Irvine Bike Accident Lawyer

With over 28 million registered vehicles competing for space on crowded roads, California is a daunting place for anyone on two wheels. The state is a nationwide leader in bike-accident injuries and fatalities. In addition, electric bikes have become more popular, leading to potentially more serious injuries for users.

From neighborhood kids on their bikes to recreational cyclists, California roadways present a variety of personal safety hazards. If you are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, or you have suffered an injury because of poor road conditions, rely on an experienced Irvine bike accident attorney who knows Irvine’s cycling and traffic laws to protect your rights and get you the settlement you deserve. To learn more and begin filing your claim, consult with an injury lawyer in Irvine today.

Knowing California Bike Laws

California Vehicle Code 21200 governs bicycles on the public roadways. The law states that a cyclist has the same rights and obligations as other vehicles using the roads. When a bike is moving at the speed of traffic, it may travel anywhere in the lane. If a bicycle is moving more slowly than vehicular traffic, the cyclist should stay as far to the right as is safe and practical. However, the cyclist can move into the lane to avoid hazards at the roadside and to make a left turn.

California’s bike laws are ever-changing and complex. A bike accident can leave you with serious injuries and a long recovery, not to mention a devastating impact on your finances. Consulting an Irvine cycling accident attorney soon after an accident could help you limit your losses and enhance your chances of securing appropriate compensation.

Time Limits to File a Claim

Many people are unaware that California has a statute of limitations on these types of incidents. If you suffer any injuries or loss, you only have two years to file a lawsuit for damages.

You have even less time if the state of California, Orange County, or the City of Irvine are defendants in the case. A unit of government could have responsibility for a bicycle accident if a public employee or government-owned vehicle was involved in the accident, or if road maintenance was a causal factor. When a government entity is potentially liable, an injured cyclist must file a notice of claim within six months of their injury, or lose their right to sue that defendant.

This is why it is imperative that you retain a knowledgeable bike accident lawyer in Irvine to inform you of all your options, handle all of the necessary legal filings in accordance with existing law, and help get you the settlement that you deserve.

Determining Fault in a Bicycle Accident

After an accident, motorists may try to avoid responsibility because of the fallacy that bikes have no right of way. Under California law, a cyclist may have the same right of way as a motor vehicle. An at-fault driver will deny culpability, try to shift the blame, or minimize the severity of an accident if you have no visible injuries.

Should Victims Speak to Insurance Adjusters?

After you have been the victim of an accident, do not be railroaded by a motorist’s attorney or insurance adjuster. Trust a legal professional who knows a rider’s rights and who will not let a bad driver turn the tables on you.

Insurance adjusters might appear to be helpful but they are mainly concerned with helping their employer by limiting any payout. Anything that an accident victim says could be misconstrued or misinterpreted to favor an insurer. They should politely decline to speak with an adjuster and refer that person to an Irvine accident attorney.

Steps to Take After a Bike Accident

  • Seek medical attention.
  • Call 911 and report the accident.
  • Do not leave the scene.
  • Exchange information.
  • Follow-up with an experienced Irvine bike accident attorney.

After a bike accident, do everything you would do if you were in an automobile accident. Beware the motorist attempting to avoid litigation or insurance increases. Do not accept cash. Do not make any admissions. Do not give an irritated driver any reason to point a finger at you.

Medical Records as Important Evidence

Seeking immediate medical attention after a crash is a critical step, even if you believe you are not severely injured. The adrenaline rush after an accident could mask the pain of an injury. In addition, many impact-related injuries do not become apparent for hours or even days after the incident. A failure to get prompt care could exacerbate an injury.

An injured cyclist who can produce a medical record that is generated within a few hours of an accident has persuasive evidence of their injury and its cause. Insurance companies could use any delay in seeking medical care to assert that an injury is unrelated to a bicycle accident and deny a claim for damages.

What is the Role of Authorities at the Scene?

Let the authorities determine fault and issue summons and then have a bike-law knowledgeable attorney conduct an accurate investigation of the accident. From eye-witness accounts to accident reconstruction, the right lawyer on your side can make the difference in your post-accident experience and recovery.

Learn the Benefits of an Irvine Bike Accident Attorney

An attorney could help a cyclist calculate their damages even as insurance adjusters offer an amount that is far less than they could legitimately claim as damages. Virtually any expense or loss incurred as a result of the accident could be part of a claim for damages. For example, most cyclists know that medical costs and lost wages are part of an accident victim’s damages. But many do not know that their damages claim could include transportation expenses, the cost of hiring someone to perform household tasks, property damage to their bike, clothing, and any other items they had with them when they crashed, and other incidental expenses.

Cyclists also are entitled to damages for their non-economic losses, such as inconvenience, embarrassment, physical pain, disfigurement, emotional anguish, and lost enjoyment of life.

If you are the victim of a motorist’s negligence or involved in any kind of bike accident, trust the right lawyer with bike law experience. An Irvine bike accident lawyer will guide you through the legal process and represent your best interests in out-of-court settlements or during a civil trial for damages. Call now for a consultation.