Alhambra Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Put Years of Experience in Your Corner

Over the years, cycling as a form of exercise has become increasingly popular, especially in sunny states like California. One unfortunate result of this is that there’s also been an increase in bicycle accident injuries and deaths – from 2016 to 2018, more cyclists died in traffic accidents across the state than during any three-year period in the last 25 years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 455 cyclists died in California from 2016 to 2018.

You can turn to Lara Law Firm if you’ve recently been injured in a bicycle accident. Our Alhambra bicycle accident attorney takes the time to learn about our clients’ needs and concerns, and we have the resources you need to investigate your accident and collect evidence to support your claim. Many drivers don’t acknowledge or respect the rights of bicyclists on the road – these individuals should be held responsible when they behave in a negligent manner.

Contact us online or by phone at (626) 790-5758 for a free consultation after you’ve been injured as a bicyclist. We have a thorough knowledge of California’s traffic and bike laws and can apply it to your case.

CA Bike Laws

According to California law, bicyclists are legally allowed to use the same lanes as drivers, even if they’re moving much slower than traffic, under the following conditions:

• When preparing to make a left turn
• When they’re avoiding hazards in the road
• When passing
• When a lane is too narrow to share

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can involve multiple bicyclists and even pedestrians, though many involve the drivers of motor vehicles. These accidents are more likely to occur in urban cities or areas with a lot of traffic, and Southern California is no stranger to either. Some of the most common ways that bicycle accidents occur in California include:

• Left-turn collisions: Drivers who are attempting left-hand turns and aren’t paying attention may drive directly in the path of an oncoming bicyclist, which can cause serious injuries.
• Right-hand turn collisions: Bicyclists are supposed to be protected in the bike lane, but sometimes drivers cross directly into the lane when making right-hand turns. Drivers who fail to signal and let a bicyclist know they’re going into their lane can be found guilty of negligence.
• Rear-end accidents: Drivers of motor vehicles sometimes follow too closely behind bicyclists and may not be able to brake in time before they rear-end them. These accidents are dangerous and often send bicyclists flying off their bikes.
• Dooring: Dooring refers to accidents that occur when parked cars open their doors in the bicycle lane without checking whether a bicyclist is approaching.

There are countless factors that contribute to bicycle accidents involving vehicles, the one of the most common causes is distracted driving. Because smartphones are now ubiquitous in the United States, that means many more drivers on the road are using their phones to text, take calls, or navigate themselves. When drivers aren’t focused on the road, they’re less likely to spot a bicyclist in their blind spot or in the lane they’re about to change into.

Why Do Bicyclists Suffer Serious Injuries?

Bicyclists only have their helmets to protect them in the event of a crash and don’t have the same protections that drivers and passengers of motor vehicles have, like airbags and seat belts. As a result, they’re more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident.

Known as catastrophic injuries, bicyclists often suffer debilitating injuries that can become permanent and require them to change the way they live their lives. A brain injury, for instance, may impair a bicyclist’s cognitive functions, requiring them to quit their jobs and ask for assistance around the house. Other common injuries include broken or crushed bones, back and neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries like paralysis.

Financial Compensation We Acquire for Bicyclists

Our lawyer knows how to calculate your expenses so we can secure the full amount of compensation you need to treat your damages. Because of the seriousness of your injuries, you may need to pay not only for emergency care like surgery or hospital stays but for future costs as well, such as medical equipment and at-home nursing care. When we represent you, we can recover the following damages:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity from missing work
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disability

The sooner we can investigate your case, the more likely we can recover evidence from the scene of your accident. We can take photos of your injuries, collect witness statements, and more on your behalf.

Get the help you deserve after a serious accident. Call our bicycle accident attorney in Alhambra at (626) 790-5758 to schedule your same-day, free consultation. We also help clients in Huntington Beach.