A bicycle can be the obvious transport of choice for those who need to commute, and otherwise, travel around Inglewood and its environs, but prefer to do so without adding yet another vehicle to the roads. As well as being environmentally friendly, cycling offers the additional benefit of being an excellent way to keep fit and healthy and is also much more affordable than traveling either by car or by public transit. However, no option is perfect, and cycling’s negative attributes can be catastrophic. Due to the lack of a protective metal frame, should you be struck by a vehicle while cycling you are likely to sustain devastating, or even fatal, injuries?
The Inglewood bicycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg are committed to fighting for the legal rights of accident victims. An attorney with the benefit of 35 years experience of in successfully handling personal injury lawsuits could provide the guidance, support, and legal representation you need while you process the turmoil associated with a severe accident.
The Most Common Injuries Inflicted by Bicycle Accidents
The vulnerability of cyclists involved in a traffic accident can lead to some truly devastating injuries. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in similar circumstances, our bicycle accident lawyers could help you recover the full amount of compensation available to you. When you have lost a loved one in a fatal Inglewood bicycle accident, we could assist you with a wrongful death lawsuit.
Some of the most common types of injury seen after bicycle accidents include:
- Broken or fractured bones, including arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, facial bones, and fractured skulls. Each of these is likely to require a long and painful recovery process, potentially involved rehabilitative physical therapy were particularly severe
- Chest and abdominal injuries, such as road rash and more serious, long-lasting chest and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries are likely to be one of the worst possible outcomes from an Inglewood bicycle accident
- Fatalities, which are far too common when cyclists are struck by negligent or reckless motorists
Did you know that there were 147 cyclist fatalities in California in 2016, with 26 of these occurring within Los Angeles County? So far in 2018, the number of fatal bicycle accidents has already tripled in comparison with previous years.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Negligent and reckless driving is one of the most common causes of all traffic accidents. When it comes to bicycle accidents in specific, some of the common contributing factors across the cases we have successfully handled include:
- Motorists failing to yield the right of way to a cyclist
- Improper left turns without carrying out appropriate observations
- Open doors striking passing cyclists
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Tailgating, and failure to allow cyclists enough space
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving in a manner inappropriate for road or weather conditions
What to do After a Bicycle Accident
Since bicycle accidents can happen instantly, you may be left wondering what to do next. The two most important factors are getting you safe and holding the responsible party liable for their actions. The scene of an accident can be chaotic, and our Inglewood bicycle accident attorney advises you not to take a settlement while at the scene. Instead, it would help if you took all of the following steps to protect your rights.
Call The Police
After an accident, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities. You will need to remain at the scene, especially if there was property damage or you have been injured. Even if you feel fine, you will need to wait until the police arrive so that they can document the accident.
Do Not Negotiate With an Insurance Adjuster or the Driver
Always keep everything official and do not negotiate with anyone at the scene. It would help if you let your Inglewood bicycle accident attorney do all of the negotiating with the negligent party’s insurance company. Negotiating at the scene can cost you not only your chances at compensation but also your health and well-being.
Get The Driver’s Information
The most critical thing in obtaining compensation is getting the driver’s information. You will need their driver’s license number and insurance policy number at a minimum to file a claim.
Document Everything Related to The Crash
It is crucial to document the scene so that your attorney can build a strong case from the beginning. If you can take photos and videos of the scene. You should also write down a first-hand account of what occurred, as your memory can fade with time. If there are any witnesses, get their information as well.
Obtain a Police Report
Once a police report has been filed, you will need to obtain a copy for your records and build your case.
Preserve The Evidence
If your property was damaged, you mustn’t dispose of it. The same goes for your clothing and any other items you had on your person. Take photographs of all of these items as well as this can come in handy down the line.
Seek Medical Attention
Above all else, you will need to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, it is essential to draw a direct correlation between the accident and your injuries, no matter how small you may think they are.
Contact an Inglewood Bicycle Accident Attorney
Lastly, you will need to contact an Inglewood bicycle accident attorney to discuss your case. We will fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to after an accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
As with most personal injury cases, you will have two years from the accident date to file a claim. The statute of limitations is strict, and if you do not move quickly, you may lose your opportunity to obtain compensation. We will conduct a full investigation and build a solid case to focus on recovering.
Free Initial Consultation with a Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in any type of Inglewood bicycle accident, you deserve nothing less than outstanding legal representation. To schedule your free initial consultation, call us today at 310-997-0904.
