avoid being held liable in bicycle accidents. That raises the question: how are cyclists responsible for bike accidents?
Here are some known unsafe practices that may deem bicyclists liable for accidents:
- Failing to signal properly when changing lanes or making turns
- Riding without a functioning headlight
- Illegally parking or stopping a bike in the designated bike lane
- Failing to use the bike lanes when required
- Riding without a helmet for safety
- Using toll roads while cycling
- Using earbuds or headphones in both ears, as wearing headphones is illegal while driving, with some exceptions per California Vehicle Code Section 27400
These actions are not only against the law but also hazardous and cause numerous bicycle accidents annually. However, one must remember that even if you share fault in a collision, you may still retain the right to pursue compensation with the help of a bicycle accident lawyer in Beverly Hills.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
What To Do After A Bicycle Accident
Here are a few examples of what you can do after being injured in a bike accident:
- Wait until the police show up at the accident scene.
- Do not negotiate with the motorist yet.
- Collect the driver’s and any witnesses’ information.
- Document what happened and take pictures of the accident scene.
- Make sure the police file a report.
- Seek immediate medical attention and keep official documentation of your injuries.
- Keep track of all evidence and store it safely.
- Consult a lawyer before talking to insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Seek Damages If You Were Not Wearing A Helmet During The Accident?
If you did not have a helmet on when the accident happened, the amount of compensation you could pursue might be affected. Under California Vehicle Code 21212, wearing a helmet while cycling is not required for adults, except for those under 18 years old. Still, wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries.
Suppose you were in a bicycle accident and injured your head or brain. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, the insurance company might argue that your injury was severe because you didn’t have one on. This may lower the amount of the compensation that may be available to you based on your share of the blame.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. If bicyclists are partly to blame for the accident, this could affect how much they’re potentially awarded in a personal injury case. For instance, a plaintiff found to be 20% responsible for their traumatic brain injury because they did not wear a helmet may see their compensation reduced by that percentage.
What Types Of Evidence Do You Need After A Bicycle Accident?
An experienced lawyer can investigate the location of the bike accident and collect the proof that might be needed to establish the other party’s liability. Some common types of evidence used in bicycle accident cases are:
- Photographs of the damaged vehicle and bike, skid marks, road conditions, and more.
- Video footage from surveillance cameras
- Police report
- Witness testimony
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
Contact Our Beverly Hills Bike Accident Lawyers For Your Case
Legal matters can be challenging, especially if you have experienced injuries and hardships due to an accident that was not your fault. Our Beverly Hills bike accident lawyers are committed to advocating for those who have been wrongfully injured.
Over the years, Arash Law has also been serving injured victims in the following nearby places: West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Hawthorne, Gardena, Torrance, and Alhambra, as well as across California.
Take the first step in your legal journey by calling (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation with our Beverly Hills bike accident lawyers.
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