Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles
There has recently been something of a bicycle revolution in the United States. Style trends in new wave urbanization have hit urban centers all across the country and Southern California has been no exception. Riding bikes has become cool for children and adults alike. Aside from this, increasing gas prices and environmental concerns have pushed municipalities to make themselves “green” by increasing bike lanes including on major thoroughfares all over Southern California. Bicycles in many cases have gone from recreational leisure vehicles to genuine modes of transportation for individuals. Factor in the year-round bike weather and the result is an unprecedented amount of bike ridership around our area. Unfortunately this also means a higher incidence of bicycle related accidents.
Know About The Rights of Bicycle Accident Victims in California
Just about every Vehicle Code in the country is in agreement, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as a driver of a motor vehicle on the road. Yet many motorists seem to disregard how easy it is to run into a bicyclist and their vulnerability on the streets. The vast majority of bicycle related accidents occur in a crosswalk, a dedicated bike lane, or more generally when the bike rider is doing the right thing. Although serious biking accidents are far fewer than car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accidents– they are increasing in frequency and can lead to just as serious repercussions and damages for the victims. Many people believe bike accidents are the result of reckless bike riders but this notion is simply untrue. Most bicyclists ride incredibly defensively to look out for car traffic, pedestrians, potholes, loose gravel, opening car doors, and other road hazards. A bicycle accident or a bicycle-car collision can be serious and you will need the advice of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from Custodio & Dubey, LLP to represent your interests and help you recover for the damages you have suffered as a result of the accident.
Choose Custodio & Dubey, LLP to Represent Your Interests in Bicycle Accident
Only about 1/3 of all bicycle accidents involve other motor vehicles but they are overwhelmingly the majority of accidents that cause bike riders serious injury and fatality. Consequently the majority of the time it is the driver of the motor vehicle is at fault for the collision. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration records show that in 2011 a reported 48,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic accidents in the United States and 677 were killed. As bike riders everywhere can attest, drivers of cars and trucks simply do not respect the rights of cyclists, do not pay proper attention to their surroundings, and do not look for cyclists when attempting moves that can endanger their a cyclist on the road. Cyclists are seriously injured or killed by motorists that make right turns directly in front of oncoming bicyclists, do not check blind spots when changing lanes, sideswipe cyclists riding on the shoulder, open doors in front of them, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fail to stop at stop signs, pull out from driveways or side streets without looking, or other reckless and negligent driving that endangers cyclists. Again, motorists are often ignorant of the California laws protecting bicyclists and entitling them same rights to use the streets as motorists.
Bicycle Accident by Driver Negligence in Los Angeles
As a victim of a bicycle accident in Los Angels you may be entitled to compensation on the bases of the negligence of another driver, the owner of the vehicle or the driver’s employer, as well as the city or bike manufacturer depending on the circumstances. The Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys at Custodio & Dubey, LLP are aggressive litigators that will push for the maximum compensation for your injuries and loss. Our sophisticated legal practice covers all of our client’s bases and protects them from the low-ball offers and delay tactics scurrilous insurance companies employ to bamboozle them unwitting and unrepresented victims.
Whether it is a formal mode of transportation, exercise and fitness focused, or for leisure riding, bicycling has become a way of life for many. Bicycling enthusiasts have noticed a change in the way they share the road with motorists, with bike paths and safety initiatives leaning in their favor as cities expand to adapt to new and seasoned cyclists alike.
The year-round warm weather in Southern California and the increase in bicycle traffic culminate into an uptick in fitness levels and a decrease in carbon footprints. Unfortunately, these optimizations can also spell danger with growing numbers of bicycle accidents in Los Angeles, CA. At Custodio & Dubey, LLP, our Los Angeles bicycle accidents attorney group represents these personal injury victims with a concentrated effort on full recovery.
Common Bicycle Accidents & Causes
Bicycle accidents can be devastating, no matter the collision course. If a negligent party caused your bike crash, they must be held responsible for their actions.
We can help those injured in bicycle accidents recover fully from any number of circumstances that caused their crash, including:
- Hit by vehicle
- Struck by an object
- Ran off the road
- Forced crash to the ground
- Pedestrian interference
- Roadway obstructions or poor maintenance
- Dog chase or attack
- Inattentive bikers passing/approaching
- Vehicles turning in front of bicyclists
- Motorist failure to check blind spots or shoulder when changing lanes
- Failures in stopping at traffic lights or obeying signage
- Vehicles exiting driveways, stores, and exits without acknowledging cyclists
- Car door openings in front of passing bicyclists
Our Los Angeles bicycle accidents attorneys take bicycle accidents seriously, as we understand the injuries can be life-altering. Sharing the roadways with bicyclists is our legal and moral obligation as motorists in Los Angeles.
US Bicycle Accident Statistics
The growth in bicycling, and the injury statistics that result from the increased peddlers traveling the roadways, is reflected in the data compiled by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. The results are eye-opening.
- More than two people per day are killed annually in US motor vehicle/bicycle crashes
- Adolescents, young adults (15-19 years) and adults over 40 have the highest bicycle death rates
- More than ⅓ of bicycle-related injuries reported in emergency rooms in the US are children ages 5-14, adolescents, and young adults ages 15-24
- Male riders are more likely to be injured or killed in a bicycle accident than female riders
- 88% of the individuals killed in bicycle accidents are male
- The majority of cyclist deaths, 71%, occur in urban areas, in non-intersection locations
- In just over a decade, there has been a 64% increase in cyclists who travel to work by bike
- 20% of bicycle accident fatalities occur between 6pm and 8:59pm
- California is only second to Florida in annual bicycle fatalities, averaging 128 per year
Bicycle Accident Injuries
Even with the evolution in riding technology, cycling safety gear, and lightweight and easily maneuverable bikes, serious injuries can result from a collision. Whether a bicyclist collides with a car, a structure or the ground, the consequences can be disastrous and overwhelming.
The most common injuries associated with bicycle injuries include:
- Cuts, scrapes and bruising
- Fractured and broken bones
- Muscle and ligament damage
- Neck and spine injuries
- Head injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Scarring
You should not have to suffer physically and emotionally in an attempt to pin down the person responsible for your injuries. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Los Angeles, CA will track down the offender and apply the legal pressure necessary to extract the settlement you deserve. At Custodio & Dubey, LLP we will not rest until you have achieved full recovery.
Contact Our Accomplished Los Angeles Legal Team Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Los Angeles, CA contact our leading legal team today for help. We will guide your bicycle accident case through the legal process with only victory in mind, compelling a settlement that will allow you to get back to enjoying life. At Custodio & Dubey, LLP our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers focus on success for our clients. Call us today at (213) 593-9095 for a free consultation.
Hire! Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Now!
If you or a loved one are involved in a bicycle accident and sustain serious injury or loss you should contact the offices of Custodio & Dubey, LLP without hesitation. The bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles at Custodio & Dubey, LLP are some of the best and brightest with tremendous experience in these matters and a track record of getting the best results for their clients in the most efficient and professional manner. Call toll free at (213) 593-9095 for a free consultation of your case anytime. You can also fill out our online consultation form and an attorney will contact you as soon as possible.
