If you or your loved ones were severely injured in a Los Angeles bicycle accident, you are not alone. In 2018, more than 850 bicyclists died in crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident that was someone else’s fault, you might now be weighing your legal options. It could be beneficial to hire a bicycle accident lawyer who might be able to help you get justice and compensation.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in California is generally only two years from the date of the accident or one year from when you discover your injuries, so getting legal advice quickly after an accident can help you file your claim well within this deadline.
Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, in some bicycle accidents, especially with cars or trucks, the injuries suffered by cyclists can be devastating and sometimes fatal. Bicyclists typically hit the ground or suffer from blunt force trauma when hit by a car. Some of the injuries in bicycle accidents can include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Wrist fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Bone fractures
Injuries from bicycle accidents can not only be painful and expensive. They also frequently require hospitalization, cause time off work, according to a study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. Accidents can also cause emotional and physical suffering in those affected.
If you suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to be responsible for all the costs alone. You could hold the liable party to account. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to find out whether you have a case and if you could get compensation for your injuries.
Liability in Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can happen for many reasons, some of which can be the fault of the cyclists themselves for not paying attention, cycling too fast, or not following traffic rules.
However, if a cyclist is hit by a car or a truck at high speed, for example, injuries can be devastating and even fatal. Injuries suffered through no fault of their own can impact cyclists negatively for the rest of their lives. If you have been in such an accident and suffered extensive injuries, you might be able to hold the at-fault party to account for your medical bills and other losses.
However, to have a successful case for a personal injury lawsuit, you will have to establish negligence and liability of the at-fault party. You will need to prove that the other party, for instance, an at-fault car driver, had a duty of care towards you, breached the duty of care, and that this breach directly caused the accident and your damages. While this may be obvious to you, to have a chance to be successful with your lawsuit, you will have to present hard evidence that holds up in a court of law.
Having a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer by your side can help with all aspects of a personal injury lawsuit, including building your case and proving another party’s fault.
For a free legal consultation with a Bicycle Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Comparative Fault Laws
Bicyclists have the same responsibilities and duty of care towards other road users as car drivers, which includes obeying traffic rules and signals. An accident is not automatically the car driver’s fault simply because a bicyclist has suffered severe injuries.
California Civil Code section 1714, California’s comparative fault or “negligence” law, can complicate a personal injury claim. If both parties have some fault in the accident, the damages are divided between parties according to the percentages they are at fault. If you were found to have partial fault in your bicycle accident, this could reduce your claim for compensation.
Some of the compensation you could receive in a personal injury bicycle accident case includes awards such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost wages
- Property damage
- Transportation costs
- Pain and suffering
Occasionally, the victim of a particularly negligent and ruthless at-fault party can receive punitive damages that are additional to any compensatory awards.
If you are partially at fault for an accident, you may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation, but doing so on your own could be challenging. However, you do not have to go through this process alone. Having legal representation in your corner might be beneficial to you.
Los Angeles Bicycle Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
A Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer Is Here for You
An accident can cause physical, mental, and financial havoc in your life. It can cause worry about unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and can leave you wondering about how to cope with all this, while also trying to heal from your injuries.
A Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer can help you with your personal injury case by gathering the evidence needed to prove the other party’s fault, negotiating with insurances, and taking your case to trial, if needed.
This leaves you free to focus on getting better and claiming your life back after a traumatizing accident. We have your best interests at heart, and we will do what we can to protect you not only from your present losses but also from damages that could arise in the future due to the injuries you suffered in an accident.
After an accident, money can be tight, and we understand this. With us, you do not need to worry about any upfront attorney costs or fees. We work on contingency only and get paid when we win your case, and you get your settlement.
We can offer you a free consultation so you can get clarity on your legal options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for an evaluation of your case at (800) 794-0444.
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