A lot of people are riding their bicycles to work these days. It’s great for your body and good for the environment. The problem is, most of us aren’t professional cyclists. When we get on our bike, we ride like we’re out for a leisurely bike stroll. We may not pay as much attention to the traffic rules as we should. This means that we’re more prone to get into an accident than we normally would be. This is especially true if we’re riding through busy streets and main roads. Cars and trucks don’t really pay enough attention to bicycles. They don’t really expect to see them. Bicycle accidents tend to cause very serious injuries.
If you’re on your bike, nothing stands between you and a two-ton vehicle. All you have to protect you is a plastic helmet. This helmet isn’t going to do a whole lot when you’re crashed into by a speeding car. Most bike accident victims end up in the hospital. They need surgery and long-term physical therapy. They end up missing a lot of time from work. If someone else is responsible for the accident, they’re entitled to compensation. The most important thing to know is that you need to seek medical treatment immediately following your accident.. First, you need to make sure you’re okay. You could be suffering from internal injuries. Second, contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer with proof that you were injured.
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Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles
Bicycle accidents are more common than you may think.. This is especially true in a city like Los Angeles. You’re dealing with lots of traffic. Rarely is there a time of day when the streets of L.A. aren’t teeming with cars and trucks.
This traffic can lead to an increased number of accidents. People on their bikes are at a disadvantage. Passenger vehicles have blind spots.. Often times, cyclists aren’t seen because of these blind spots. Add this to ordinary negligence, and you have a nightmare waiting to happen.
Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys know that California leads the country when it comes to bike accidents. Just from 2010 to 2012, There were almost 350 bicycle collision deaths during these years. And the numbers are on the rise.
Los Angeles, in particular, is a dangerous city for bicyclists. Of all the cities in California, Los Angeles has the greatest number of bike accidents. Part of this is because of the sheer volume of people who ride bikes in L. A. Part is because of the heavy traffic that clogs Los Angeles roads.
Local government thought that if they put bike lanes in place, the number of cyclist accidents would decrease. It didn’t work. There are more bicycle accidents and deaths today than there were in 2012. Los Angeles personal injury attorneys know this. That’s why they work so hard to get bike accident victims justice.
It’s not hard to convince a jury that a car driver was at fault in a bicycle accident. If a bicycle hits a car, it’s not going to cause a lot of damage. However, if a car hits a bicycle, the damage can be total. Sure, there are cases where the bike rider did something to cause the driver to swerve. But, for the most part, proving causation in a bicycle accident isn’t very difficult.
Fighting the Insurance Company
If you’re the victim in a bicycle accident, you’ll need to file a claim against the car driver’s insurance policy. Most of the time, your claim will be paid within a week or two. There are times, however, when the insurance company denies your claim.
Your claim could be denied for any number of reasons, including:
- The policy wasn’t valid at the time of your accident
- The policy had lapsed for non-payment
- They believe you were at fault
- They don’t think your injuries were very serious
- They think you had a pre-existing condition
Your car accident lawyer can file an appeal with the insurance company. Now, there’s nothing he can do if the insurance policy wasn’t valid. There’s no way an insurance company is going to pay a claim on an invalid policy. If they did, they’d go out of business in no time.
For all of the other reasons, however, your lawyer will try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjuster.. If the adjuster refuses to honor your claim, your attorney will have no choice but to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Most lawsuits are still settled out of court. Nobody wants to go to trial. Trials are time-consuming and expensive. The insurance company knows this. They take a risk of having to pay out a lot of money if they lose in court. This is one reason they’re motivated to settle with your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney.
Don’t get discouraged if your attorney has to file suit. Up until the day of court, your bicycle accident lawyer can still negotiate a settlement. They say a lot of cases settle on the courthouse steps. Although it doesn’t literally happen on the steps, it can happen on the eve of trial.
Just know that your bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles is going to work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Kinds of Damages Will Your Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer Demand?
If you’re injured in a bicycle accident, you’ll be entitled to certain damages. Your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney is going to demand that you be paid for these damages. Some of the damages your attorney will claim includes:
Medical Bills
You should be reimbursed for your current and future medical bills. If you are going to need long-term care, your personal injury lawyer will demand that you be compensated for it.
Lost Wages
If you miss time from work, you deserve to be paid for it. This could be time you’ve missed due to the accident. It also can represent income you’re going to lose in the future due to your permanent injuries.
Property Damage
Chances are your bike will get destroyed in your accident. If this is the case, you can demand that you be reimbursed for a new bicycle. It may not sound like a lot, but some bikes cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. There’s no reason the defendant shouldn’t be responsible for replacing it.
Pain and Suffering
If you experience a great deal of pain due to your injuries, you can demand damages. You can also demand that you be compensated for mental and emotional anguish.
A great portion of your lawsuit will be based on pain and suffering. This is because a serious bike accident can cause a lot of physical pain and mental anguish. Depending on how severe your injuries, you could be entitled to a lot in pain and suffering. The court will look at the following factors when determining pain and suffering:
- How bad your physical injuries are
- Whether or not you can still enjoy life as you did before the accident
- can you still do the same activities you did before the accident
- Are you being treated for mental anguish or emotional stress?
- Will your pain be long term?
- Have you endured multiple surgeries to repair your injuries?
Your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney won’t stop until he gets you justice. Although he will try to settle your case, he won’t take some low-ball offer. His goal is to make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Today
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you need to contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles.. Your lawyer will do everything in his power to get you justice. He’ll negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get your claim paid.. If this isn’t a possibility, he’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf.
If you don’t have an attorney, the defendant will try to take advantage of you. They may offer you a low settlement. If they think you’re desperate for the money, they know you may accept it. They may also get you to sign a settlement release. If this happens, you won’t be able to change your mind later. Never sign a settlement release without having a Los Angeles injury law firm review it.
Call 877-721-3423 and schedule your free initial consultation today. You can ask your lawyer any questions you may have. He can also give you an idea of what your case may be worth. If you’re going to encounter any special problems in your case, you and your attorney can discuss them.
The defendant will have lawyers working for him. So should you. Don’t go up against the insurance company yourself. Give yourself the peace of mind of having an experienced bicycle accident attorney by your side.