A Car Badly Hit Me While Riding My Bike. What are My Options?

In California, bicycle crashes occur because of hazardous road conditions, irresponsible pedestrians, and most of all, incautious drivers. The law allows the bike accident victim to file a claim against the liable party (defendant) who caused harm and injury to the victim (plaintiff).

If you or a loved one was hit by a car or any vehicle while riding a bike, your best option is to contact Big Ben Lawyers’ LA bike injury lawyers to protect your rights. Moreover, you’ll know if you need to file a case. In case the bike accident caused the victim’s death, the surviving family should file a lawsuit against the defendant and seek damages.

LA bike injury lawyers

What Should You Do After Getting Hit by a Car?

The first thing that you’ll do after a bike accident is to seek immediate medical attention even if you think you only suffer minor injuries, such as cuts or scratches. You’ll never know if there are other underlying injuries, such as internal bleeding or ruptured organs. 

Most bicycle accident injuries include neck, head, or back trauma, which needs a doctor’s evaluation. You may feel alright after the accident but may find yourself the next day in excruciating pain. Seeking medical attention prevents any injuries from getting more severe. Besides, medical records are one of the requirements you need to present should you file a lawsuit against the defendant.

It’s also crucial that you get as much information as you can if possible. These include:

  • Driver’s contact information, including name, phone number, home address, or email address
  • Vehicle’s license plate number
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Vehicle’s license plate number
  • Driver’s insurance information
  • Witnesses’ contact information 
  • Vehicle’s year, make, model, and color 

Don’t forget to prioritize your own safety. If the at-fault driver is debilitated, not cooperating, or trying to walk out of the accident area, call the authorities instead. Moreover, it’s best if you can take pictures of your injury, your wrecked bike, or footage of the accident scene. 

Most importantly, don’t take the blame. Usually, people apologize after an accident even if they didn’t do anything wrong. The liable party can use your words against you and blame you for the whole thing. If the driver wants you to admit fault, tell him to talk to your lawyer.  

Don’t admit fault because you don’t know for sure what had caused the accident. The driver who crashed on you might have been intoxicated, speeding, or distracted while driving. Let a bicycle accident injury Los Angeles lawyer analyze your case and protect your rights at the same time.

LA Bike Injury Lawyers: What Causes Bike Accidents in California?

It’s difficult to foresee the actions or behaviors of most vehicle drivers and cyclists on the road. There are several factors that cause bike accidents in California. Here are a few of them:

Vehicles Slipping Into Bicycle Lanes

California designated bicycle lanes for cyclists to keep them safe from other vehicles. However, there are incidents when other vehicles slip into the bicycle lane and collide with the cyclists.  

Distracted Driver

A distracted driver can easily cause bicycle accidents. If the driver isn’t paying attention to the road and keeps on texting, he may not be aware that he’s already slipping into the bicycle lane. Another example is a driver who doesn’t pay attention when he leaves a parking space. He may hit a passing cyclist from the back of his car.  

Opening Car Doors

Otherwise known as “dooring,” opening car doors without looking first can get cyclists slamming into the doors. Another scenario is that cyclists may deviate to the nearby traffic to prevent banging on the car doors, which could lead to more serious injuries. 

Pedestrians

Believe it or not, there are cases when pedestrians knock over cyclists. When both collide with each other, it’s not always the cyclist’s fault. A pedestrian could cross the road without looking sideways while the cyclist is riding on the designated bike lane. 

Hit-and-Run Incidents

There are incidents when vehicles hit a cyclist and just ran off as if nothing has happened. In a case such as this, the victim may find it difficult to file a claim, especially if he wasn’t able to get the plate number of the car. 

Protect Your Rights. Schedule a Free Consultation with Big Ben Lawyers Today.

Big Ben Lawyers will always protect your rights and maximize the compensation that you must receive. Our LA bike injury attorneys are passionate about what they do and work harder to ensure that we establish a strong case against the liable party. 

We have an interest and background in Medicine. Our several years of giving excellent service to the victims and their families make us one of the most sought-after personal injury law firms in California.   

If you need help, Big Ben Lawyers is just a phone call away. We work on a contingency fee basis so we can serve you better. Focus on your fast recovery while we handle the case for you. Contact us at (818) 423-4878 and schedule a free consultation today.

Big Ben Lawyers
144 N Glendale Ave.
Suite 250
Glendale, CA 91206

CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS

Glendale Office

144 N Glendale Ave.
Suite 250
Glendale, CA 91206

(818) 423-4878

Fresno Office

1221 Van Ness Ave
Suite 307
Fresno, CA 93721

(559) 354-6344

Ontario Office

3281 E. Guasti Rd
7th Floor
Ontario, CA 91761

(909) 235-5886

Riverside Office

11801 Pierce St.
Suite 200
Riverside CA 92505

(951) 561-2002

Sacramento Office

1015 2nd St
Second Floor, Suite B
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 860-7800

San Bernadino Office

473 E Carnegie Dr
Suite 200
San Bernardino, CA 92408

(909) 963-0750

Book your free consultation right now