Fountain Valley Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle Accident Attorney in Fountain Valley, CA
Driving, walking, and riding a bicycle are all common forms of transportation throughout Southern California. You’ll find numerous popular bikeways stretching across Fountain Valley, from Mile Square Regional Park to Brookhurst Street and the routes around Warner and Magnolia Avenues. When motorists don’t drive with due care, serious bicycle accidents can happen. A Fountain Valley bicycle accident lawyer can help you know your legal rights.
Compassionate and Effective Advocacy
At Bentley & More LLP, we care about the injuries our clients suffer, but we also care about the impacts those injuries have on your life. We know firsthand how an injury can impact your career, your passions, your finances, and even your family relationships.
The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP strive to understand how an injury changes our clients’ lives rather than treating each case as just another file on their desk. We care about our clients and handle each matter personally so that we can help you seek meaningful recoveries that allow you to focus on your long-term recovery.
Why Bicycle Accidents Can Be Serious
Like drivers of motor vehicles, bicyclists generally have the full rights and responsibilities of the road. Bicyclists are allowed to use public roads, and in many situations drivers must share the road with cyclists. However, cyclists do not have the same protections as passengers inside a vehicle. When accidents happen, bicyclists can suffer serious injuries even at low speeds.
Some bicycle accidents are caused by drivers who don’t see bikes on the road. Many collisions happen at intersections, parking lot entrances, and other areas where bikes and cars commonly travel. Anytime bikes and cars come into close contact, there is potential for a collision. Bicycle accident injuries can include:
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Face and dental injuries
Sometimes these injuries can cause permanent damage. In 2023, 1,106 people were fatally injured by vehicles, down nearly 9% from 2022 but up 56% from 2014. In addition, 145 bikers suffered fatal injuries on California highways in 2023.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Many bicycle accidents happen when drivers don’t see bicycles or don’t know how to safely pass bikes on the road. Drivers are aware of larger vehicles passing them, but they may forget to look for bikers. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Failing to check blind spots
- Failing to yield
- Driving distracted
- Opening a door in a bike lane
- Reckless driving
Bicyclists and drivers often compete for the same space along the roadside at intersections. Crossings along Brookhurst Street, Euclid Street, and Talbert Avenue can be especially dangerous throughout Fountain Valley.
The Importance of Visibility and Safety Equipment
Visibility can be a major factor in many bicycle accidents. California law requires bicycles to be equipped with certain lighting and visibility gear when ridden at night. However, just because a cyclist wasn’t easily seen or didn’t have the necessary safety gear doesn’t automatically mean they’re to blame for a crash. All motorists have to drive with due care.
Insurance companies often argue that the bicyclist was responsible for the accident because they didn’t follow traffic laws, were riding against traffic, or otherwise riding unsafely. California follows the rules of comparative negligence, which means the fault can be split between two or more parties if necessary.
If a driver fails to yield, but the cyclist was riding too fast, both parties may be at fault. Comparative negligence can greatly reduce your compensation if you are found to be partly at fault. That’s why it’s important to investigate your claim with the help of a Fountain Valley bicycle accident attorney.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Due to the complexities that bicycle accidents can present, insurance companies often scrutinize a cyclist’s behavior leading up to an accident. Handling a bike accident case involves a unique set of considerations, such as addressing injuries to riders who weren’t wearing helmets and clarifying how the cyclist was positioned or moving when the collision happened.
Because of this, it is highly recommended that you hire a bicycle accident lawyer who understands bicycle accident laws and can investigate your claim and help protect your rights.
FAQs
Who Is at Fault if a Car Hits a Bicycle?
Who is at fault if a car hits a bicycle depends on the circumstances of the case. Most car/bicycle accidents are the driver’s fault when they fail to yield the right of way, turn into traffic illegally, change lanes unsafely, or are otherwise distracted. However, bicyclists are required to follow traffic laws as well. California follows a comparative negligence rule so there can be more than one at-fault party. Liability is based on the facts of each accident.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, especially if you are experiencing severe injuries. Be sure to contact law enforcement and inform them of the accident. Gather the driver’s contact information as well as their name and insurance information. If you do not experience physical symptoms right away, still contact a medical professional as some injuries don’t show up until later.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Bicycle Accident?
Accident injury claims can range from low back injuries that make a full recovery in weeks to permanently disabling injuries that impact your ability to work and lead your normal life. There is really no way to say how much your accident claim is worth because every accident is different and every injury is unique. Bicycle accidents can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars depending on the injuries incurred by the cyclist.
Who Is at Fault When a Cyclist Gets Doored?
In many cases, the person opening the door is at fault because California law states that drivers and passengers have a duty to see that it is reasonably safe before opening the vehicle door into traffic. However, each accident has different facts and depends on how and where the cyclist was riding at the time of the collision.
Contact Our Legal Team
Bentley & More LLP has experience handling personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. We can advocate for the compensation you deserve while you recover. Contact us immediately for assistance.
Client Testimonials
“I can’t thank Bentley & More enough, especially Steve. After my dad’s passing in a car accident, they secured a settlement we are so grateful for. From the start, they made sure we were taken care of, handling everything so we didn’t have to worry. Steve went above and beyond, always there when we needed support, and it was such a relief knowing we were in good hands. If you’re looking for a firm that truly cares, Bentley & More is the one. Highly recommend them!” – Kevin Jimenez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bentley & More LLP Office
Address: 4931 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 870-3800
ES