Bicycle Accidents

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California is a sunny state with thousands of hiking and bicycle trails open year-round. It is the capital of fitness and recreation for its residents, which brings them true joy and a sense of limitless freedom.

Many people enjoying riding the bike roads of Los Angeles, frequently using their bikes to commute to work or run weekly errands. Unfortunately, according to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation provisional data, in the last year alone, 21 cyclists were killed by vehicles on the roads of Los Angeles.
People don’t feel safe on the streets anymore. The common decency and respect between drivers and bike riders is deeply lacking.

If you were involved in a bicycle accident and sustained serious injury, give our office a call as soon as possible for a free consultation. Our attorneys have extensive and superior experience specializing in bicycle accidents. 

With our help, you will be able to recover the monetary damages you deserve because of your injuries. Our goal is to help you move on with your life after your successful recovery.

What is an accident?

A traffic accident is defined as an event that occurs during the movement of a vehicle on a road, in which people are injured or killed as a result of the vehicle’s participation. Additionally, an accident is defined as the movement of a vehicle whose participation and movement has caused the material damage of other vehicles, structures, and property.

Accident causes

Let’s investigate some of the most common accident causes:

  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence
  • Lane splitting
  • Sudden stops
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Left turn accidents
  • Dangerous road conditions
  • Vehicle defects
  • Hazard on the road
  • Weather conditions

Statistics

  • Unfortunately, currently Los Angeles leads large cosmopolitan cities in sustaining the highest rate of traffic accidents resulting in injuries and fatal outcomes in the United States.
  • In 2019 alone, according to the LAPD accident data, there were roughly 54,000 collisions reported, 236 reported deaths. This number is only slightly below accident data from 2018.
  • Compared to the previous 5 years, traffic collision deaths have risen an alarming 32%, rendering pedestrian groups the most vulnerable accident victims
  • LAPD has categorized over 25,300 crashes as hit-and-runs.
  • Over the past few years, pedestrian fatalities rose dramatically by 69%
  • It is important to understand that fleeing the collision scene renders the collision a felony even in the case it which the collision was not the driver’s fault.
  • The main reasons for the dramatic increase in crash incidents were cited as resulting from DUIs and texting

What to do in a bicycle accident?

When you get into an accident, you might be subject to a variety of negative emotions, depending on the severity of the collision. It is important to urgently pull yourself together (if possible) and pursue the following course of action promptly:

1. Move to a safe area right away (if you can)
Move your vehicle / bicycle out of the way in order to avoid creating a scenario in which further harm or damage can be sustained. The road shoulder offers a safe space for you to relocate your vehicle. If your car or vehicle is difficult or impossible to move, due to the circumstances of the collision, it is imperative that you turn on your emergency lights to let other drivers know that you are likely going to be stationed at the site of your collision for an extended period.
2. Stop your car and get out of it
Ensure that your car has come to a complete stop and is no longer moving. This can be done by turning the car off and putting it into park mode or using the hand break if you’re driving a manual. Take a deep breath and look around to make sure your surroundings are safe prior to opening your door and exiting your vehicle. Flares and other safety items may also come in handy in this situation.
3. Check on other people
Walk over to the other parties involved (drivers, passengers, and pedestrians) to make sure they are not hurt. If someone is injured, it is imperative to call 911. A person may be severely injured even if showing no significant external signs o injury other than general dizziness and bruises. It is best to call emergency services to avoid a catastrophic outcome.
4. Report to the police
It is always best to have a police officer arrive to the scene, which will enable you to prove important details in the future when filing the collision claim with the insurance company. Be careful not to immediately admit fault or place the blame on the involved drivers at the scene. It is at the discretion and jurisdiction of the police officer to adequately judge the situation and conclude whose fault it really is. There are cases in which police are not required to arrive at the scene of the accident; this is normally the case when there are no injuries sustained by either party. If you experience this scenario, proceed to simply reporting the accident to your local DMV.
5. Information exchange
Try to gather as much information as possible according to the list below:
  • Name of the driver and the passengers
  • License plate number
  • Insurance information
  • All involved vehicles makes and models
  • Accident location
  • The police officer’s name or badge number
6. Documenting the scene
It is likely that at the time of the accident, you will have access to your smartphone with a functional camera. Use the camera feature on your phone to document the details of the scene by take several pictures of the accident. This will be a resourceful addition to the other claim details.
7. File your insurance claim
All the steps listed above will make the process filing your insurance claim much seamless and stress-free.

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Amerberg Law Group
20061 Saticoy St. #102.
Winnetka, CA 91306

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