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Newport Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Contact Beach Accident Attorneys if you were hit by a vehicle while riding your bike in Newport Beach, CA. Free consultation and no upfront legal fees.
NEWPORT BEACH BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
With miles of gorgeous coastline and a mild climate, Newport Beach attracts visitors all year long looking for the perfect combination of sand and surf. Due to its relatively compact downtown, it’s also a popular destination for cyclists looking for a quick and efficient way to get around. However, considering the popularity of this Southern California destination, bike riders may find themselves at the other end of a serious accident with a motor vehicle.
If you were injured in a Newport Beach bicycle accident, you need strong and experienced legal assistance to fight for you. At Beach Accident Attorneys, our dedicated team of bicycle accident lawyers will hold the responsible party liable for your injuries. We work tirelessly to obtain maximum compensation and do not stop until we get what is fair for you. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
HOW CAN BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS HELP ME?
Bicycle Accidents Are On the Rise
Biking is a fun and eco-friendly way to get around, but it doesn’t come without dangers. Serious and fatal accidents involving a motor vehicle can happen anytime, anywhere.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), bicycle accident injuries and fatalities increased 16% in 2020 and have increased 44% in the last 10 years. Bicycle accidents happen the most frequently in the summer, while males represented a majority of bicycle deaths.
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FEATURED NEWPORT BEACH BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
After graduating from the San Fernando Valley College of Law in Woodland Hills, CA, Mr. Joseph Ryan became a member of the State Bar of California in 1982. He has dedicated his legal career of over 40 years to fighting for his clients' rights and interests. As an expert in personal injury and workers' compensation cases, Mr. Ryan knows how to negotiate and litigate effectively.
Award-Winning Attorneys with a 99% Success Rate and Millions Recovered.
COMMON CAUSES OF BICYCLE ACCIDENTS IN NEWPORT BEACH
In many cases, drivers are responsible for causing bicycle crashes due to their negligence. Drivers and cyclists are advised to share the road, however, it is often found that the driver failed to yield to the cyclist when they had the right of way. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving has become an epidemic in the U.S. Drivers who are distracted by their phones, other passengers, or other things inside or outside of their cars are more likely to fail to see cyclists and cause a crash.
- Failure to yield the right of way: Drivers sometimes fail to yield the right of way to bicyclists at intersections, crosswalks, driveways, or bicycle lanes. This can result in turning or pulling out in front of a bicyclist and causing a crash.
- Speeding: Speeding drivers have less time to react to hazards, and are more likely to hit cyclists.
- Improper lane changes: Drivers who make improper lane changes without checking their blind spots or using their signal are more likely to hit cyclists.
- Passing too closely: Drivers are required to give at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist on the road. Passing too closely can cause a driver to sideswipe a bicyclist or force them off the road
- Dooring: This is when a car door is opened into the path of a cyclist, causing a crash. Dooring is especially common in areas with high concentrations of parked cars, like Balboa Island.
- Poor visibility: Bicycles are small and can be difficult to see, especially in poor visibility conditions such as darkness, rain, or fog. Drivers who are not paying attention or who are driving too fast are more likely to hit cyclists in poor visibility conditions.
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WHO IS AT FAULT IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT?
To obtain damages, the plaintiff (the bicycle accident victim) must prove that the defendant was negligent and that their negligence caused or contributed to the accident and the resulting injuries.
Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care in a given situation. If a driver hit a cyclist because they were speeding, distracted, drunk, or ran a red light, they may be found negligent.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule for personal injury cases. This means that each party's fault is compared and their damages are reduced accordingly. For example, if a cyclist was 20% at fault for an accident and suffered $100,000 in damages, they would only be able to recover $80,000 from the other party. Therefore, it is important to have strong evidence and an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to establish liability and maximize compensation.
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SERIOUS INJURIES IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT
Even low speed accidents can cause serious injuries to cyclists. This is due to the fact that cyclists have little protection on the road, aside from a bicycle helmet and protective clothing. Motor vehicles that collide with a bicycle can cause severe injuries that may require extensive physical therapy and treatment. While riders over the age of 18 are not required to wear a helmet, it is strongly recommended to wear one. Multiple studies have shown that helmets reduce the risk of serious head injuries by 60%. Some of the most common bike accident injuries include:
Broken bones
This is one of the most common bike accident injuries. Cyclists may suffer from broken arms and legs in a collision. Bone fractures can take weeks to months to heal.
Road Rash
Road rash is a type of soft tissue injury that cyclists often suffer from if their skin is scraped against rough pavement. It can cause pain, bleeding, and infection if not treated properly.
Head Injuries
Cyclists not wearing a helmet have a much greater risk of sustaining a serious head or brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are some of the most common rider injuries, and include concussions.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries usually refer to injury of internal organs or internal bleeding. Sometimes, these serious injuries can go undetected if the victim does not seek immediate medical attention.
Neck and Back Injuries
Whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage can all result from a cyclist being thrown off their bike or hit by a car. Spinal cord injuries are among the most dangerous, as they can result in partial or total paralysis.
Face Injuries
Unlike motorcycle helmets, most bicycle helmets do not have a face shield. This means that cyclists may suffer from face injuries like contusions or fractures.
If a cyclist succumbs to their injuries, their death may be ruled a wrongful death if the driver caused the accident that resulted in the fatal injuries. Speak to a Newport Beach wrongful death attorney.
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DAMAGES IN NEWPORT BEACH BICYCLE ACCIDENT CASES
Injured bicycle accident victims may be able to recover damages, or losses, in a bicycle accident claim. The amount of damages will depend upon the injuries sustained, the extent of the victim’s lost income, the impact on the quality of life, and more. Below are some of the types of compensation available in a personal injury claim:
Medical Expenses
This includes the cost of all medical treatment, such as hospital bills, doctor's visits, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages
If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages.
Lost Earning Capacity
This covers the reduction in the victim's ability to earn income in the future due to permanent or long-term impairments caused by the injury.
Pain and Suffering
This is a non-economic damages that compensates you for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of the accident.
Property Damage
If your bicycle was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Wrongful Death
If a loved one was killed in a bicycle crash, you may be able to recover damages for their pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and loss of support.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT
After a bicycle crash, you may be left feeling disoriented, in pain, and in shock.
All of this is normal. If you were seriously injured, call 911 immediately and seek medical treatment. Whatever you do, do not leave the accident scene until a police officer responds and creates a police report. This report is a critical piece of evidence in a personal injury claim.
If you are able to do so, take pictures of your injuries, your bike damage, the vehicle that hit you, and any other relevant information. Exchange your contact information with the driver and get their information. If there are any witnesses, ask them to give a statement about what happened. When you are home, keep track of your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that you incur from the accident. Finally, contact a Newport Beach bicycle accident attorney to find out how to file a claim against the driver.
BICYCLE ACCIDENT STATISTICS IN ORANGE COUNTY
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), more than 100 bicyclists are killed and over 10,000 are injured in collisions each year in California. While cycling has become more and more popular over the years, motor vehicles still greatly outnumber bicycles on the road.
Some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Newport Beach, CA:
- Jamboree Rd. and Bristol St.
- Newport Blvd. and 17th St.
- Newport Blvd. and 19th St.
- Campus Dr. and Bristol St.
- MacArthur Blvd. and San Joaquin Hills Rd.
- Pacific Coast Hwy. and Newport Coast Dr.
CONTACT A NEWPORT BEACH BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
If you were injured in a Newport Beach bicycle accident, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. While filing a bike accident claim is possible on your own, you have a greater chance at winning with a bike accident lawyer on your side. The legal team at Beach Accident Attorneys is ready to take on the at fault driver and their insurance company to fight for maximum compensation. Our attorneys are experienced and tough litigators with an impressive record of wins. Contacting our team is completely free – just call our office or send us a message to set up a free consultation. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay unless we win. We are available 24/7 to discuss your bicycle accident case.
Our Location
Beach Accident Attorneys
4701 Von Karman Ave #324
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 688-4182