LOS ANGELES BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

With beautiful weather year round In Los Angeles, biking is a popular activity, when opting to enjoy the outdoors. However, for those who are unfamiliar with the streets of Los Angeles, it is important to take extra caution when biking in Los Angeles, because of the inherent dangers associated with the sport. In Los Angeles, cycling can be especially dangerous due to high motor vehicle traffic and inadequate bike lanes and shoulders. Even when these spaces are present, many drivers simply don’t pay attention to them. When a cyclist is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, they can suffer serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injury, even if they are wearing the appropriate safety gear. Not all bicycle accidents are the fault of the automobile driver; some are due to the cyclist’s carelessness, which is why the Southern California personal injury attorneys at the Los Angeles Law Office of Vahdat & Aboudi urge all cyclists to obey California bicycle laws. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bicycle-vehicle accident, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney to make sure the responsible party is held accountable.

BICYCLE LAWS IN CALIFORNIA

California Vehicle Code VC 21201 details the state’s bicycle requirements, which include:

• Functional brakes – It is illegal (and dangerous) to ride a bike with faulty brakes.
• Handlebars must be appropriately sized for the rider, and not above the rider’s shoulder height.

There are additional requirements for riding when it is dark outside:

• Bikes must be equipped with a lamp or headlight that can be seen from 300 feet to the front or either side of the bicycle.
• The rear of the bike must be equipped with a red reflector that can be seen from at least 500 feet away.
• The bike pedals must be equipped with white or yellow reflectors.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

In California, the victim of a bicycle accident has two years to file a lawsuit for damages (known as the statutory period). If you do not file your claim within this timeframe, a judge may bar your claim. Certain exemptions apply if the victim was rendered incapable of filing a claim or suffers from mental incompetence (especially if they become incompetent due to the injuries sustained in the accident).

In addition, you may also receive an extension on the statutory period if you did not appear to have any injuries at the time of the accident but later discovered that you did have injuries that were due to the accident.

If you have any questions about your accident or your potential claim, a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney at Vahdat & Aboudi can help you determine whether or when to file your claim. Consulting with one of our attorneys as soon as possible will ensure that you file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Let our Los Angeles personal injury law firm advocate on your behalf and hold those at fault accountable.

DETERMINING FAULT IN LOS ANGELES BIKE ACCIDENTS

In some states, the driver is always at fault in a car-bicycle accident. In California, this is not the case; the fault lies with the negligent party, and that party is responsible for all of the damages. Under California law, negligence is defined as “failing to act in a manner expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under similar circumstances.”

To prove the driver was acting negligently, the crash must have caused property damage or personal injury. It must also be proved that the driver acted carelessly and that their carelessness directly resulted in the crash.

If both parties are at fault in an accident, the state of California uses what is known as a Pure Comparative Negligence Model. So, for instance, if one party is 25% at fault and the other party is 75% at fault, the former party is entitled to 75% of the damages, but they are accountable for 25% of the total damages.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, call our Los Angeles PI Attorney office toll free today at 1-800-BUT-4-LAW for a confidential, free, case evaluation with our West Coast bicycle accident attorneys. Serving the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas, our expert personal injury attorneys are dedicated to your personal injury case, and committed to ensuring you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to. Do not hesitate to contact our Los Angeles accident injury lawyers today!