Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Bicyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as any other motorist.  

However, it’s surprising how many car and truck drivers refuse to recognize this fact. In many cases, other drivers’ negligent conduct on California roadways causes bicyclists serious injuries and even death.

Bicycle accident personal injury claims.

If you were injured by another motorist while riding your bike, you may have a valid personal injury claim against them. To have a valid personal injury claim, you must prove that you were injured, someone else caused your injuries, and there is a source of financial recovery from the person responsible for your injuries.

Common causes of actionable bike accidents in Los Angeles include:

• Driving while impaired
• Speeding accidents
• Right-turn-on-red bike accidents
• Lane merging bike accidents
• Left crossing bike accidents
• Rear end collision

There are many other ways that a cyclist can be injured on the Los Angeles roadways. To find out if you have a bike accident case, it is best to consult with a Santa Monica personal injury attorney.

Cyclists deserve compensation for their injuries.

Schwimer Weinstein understands the prejudices facing bicycle accident victims. Rather than accept liability for their insured’s negligence, insurance companies often try to blame the bicycle accident victim. They’ll try to claim the bicyclist wasn’t wearing reflective clothing, didn’t have proper lights and reflectors, was too far into the street or was not obeying traffic laws.

At Schwimer Weinstein, we have heard it all before and are not persuaded one bit. California is a comparative law state, which means that each party may recover for the other driver’s proportionate share of fault.

Protections for Los Angeles cyclists.

Many motorists drive aggressively around bicyclists, causing them serious injuries. In the City of Los Angeles, bicyclists have added protection against drivers who harass them. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was once the victim of a bicycle accident at the hands of a taxi driver who cut him off.

In the aftermath of the accident, and to support the City of Los Angeles’ mission to promote green modes of transportation, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance in 2011 entitled “Prohibition Against Harassment of Bicyclists.” The new law is codified as Article 5.10, under Chapter IV of the Los Angeles Municipal Code:

Any person who assaults, threatens, intentionally injures, distracts, or forces a bicyclist off of the road, resulting in injury to a bicyclist is liable for civil fines in the amount of $1,000, attorney’s fees, costs of litigation, and punitive damages, in addition to damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and emotional distress.

Under this law, a bicycle accident does not need to be against a motorist, a pedestrian who attempts to harass a bicyclist is also liable. If you have been in a bicycle accident or the victim of bicyclist harassment, please contact an experienced West Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney at Schwimer Weinstein.

Contact a Los Angeles bicycle attorney.

Getting the help you need to make a full financial recovery after a bicycle accident is just a phone call away. The personal injury attorneys at Schwimer Weinstein have years of experience representing cyclists throughout Southern California, helping them get the compensation they deserve. Win With Us. Contact us today to meet with our attorneys.