Beverly Hills Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Most Bicycle Accidents Resulting in Serious Injuries Involve Another Vehicle
What This Page Covers:
- Legal protections: California has bike lanes and Three Feet for Safety legislation to protect bicyclists.
- Bicyclist responsibilities: Cyclists must adhere to California’s bicycle laws and uphold their duty of care, which includes using hand signals and having the proper safety equipment.
- Potential compensation: Potentially recoverable damages for bicycle accidents include pain, suffering, property damage, medical bills, and lost wages.
- Why hire a lawyer: Setareh Law’s compassionate, experienced lawyers guide clients through the legal process, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies.
Bicycling is a convenient, eco-friendly way to get around Beverly Hills, but with the city’s busy roads and consistent traffic, it can also be dangerous. Bicyclists have significantly fewer protections than car drivers, making them more susceptible to serious injuries in an accident. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve a trustworthy, professional Beverly Hills bicycle accident lawyer who will fight tirelessly for your rights and maximum compensation while you focus on recovery. At Setareh Law, we do just that.
A bike accident can have devastating consequences, and navigating the aftermath often requires legal assistance to gather evidence and pursue claims for injuries sustained. Our compassionate lawyers have over 15 years of experience providing top-notch legal services to Beverly Hills bicycle accident victims. Therefore, you can trust us to protect your best interests and relieve stress by handling all aspects of your claim. We take the time to listen to your story and understand your needs to develop a personalized plan that gives you the best chance of achieving a fair settlement. With this dedication and our commitment to excellence, you can better understand your claim and make informed, confident decisions for your future.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, it’s essential to take the right steps to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a bicycle accident:
1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s crucial to get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, may not be immediately apparent, and delaying medical attention can worsen your condition.
2. Report the Accident: Call the police and report the accident. This will create an official record of the incident, which can be invaluable when filing a bicycle accident claim.
3. Gather Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bike or other property. Collect contact information from witnesses and the other parties involved. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability in your bicycle accident case.
4. Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney: Reach out to an experienced bicycle accident attorney who can guide you through the claims process and ensure you receive fair compensation. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will handle all legal aspects, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Causes and Prevention of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Distracted Driving: Motorists who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted can fail to see bicyclists, leading to dangerous collisions.
- Reckless Driving: Speeding, running red lights, and failing to yield can all contribute to bicycle accidents, putting bicycle riders at significant risk.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, and other hazards can cause bicyclists to lose control or crash, resulting in serious injuries.
- Bicycle Defects: Malfunctioning brakes, faulty tires, or other equipment failures can contribute to accidents, making it essential to regularly maintain your bike.
To prevent bicycle accidents, bicyclists can take several steps:
- Wear Safety Gear: Always wear a helmet and consider additional safety gear, such as knee pads and elbow pads, to protect yourself in case of an accident.
- Follow Traffic Laws: Obey traffic signals, stop signs, and other traffic laws to ensure you are riding safely and predictably.
- Be Visible: Wear bright clothing and use lights to increase your visibility to motorists, especially in low-light conditions.
- Maintain Your Bike: Regularly check and maintain your bike to ensure it’s in good working condition, reducing the risk of equipment-related accidents.
What Protections Do California Cyclists Have?
Designated bike lanes have been California’s answer to the increased number of cyclists in busy cities like Beverly Hills. While some have taken issue with these lanes and say they further endanger cyclists, state officials insist they are useful for cyclists traveling slower than the speed of traffic. All other cyclists have the freedom to ride their bikes in the mix of traffic.
To further protect those sharing lanes with motor vehicles, California officials passed legislation requiring motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of space when overtaking them. Anyone who fails to do so is violating the law and may be considered liable for a bicycle accident.
Responsibilities of a Cyclist in Beverly Hills
Cyclists must play their role in ensuring their safety and protecting those around them by following California bike laws. Beverly Hills bike riders must steer clear of the following actions, among others, to avoid liability in a bicycle accident and uphold their duty of care:
- Not using the proper hand signals when turning or crossing over lanes
- Not having a headlight
- Wearing earplugs in both ears other than a hearing aid
- Parking or stopping a bike in the bike lane
- Failing to use the bike lanes when needed
- Not wearing a helmet
- Using toll roads
These actions are not only against the law but also hazardous and increase the risk of an accident. However, even if you are partially at fault for a bicycle accident, you may still recover damages thanks to California’s pure comparative negligence system. With this system, each party involved receives a percentage of fault, and this percentage gets deducted from their respective damages. For example, if you are 20% responsible for a bicycle accident, your compensation is reduced by 20%. Our seasoned bicycle accident attorneys work hard to ensure you don’t receive an unfair fault percentage and fiercely advocate for a successful outcome.
What Compensation May You Recover After a Beverly Hills Bicycle Accident?
Injuries from a bicycle accident can have physical, psychological, and financial effects on your life, all of which deserve recognition. Based on your injuries and unique circumstances, you may receive compensation for the following losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning ability
While some of these damages, like medical bills and lost wages, are relatively straightforward to calculate, others, like pain and suffering, are often more complicated due to their subjective nature. Fortunately, our knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyers at Setareh Law consider every detail of your case to determine your claim’s worth accurately.
Should I Hire an Attorney After Being Hit While Riding a Bike?
After sustaining injuries in a Beverly Hills bicycle accident, you should prioritize your recovery instead of worrying about handling the legal process. Having a Beverly Hills bicycle accident attorney by your side allows you to take the time you need to heal. We handle every aspect of your case, including the following:
- Conducting a detailed investigation of the accident
- Interviewing witnesses
- Identifying a liable party
- Collecting and reviewing evidence
- Answering your legal questions
- Utilizing resources like traffic analysts to strengthen your case
- Developing a customized strategy
- Interpreting laws and regulations
- Negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Taking your claim to court if necessary
California provides all bicycle accident victims up to two years from the date of the incident to pursue a legal claim for damages. While this may seem like plenty of time to handle your case alone, recovery and the intricacies of the legal process can make it challenging to meet this deadline. With the help of our efficient bicycle accident lawyers, you can take full advantage of your opportunity to seek justice while making a full, smooth recovery.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Professional Beverly Hills Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Setareh Law
The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be overwhelming, and you may worry about missing work or paying your medical bills. Our caring bicycle accident attorney at Setareh Law understands these concerns and strives to alleviate your stress with our compassionate, dedicated approach. From creating a personalized plan to dealing with insurance companies on your behalf, you can rely on us to fight for your rights every step of the way.
We have over 15 years of experience handling the most complex bicycle accident claims, giving us the skills and knowledge to take on your claim, regardless of circumstances. Give one of our bicycle accident lawyers a call at (559) 354-2298 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. We also speak Spanish.
Schedule a Free Consult at Our Beverly Hills Location
Setareh Law, APLC
8484 Wilshire Blvd #870,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
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Practice Areas
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Brain Injury
- Burn Injury
- Bus Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury
- Construction Accidents
- Daycare Accidents
- Dog Bite
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Electric Scooter Accidents
- Fatal Car Accidents
- Head On Collisions
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Insurance Bad Faith
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Paralysis
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Real Estate Fraud
- Rear End Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Scooter Accident
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- SUV Rollover
- Truck Accidents
- Uninsured Motorists
- Whiplash Injury
- Wrongful Death Accidents
