Bicycle Accidents

Bike Accident Attorney Encino

Encino’s streets and bike-friendly corridors see their share of collisions every year. When a negligent driver strikes a cyclist, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be devastating. Injured cyclists often face mounting medical bills, time away from work, and injuries that can take months or years to heal. At V&A Law Firm, our Encino bicycle accident attorneys are here to help you pursue the fair compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Contact us online or call our office at (818) 369-3270 for a free case consultation.

What Are The Main Causes Of Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents happen for many reasons, but our legal team sees certain scenarios come up repeatedly in Encino bicycle accident cases.

The most common causes include:

  • Drivers veering into bike lanes. The bike lane exists for cyclists only. When a car drifts into a designated bike lane, it can force a rider to swerve suddenly or crash.
  • Drivers failing to yield at intersections. Motor vehicle drivers are legally required to share the road with bicycle riders. Failing to yield at an intersection is one of the most dangerous forms of driver negligence.
  • Drivers failing to see cyclists. Many drivers are simply not in the habit of watching for people on bikes. This lack of awareness contributes directly to bicycle fatalities and serious injuries each year.
  • Distracted driving. A driver who is texting, eating, or otherwise distracted may not react in time to avoid a cyclist crossing their path.
  • Dooring incidents. When a parked driver swings open a car door without checking the bike lane, a cyclist can slam directly into it. These dooring incidents often send riders into moving traffic, escalating an already dangerous situation.

Each of these scenarios can give rise to a personal injury claim. If another person’s negligent behavior caused your accident, you should not bear the financial burden of their mistake.

What Should I Do After An Encino Bicycle Accident?

After a bicycle accident, many riders are in shock. Even so, certain steps in the immediate aftermath can protect your health and strengthen your bicycle accident claim.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, take these steps:

  • Exchange insurance information with the driver. Get their license plate, driver’s license number, and insurer.
  • Call the police and make sure a report is filed. Police reports are key evidence in bicycle accident cases.
  • Take photos of the accident scene, including damage to your bike and the vehicle that struck you.
  • Talk to any witnesses and collect their contact information. Witness testimony can be critical in disputed cases.
  • Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including internal injuries and spinal cord damage, may not be immediately apparent.
  • Keep records. Hold on to all medical records, bills, and any out-of-pocket costs related to your injuries.
  • Contact an Encino bicycle accident lawyer to begin building your case and pursuing financial compensation.

One step many riders overlook is following up with a doctor after the initial emergency visit. Gaps in medical care can give insurance companies a reason to argue your injuries were not as serious as claimed. Consistent medical treatment strengthens your case and protects your health.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Encino

Bicycle riders have no metal frame, airbags, or seatbelts protecting them in a collision with a motor vehicle. When accidents happen, the injuries are often severe.

Common bicycle accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, and skull fractures, which can occur even when a rider is wearing a properly fitted helmet. Spinal cord injuries are another serious outcome, sometimes resulting in permanent disability. Broken bones, particularly in the arms, wrists, and legs, are among the most frequent injuries our team sees. Neck injuries, internal injuries, and permanent scarring are also common consequences of serious bicycle crashes.

Road rash is another injury that is sometimes underestimated. When a rider is thrown from their bike and slides across pavement, the resulting wounds can be deep, prone to infection, and leave lasting scars. In some cases, skin grafts or multiple surgical procedures are required.

In the most severe cases, bicycle accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries that require long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation. When a collision is fatal, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver.

California Laws That Protect Bicycle Riders

California law provides meaningful protections for cyclists on the road. Understanding these laws can help you recognize when a driver’s negligent behavior gives rise to a valid bicycle accident claim.

Under California Vehicle Code § 21200, a person riding a bicycle on a highway has all the rights and is subject to the same provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle. This means bicycle riders are entitled to full use of California’s streets and highways, and a driver who violates traffic laws and injures a cyclist may be held liable for the resulting damages.

Under California’s Three Feet for Safety Act (Vehicle Code § 21760), a motor vehicle driver who is overtaking or passing a bicycle must maintain a minimum distance of three feet. When an adjacent lane is available, the driver is also required to move into that lane before passing. If three feet cannot be safely maintained, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. A violation of this law can serve as evidence of driver negligence in a bicycle accident lawsuit.

California follows a pure comparative fault rule established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975). Under this rule, even if an injured cyclist shares some degree of fault for the crash, they can still recover compensation. Any award is reduced by the cyclist’s percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. This is a critical protection for bicycle accident victims whose cases involve disputed liability.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in California?

California sets a strict deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, injured cyclists generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against a private individual or entity. Wrongful death claims carry the same two-year period, which begins on the date of death.

There are narrow exceptions that may extend or shorten this window, such as when a government entity is involved. If your accident occurred on a poorly maintained public road or involved a government vehicle, different deadlines and notice requirements may apply. An attorney can help you identify which rules govern your specific situation.

Missing the filing deadline typically means losing the right to seek compensation altogether. The sooner you consult with an Encino bicycle accident attorney, the more time our legal team has to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.

What Kind Of Compensation Can I Receive?

The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the specifics of your case and the extent of your bicycle injuries. Common damages in bicycle accident claims include:

  • Medical expenses, both current and future
  • Property damage to your bicycle and gear
  • Lost wages and lost earning potential
  • Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and emotional trauma
  • Catastrophic injury costs for long-term care
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

In some cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay for these damages. But insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and their initial offers may fall well short of what you actually need. When that happens, filing a bicycle accident lawsuit may produce a better outcome. Contact an experienced Encino bicycle accident lawyer on our team today to understand the full range of compensation available in your situation.

Can Bicycle Accidents Be Prevented?

While all road users share responsibility for safety, bicycle riders can reduce their risk by following a few practical guidelines.

Proactive steps for cyclists include obeying all traffic laws, using designated bike lanes when available, riding with the flow of traffic, and staying alert to avoid distracted riding. Giving motor vehicles plenty of space, especially at intersections, and yielding when there is any doubt about whether a driver has seen you, can prevent many crashes.

Protective gear matters too. Wearing a properly fitted helmet is the single most effective way to reduce the severity of head injuries in a crash. Bright, reflective clothing makes cyclists more visible to other motor vehicles. A bike light and added reflectors are especially important for riding at dawn, dusk, or night. Checking for defective bicycle parts before each ride can also eliminate mechanical hazards that contribute to accidents.

Taking these precautions does not mean a cyclist assumes the risk of another driver’s negligence. If you were hurt despite doing everything right, you still have the right to seek compensation.

How Can a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Encino Help Me?

A serious accident involving a bicycle can leave you with life-altering injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear path forward. The last thing you need while recovering is to spend your energy negotiating with insurance companies or tracking down the at-fault driver.

At V&A Law Firm, our team handles all of that for you. We will review the police reports, gather medical records, consult with experts, and build a bicycle accident case that reflects the full scope of your losses. Whether your case resolves through an insurance settlement or goes to court, we are ready to advocate for you at every stage.

Our Encino bicycle accident attorneys represent clients in English, Spanish, and Farsi, so we can communicate with you in the language you are most comfortable with.

Why Choose V&A Law Firm for Your Bicycle Accident Case?

When you search for a bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles or Encino, you will find many options. Here is what sets V&A Law Firm apart.

Our legal team brings more than 50 combined years of experience to every case. We have extensive relationships with local investigators, expert witnesses, and the courts in and around Los Angeles, and that local knowledge can make a real difference in the outcome of your case. We have secured over $350 million in compensation for our clients, and we are prepared to go to trial if a fair settlement is not on the table.

We also understand that injured cyclists are often dealing with lost wages and growing medical expenses. That is why we work on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is completely free and carries no obligation.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an Encino bicycle accident, call us today at (818) 369-3270. Our team is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and fight for the fair recovery you deserve.