Riding a bicycle in Los Angeles County can be both exhilarating and daunting. The scenic routes along the coast and dynamic city streets offer a unique way to experience the area. However, with the rise in cycling popularity comes an increase in accidents.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, having a supportive and knowledgeable legal team on your side is crucial. According to an NHTSA study from 2021, 92% of bicycle accident fatalities in the United States involved a passenger car, making legal guidance essential for victims.
At Benji Personal Injury, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a bicycle accident can take. Our commitment to client well-being sets us apart. We provide personalized attention to every case, ensuring each client receives the support they need during this challenging time.
Our team is dedicated to fighting for maximum compensation, helping you confidently handle an accident’s aftermath.
Daniel Benji, the leading attorney at Benji Personal Injury, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to every case. With a solid educational background and proven success, Daniel is committed to advocating for the rights of accident victims.
His compassionate approach and tenacious pursuit of justice ensure clients feel supported and understood throughout the legal process.
Our firm offers comprehensive legal assistance in various aspects of bicycle accident claims, including:
- Incidents involving collisions with vehicles
- Accidents caused by road hazards or defects
- “Dooring” accidents, when a parked car’s door is opened into the path of an oncoming cyclist, often leading to serious injuries.
- Recovering lost wages due to injuries
- Assistance with medical bills and ongoing treatment costs
- Property damage repairs
- Emotional and psychological recovery support
- Dealing with insurance companies
- Ensuring fair compensation for pain and suffering
- Legal representation in court, if necessary
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and get medical help immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
- Report the Accident: Contact local law enforcement to file an official report.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident, including your bicycle, injuries, and any involved vehicles.
- Gather Witness Information: Collect contact details from any witnesses.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep all damaged equipment and clothing.
- Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to your doctor’s recommendations for treatment and follow-up.
- Understand California Bicycle Laws: Be aware of laws like the “right of lane” that protect cyclists. Refer to California Bicycle Laws for more details.
- Notify Your Insurance: Inform your insurance company about the accident.
- Keep a Journal: Document your injuries, treatments, and recovery progress.
- Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: Contact a Lawyer as soon as possible for legal guidance.
California’s statute of limitations for filing a bicycle accident claim is generally two years from the accident date. This period is crucial for personal injury claims, ensuring that legal action is initiated within this timeframe to secure compensation for injuries sustained.
However, there are exceptions:
- Claims Against Government Entities: If your accident case involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, you must file a claim within six months of the accident. After submitting this initial claim, you typically have six months to file a lawsuit if the claim is denied.
- Minors: If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations does not start until the minor turns 18. Therefore, the two-year period begins on their 18th birthday, and they are given until they are 20 to file a claim.
- Discovery Rule: In some cases, injuries or their cause might not be immediately apparent. The discovery rule allows the statute of limitations to begin from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Failing to file a claim within these deadlines can result in losing the right to pursue legal action and recover damages. It’s essential to consult an attorney promptly to ensure all legal timelines are met and your case is handled with the attention it deserves.
To build a strong case, it’s essential to gather comprehensive evidence:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Photographs of the scene and accident injuries
- Witness statements
- Maintenance records of your bicycle
- Surveillance footage (if available)
- Insurance correspondence
- Receipts for repairs or medical expenses
- Personal injury journal
- Expert testimonies
Collecting this evidence can be overwhelming, especially while recovering. Let Benji Personal Injury take on this burden, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the details. Contact us today to assist in gathering the necessary evidence for your claim.
At Benji Personal Injury, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. This model ensures that legal representation is accessible without upfront costs, aligning our success with your recovery.
What sets Benji Personal Injury apart is our unwavering commitment to client care and our deep understanding of bicycle accident victims’ unique challenges. Our personalized approach, coupled with a thorough knowledge of California’s legal landscape, ensures that you receive the best possible representation. We are dedicated to maximizing your compensation and supporting you through your bicycle accident case.
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are common in Los Angeles County. Understanding their causes and consequences can help prevent and recover from them.
Motorists often make critical errors that lead to bicycle accidents, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities. Some common mistakes include:
- Failure to Yield: Drivers frequently fail to yield the right of way to bicyclists at intersections or when turning, leading to collisions.
- Distracted Driving: Using mobile phones or other distractions can cause motorists to overlook cyclists sharing the road.
- Opening Car Doors Without Checking: “Dooring” occurs when drivers or passengers open their car doors without checking for approaching cyclists, causing the cyclist to crash into the door.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the reaction time of drivers and increases the severity of accidents involving cyclists.
- Ignoring Bike Lanes: Motorists sometimes encroach on designated bike lanes, forcing cyclists into dangerous traffic situations.
- Drunk Driving: Alcohol impairment significantly diminishes a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, increasing the risk of hitting cyclists.
- Improper Lane Changes: Failing to check blind spots or signaling improperly can lead to collisions with cyclists.
- Running Red Lights: Motorists who run red lights or stop signs put cyclists who are legally crossing intersections at risk.
- Tailgating: Following cyclists too closely can lead to rear-end collisions, especially if the cyclist needs to stop suddenly.
- Aggressive Driving: Hostile behaviors like road rage or reckless driving create hazardous conditions for bicyclists.
California has specific laws in place to ensure the safety of cyclists on the road. Adhering to these regulations is essential for both cyclists and motorists.
In California, all cyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. This law also applies to passengers, including those in a restraining seat or trailer towed by the bicycle. Helmets must meet safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
California law allows cyclists to ride in the center of a lane when it is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side. Cyclists may also use the full lane when overtaking another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or avoiding hazards.
Additionally, cyclists must ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway as practicable, except under specific conditions such as those mentioned above. Detailed information can be found in the California Vehicle Code Section 21202.
California law mandates that bicycles must be equipped with certain safety features:
- A front white light, visible from 300 feet if riding after dark.
- A rear red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector visible from 500 feet.
- White or yellow reflectors on each pedal, visible from 200 feet.
- Reflectors on both sides of the bicycle or reflectorized tires.
These equipment requirements are designed to enhance cyclists’ visibility and safety, particularly in low-light conditions. For more information, refer to California Vehicle Code Section 21201.
When a bike lane is present, cyclists are required to use it, except when making a left turn, passing another cyclist or pedestrian, avoiding hazardous conditions, or when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
Motorists are prohibited from driving in a bicycle lane except for parking where permitted, entering or leaving the roadway, or preparing for a turn within 200 feet of an intersection.
At Benji Personal Injury, we provide many services to support accident victims. Our expertise extends beyond bicycle accidents, ensuring comprehensive legal assistance.
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Contact Benji Bicycle Accident for a FREE consultation and learn how we can help your legal challenges.
Benji Personal Injury extends its services throughout the state of California, ensuring that no matter where you are, expert legal help is available.
- Burbank
- Miracle Mile
- Anaheim
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle crash in Los Angeles County, don’t hesitate to reach out to Benji Personal Injury. Our dedicated team is ready to support bicycle accident victims with the legal expertise they need to secure the compensation they deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards recovery.
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