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Who is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident, and So Much More

Every year in the United States, there are hundreds of fatalities for bicycle riders, who share the roadways with cars. Cycling is actually known to be a relatively dangerous activity, with 630 fatalities and 51,000 injuries happening in 2009 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A spokeswoman for the NHTSA commented on these accidents and said that “Fault is difficult to determine.” However, in most accidents, cars are deemed the likely culprit, as they’re bigger, more powerful, and put bicyclists in a situation where they are unable to help themselves. So what do you do when you have been injured in a bike-related accident and need help because of your serious injuries?

First Things First: When an Accident Occurs

Bike Accident LawyerWhen an accident occurs, there are some things that you should know. First of all, there are two types of bicycle accidents that happen more frequently than others. They include the following:

  • The left-hand turn, where a vehicle turns directly into the path of a bicyclist who is headed in the opposite direction, and they are rarely seen until it is too late
  • A right hook accident, where a vehicle passes a cyclist and then makes an immediate right turn in front of the cyclist

No matter what, if you are somebody who has been injured in a cycling accident, you should always call the police. The reason for this? The police report will show information that is gathered on the scene. This means that the story won’t change down the line based on evidence that comes out. It is also important for you to obtain the vehicle driver’s insurance info, address, phone number, and all other contact information. You should do the same for the witnesses on the scene. You never want to admit fault, which could minimize your injuries later on down the road.

Was it Negligence?

The next thing you have to ask is this: Did negligence play a role in your case? Collisions that take place between bicycles and cars usually turn into issues of negligence, which is present in almost every type of personal injury case. Proving negligence usually turns to eyewitness testimony, police reports, and many other types of evidence. Drivers and bicyclists can both be negligent in certain cases for a variety of reasons, from running a stop sign or traffic light to speeding. It is not uncommon for a vehicle driver to claim that a bicyclist is partially at fault. California is a comparative negligence case that means that any compensation that you, the bicyclist, will receive will likely be reduced by an amount that is equal to your fault. This means that if you were supposed to have $50,000 in damages but you were 20% responsible for the accident, the damages would then be $40,000.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may have questions for us. These accidents can be extremely serious, with a variety of damages available to you when another party was at fault. Call us at the Los Angeles Injury Group for more information on how we can help you with your case. We are waiting to hear from you at 310-954-7248.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/05/20/136462246/when-bikes-and-cars-collide-whos-more-likely-to-be-at-fault

https://www.active.com/cycling/articles/how-to-handle-a-bike-accident-with-a-vehicle

https://www.losangelesinjurygroup.com/practice-areas/accident/

 

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Note: This post has been derived from the use of secondary sources and the information provided has not been independently confirmed. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident. Any inaccuracies will be swiftly corrected once they have been brought to the site’s attention and all requests to remove posts will be honored.

Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide general information to our readers and to honor the victims of everyday tragedies. We do not wish to cause any disrespect and none of the information contained in this post should be construed to constitute legal or medical advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and cases often turn on minor differences in fact. Do not rely exclusively on any of the information contained in this post and seek further assistance from a legal or medical professional, where necessary.

fast settlements / speak to a lawyer today / free phone consultation

Who is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident, and So Much More

Every year in the United States, there are hundreds of fatalities for bicycle riders, who share the roadways with cars. Cycling is actually known to be a relatively dangerous activity, with 630 fatalities and 51,000 injuries happening in 2009 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A spokeswoman for the NHTSA commented on these accidents and said that “Fault is difficult to determine.” However, in most accidents, cars are deemed the likely culprit, as they’re bigger, more powerful, and put bicyclists in a situation where they are unable to help themselves. So what do you do when you have been injured in a bike-related accident and need help because of your serious injuries?

First Things First: When an Accident Occurs

Bike Accident LawyerWhen an accident occurs, there are some things that you should know. First of all, there are two types of bicycle accidents that happen more frequently than others. They include the following:

  • The left-hand turn, where a vehicle turns directly into the path of a bicyclist who is headed in the opposite direction, and they are rarely seen until it is too late
  • A right hook accident, where a vehicle passes a cyclist and then makes an immediate right turn in front of the cyclist

No matter what, if you are somebody who has been injured in a cycling accident, you should always call the police. The reason for this? The police report will show information that is gathered on the scene. This means that the story won’t change down the line based on evidence that comes out. It is also important for you to obtain the vehicle driver’s insurance info, address, phone number, and all other contact information. You should do the same for the witnesses on the scene. You never want to admit fault, which could minimize your injuries later on down the road.

Was it Negligence?

The next thing you have to ask is this: Did negligence play a role in your case? Collisions that take place between bicycles and cars usually turn into issues of negligence, which is present in almost every type of personal injury case. Proving negligence usually turns to eyewitness testimony, police reports, and many other types of evidence. Drivers and bicyclists can both be negligent in certain cases for a variety of reasons, from running a stop sign or traffic light to speeding. It is not uncommon for a vehicle driver to claim that a bicyclist is partially at fault. California is a comparative negligence case that means that any compensation that you, the bicyclist, will receive will likely be reduced by an amount that is equal to your fault. This means that if you were supposed to have $50,000 in damages but you were 20% responsible for the accident, the damages would then be $40,000.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may have questions for us. These accidents can be extremely serious, with a variety of damages available to you when another party was at fault. Call us at the Los Angeles Injury Group for more information on how we can help you with your case. We are waiting to hear from you at 310-954-7248.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/05/20/136462246/when-bikes-and-cars-collide-whos-more-likely-to-be-at-fault

https://www.active.com/cycling/articles/how-to-handle-a-bike-accident-with-a-vehicle

https://www.losangelesinjurygroup.com/practice-areas/accident/

 

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    Note for the readers: This post has been derived from the use of secondary sources and the information provided has not been independently confirmed. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident.  Any inaccuracies will be swiftly corrected once they have been brought to the site’s attention and all requests to remove posts will be honored.

    Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide general information to our readers and to honor the victims of everyday tragedies. We do not wish to cause any disrespect and none of the information contained in this post should be construed to constitute legal or medical advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and cases often turn on minor differences In fact. Do not rely exclusively on any of the information contained in this post and seek further assistance from a legal or medical professional, where necessary.

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