Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Santa Monica is filled with fun activities for tourists and locals alike. Whether they’re headed to the world-famous Santa Monica pier or enjoying the Marvin Braude Bike trail, plenty of cyclists year round. Unfortunately, with so many people sharing the road, bicycle accidents can happen. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you’ll need the help of a Santa Monica bicycle accident lawyer.
Lerner and Rowe’s experienced Santa Monica lawyers understand the unique challenges cyclists face. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What to Do After a Santa Monica Bicycle Accident
Following these steps after a bicycle accident can help protect your rights and strengthen your case:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the most important thing. See a doctor right away to get a medical evaluation, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Report the Accident: File a police report to document the accident.
- Collect Evidence: If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bike.
- Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies: Don’t speak to the insurance company for the at-fault party without first consulting with a lawyer.
- Contact a Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Lawyer: An experienced lawyer can advise you of your rights and help you navigate the legal process.
Common Causes of Santa Monica Bicycle Crashes
Several factors can contribute to bicycle accidents in Santa Monica. Here are some of the most common we’ve helped with over the years:
- Dooring: A driver opens their car door into the path of a cyclist.
- Left-Turn Crashes: A driver turning left fails to yield to a cyclist going straight.
- Right-Hook Crashes: A driver turning right makes a wide turn and collides with a cyclist.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or eating are more likely to cause accidents.
- Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, and lack of bike lanes can all contribute to accidents.
California Bicycle Laws
California has several laws in place to protect cyclists. Here are a few important ones:
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers on the road.
- Cyclists must ride with the flow of traffic.
- Cyclists must use hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
- Motorists must give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get for a Santa Monica Bicycle Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Santa Monica, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills: This includes past, present, and future medical expenses related to your accident.
- Lost wages: If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured.
- Property damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged bicycle.
Why Hire a Santa Monica Bike Crash Attorney?
The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be overwhelming. You may be facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer that serves that injured in Santa Monica can help you navigate the legal process and fight for compensation.
Here’s how Lerner and Rowe can help:
- Investigate the Accident: We’ll gather evidence to determine the cause of the accident and identify the at-fault party.
- Deal with Insurance Companies: We’ll handle all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf.
- Negotiate a Settlement: We’ll work to get you the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
Book a Free Consultation With a Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Lawyer
When you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, you have so many things to juggle at once. You’re worrying about medical bills, making ends meet, and keeping doctor’s appointments. You shouldn’t have to add mounting a legal case on your own to that list, and with Lerner and Rowe you don’t have to.
Schedule your free case evaluation and consultation today by giving us a call at 310-INJURED, filling out your free online form, or reaching out to us via LiveChat.