Bicycle commuting and recreational riding have become increasingly popular in Los Angeles County. People are frequently opting to ride their bikes instead of driving, and many cities are adapting with additional bike lanes and attempts to improve bicycle safety and awareness.

While there are a growing number of cyclists on the road, the potential for bicycle accidents and motor vehicle collisions has increased. Los Angeles residents know that an aggressive or distracted driver can cause a severe traffic collision, and bicyclists often sustain severe or even fatal injuries.

In 2014, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported over 2,200 fatal and non-fatal bike-related accidents in Los Angeles County.

These accidents can result in severe and potentially catastrophic injuries for everyone involved. This is true primarily because cyclists are directly exposed to their surroundings, with no additional protection.

When a motor vehicle negligently collides with a bicycle, it often causes the bicyclist to flip, fall off the bike, and make direct contact with the ground, bringing about potentially devastating consequences, such as broken bones, severe abrasions, concussions, internal bleeding, herniated discs, fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBI's), paralysis, or spinal cord injuries.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Collisions

Motor vehicle operators are almost always at fault for colliding with bicycles. All too often, Los Angeles drivers fail to recognize or appreciate bicycle operators on the road and do not allow sufficient room for them on the roadway.

The motor vehicle operator is often unaware of the rules regarding bicycles on the road or has little experience interacting and sharing the road safely with cyclists.

Other common causes of motor vehicle-bicycle collisions involve speeding, negligent or reckless driving, unsafe turn, failure to yield, alcohol-impaired driving, and distracted driving (e.g., cellular phone use or texting while driving).

While a slight distraction can seem insignificant to a motor vehicle driver, the result can be catastrophic when colliding with a cyclist. Even non-fatal injuries often require immediate medical attention and result in escalating treatment costs.

If you have sustained injuries in a Los Angeles bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries.

It is essential to understand your legal rights and responsibilities in this situation. Our personal injury attorneys may be able to help you obtain the monetary compensation you are entitled to under the law.

We will need to closely examine all the specific details of the accident to determine your legal options.

Duty of Reasonable Care

Under California law, motor vehicle drivers owe a duty of reasonable care to other drivers and cyclists on the road.

This means that a driver must act in a manner that is reasonably prudent under the circumstances. When drivers breach this duty of care and accidents, injuries, and damages result, they can be held civilly (and sometimes criminally) liable for their actions or inactions.  

About cyclists and bicycle accidents specifically, California motor vehicle drivers must avoid the following:

• Interfering with or obstructing the movement of bicycles and cyclists
• Encroaching into a marked bicycle lane
• Overtaking or passing a bicyclist

Motor vehicle drivers must also be aware and do the following:

• Yield the right of way to cyclists
• Exercise due care to avoid colliding with bicycles and cyclists
• Provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle

Disputed Liability Claims

In bicycle accident cases, insurance companies will often dispute liability by alleging that the cyclist was fully or partially responsible for the accident, as well as for their injuries and damages.

Therefore, cyclists should follow the state of California Department of Motor Vehicles “Sharing the Road” recommendations and be sure to do the following:

• Obey all traffic signs, signals, and traffic control devices (including traffic lights)
• Wear a helmet
• Ensure that their bicycles are equipped with blinking lights and reflectors for dusk or nighttime operation
• Ride with the traffic and not against the traffic
• Ensure that their bicycles are equipped with fully functioning, operating brake systems (both front and back) and that these brake systems are correctly maintained
• Operate their bicycles in a bike lane when one is available
• Use the appropriate hand and arm warning signals when making turns, stopping, or slowing down

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

Even the most experienced cyclist can become involved in a severe vehicle collision. Seeking immediate medical treatment after a bicycle crash is your top priority, even if you don't believe you sustained any serious injuries. In many cases, significant injuries seem minor at first.

If you or a family member has been injured while riding, the following steps will help you better handle your bicycle accident and any resulting legal claim:

• Call the police – immediately after a bicycle accident, call the police to the scene. Police will identify the parties involved in the accident and write up a report. During this time, please take pictures of any evidence you believe might be essential before it is removed. Make sure to cooperate with the police as they investigate the accident. Ask for copies of all the investigative reports written by police officers. You can typically obtain copies by making a trip down to the police station that investigated the accident.
• Get names and contact information of witnesses – If possible, you must attempt to get the names and contact information for all witnesses who saw what happened. Please write down the information as this will make it easier for your bicycle accident attorney to locate them and get their statements later during the investigation.
• Consult with a bicycle accident lawyer – Since bicycles can travel at a high rate of speed and many bike crashes involve a motor vehicle, the potential for severe injuries after a collision is high. This means it's essential to be represented by an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to get all the compensation you deserve. It would help if you allowed your injury lawyer to handle all discussions with insurance companies and investigators.

Contact an Injury Lawyer for a Consultation

Bicycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, usually caused by negligent drivers.

Attempting to negotiate with an insurance company on your own is not a good idea, especially if you have sustained a severe injury.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident – and especially if an insurance company is disputing or denying liability in your case – you need experienced legal counsel on your side every step of the way. When you get help from a skilled bicycle accident attorney, you are more likely to recover higher compensation than you could obtain on your own.

Insurance companies are primarily motivated to cut costs involved with settling a claim. They will often try to deny claims outright or reduce the amounts to minimize their losses.

A lawyer is better positioned to investigate your case, prove liability and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with an injury lawyer, please call our law firm at 310-734-7974.