Costa Mesa Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Costa Mesa Bicycle Accident Attorney

Many people ride bicycles in the Costa Mesa, CA, area for fun, exercise, and an environmentally friendly way to get to and from work or run errands. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents can and do occur in Orange County, and the results of these incidents often include serious injuries and substantial economic losses. If you or a loved one recently experienced a bicycle accident due to the actions of a driver or other party, it’s vital to know the legal options you have in this situation that may enable you to recover your damages.

bicycle accident attorney costa mesa ca

Legal Representation for Costa Mesa, CA, Bicycle Accident Victims

An experienced Costa Mesa bicycle accident lawyer is the ideal asset for this situation. Your legal team can review the details of your recent bicycle accident and help you prove responsibility for the losses you sustained. The attorneys at Easton & Easton have extensive professional experience handling complex personal injury claims on behalf of Costa Mesa, CA, clients. We can apply our knowledge and skills to your bicycle accident claim.

Benefits of Working With a Costa Mesa Bicycle Accident Attorney

The right attorney can have an undeniably positive impact on the outcome of your bicycle accident claim. Unfortunately, many injured plaintiffs struggle with difficult medical complications following their accidents, making addressing their legal affairs even more challenging. When you choose Easton & Easton to represent your bicycle accident claim in Costa Mesa, our team will handle the procedural aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery. In addition, we’ll ensure the claim meets all court filing deadlines and statutory requirements and keep you updated on the progress of your claim.

Experienced legal counsel not only makes filing your case much easier but also improves the quality of your final recovery. Many personal injury plaintiffs initially undervalue their claims, not realizing the full range of damages they can seek under California law. Your Costa Mesa bicycle accident lawyer can help you identify all open compensation channels, potentially revealing injuries that you didn’t realize you could claim.

Easton & Easton provides client-focused legal counsel in every case we accept. We’ll carefully review the details of how your bicycle accident happened and help you identify the party or parties bearing liability for the incident. Our team will also carefully evaluate the damages resulting from the incident, ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for the immediate and future effects the accident is likely to have on you and your family. Ultimately, you are most likely to succeed with a personal injury claim and maximize your final case award when you have reliable legal counsel handling your case.

How Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Orange County, CA?

Bicyclists have many of the same rights as the drivers of motor vehicles in California, such as the ability to “take a lane” and occupy space in moving traffic on some roads. However, they also face unique restrictions and risks compared to motor vehicle drivers. A bicycle offers virtually no physical protection to the rider in a crash, so bicycle accidents tend to result in severe injuries to the cyclists involved. When a driver hits a bicycle or causes a bicyclist to crash, the incident is likely to generate a personal injury claim. Some of the most commonly cited causes of bicycle accidents that lead to civil cases in Costa Mesa include:

  • Distracted driving. All drivers and cyclists are legally required to operate their vehicles attentively. Unfortunately, a few seconds of distracted driving is all it may take to cause devastating injuries.
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. When an accident happens because of DUI, the at-fault driver faces criminal charges and civil liability for the victims’ damages. Bicyclists are also eligible for DUI charges if they ride their bikes while intoxicated in California.
  • Speeding. If a driver exceeds the posted speed limit, they reduce the time and space they have to avoid a collision. Therefore, a speeding driver can easily cause a devastating accident with a cyclist, which could equate to the at-fault driver facing prosecution for reckless driving and a civil claim from the injured cyclist.
  • Moving violations. Drivers and cyclists can easily cause accidents if they fail to abide by posted traffic signs and commit moving violations. For example, illegal turns, inappropriate lane changes, running red lights, and failing to stop at stop signs can all cause accidents.
  • Poor visibility. Bicyclists should do what they can to make themselves noticeable, especially if they ride their bikes at night. Drivers must also use extra caution when driving at night or during poor visibility periods.

After a bicycle accident occurs, the parties involved must remain at the accident scene until first responders arrive. Many bicycle accidents result in severely injured cyclists who will need immediate medical care. At-fault drivers who fail to report these incidents to the authorities or attempt to flee the scene of a bicycle accident can face hit-and-run charges.

First responders can provide medical care to injured victims of the accident, and the police will investigate the scene and interview the parties involved. In addition, they will take statements from any eyewitnesses who saw the crash and compile a police report. If you intend to file a civil claim for your recent bicycle accident, the police report of the incident will be invaluable to your case.

Success with your bicycle accident claim hinges on your ability to prove fault for the incident. For example, if another driver hit you while you were riding your bike, you must be able to show the driver failed to use reasonable care in the situation in question or that they intentionally caused the accident somehow. Your personal injury attorney in Costa Mesa can help you gather any evidence you may need to establish fault, such as traffic camera footage, cell phone records, or witness statements.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Damages in California

California’s personal injury statutes allow the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek full repayment of all the economic losses suffered due to a defendant’s actions. Bicycle accidents tend to cause severe injuries, so the plaintiff’s medical expenses will likely form a large share of their total economic damages. The plaintiff has the right to recover the costs of all medical treatments they required due to the accident. These include immediate health care costs for emergency treatment and ongoing rehabilitative care the victim needs.

The victim of a bicycle accident may not be able to work for an extended time, and the defendant in their claim would be liable for the income lost during this period. Your attorney can assist you in calculating your lost wages, and you will likely need their assistance to calculate lost future earnings if you cannot return to work. If a defendant’s actions result in a permanent injury to a plaintiff and the plaintiff cannot work in the future because of it, the defendant is liable for the plaintiff’s lost future earning capacity.

The plaintiff of a bicycle accident claim can also seek repayment of the cost of their bike and any other property damaged or destroyed in the incident. The plaintiff may discover that their claimable economic losses amount to more than they expected at first, but their recovery may not stop there. California state law also allows for the claiming of non-economic damages in personal injury cases.

Non-economic damages are the intangible losses resulting from a personal injury, such as the victim’s physical pain and emotional suffering. This may seem difficult to quantify with a dollar value, but an experienced Costa Mesa bicycle accident attorney can use different methods to calculate appropriate pain and suffering compensation for their client. For example, if the plaintiff is expected to make a full recovery relatively soon, their attorney may seek per diem pain and suffering compensation every day until the plaintiff reaches maximum medical improvement. On the other hand, if the plaintiff sustained severe injuries likely to cause permanent harm, the attorney may seek a large lump sum of pain and suffering compensation instead.

bicycle accident lawyer costa mesa ca

Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Costa Mesa

Your total claimable damages could be far more than you initially anticipated if you have the right Costa Mesa bicycle accident lawyer handling your case. However, you must prove the defendant is liable for these damages to obtain the compensation you need after your accident. Success with a personal injury case requires the plaintiff to prove the defendant’s actions directly resulted in the plaintiff’s claimed damages. Your attorney can help you accomplish this by effectively leveraging the evidence available in your case.

It’s important to remember that California upholds a pure comparative negligence statute. This statute comes into play whenever a plaintiff bears partial fault for the damages they’ve claimed in a personal injury suit. Some defendants may assert comparative negligence to reduce their own liability, claiming the plaintiffs suing them bear partial responsibility for causing the accidents in question.

If you are found to be partially responsible for a bicycle accident or any other personal injury in California, the judge handling your case will assign fault percentages to you and the defendant. You may still recover compensation for your damages, but you will lose a portion of the final case award equal to your fault percentage. For example, if you are determined to be 10% at fault in a $300,000 claim, you would lose 10% or $30,000 of your case award. If you have any concerns about bearing partial responsibility for your recent bicycle accident, discuss these issues with your attorney.

FAQs

Q: Who Is Usually at Fault if a Bicycle Is Involved in an Accident?
A:
In most cases involving motor vehicle drivers hitting cyclists, the drivers are typically more at fault than the cyclists. This is because a motor vehicle is inherently more dangerous to others than a bicycle; therefore, the driver has a higher duty of care to prevent accidents. However, a bicyclist can absorb partial fault for a bicycle accident if they are negligent in a manner that contributes to causing the incident.

Q: Will a Driver Go to Jail for Hitting a Bicyclist?
A:
If a driver hits a bicyclist, they are liable for any damages they cause to the cyclist under the personal injury laws of California. The situation would only call for criminal charges against the driver if the driver were engaged in any unlawful activity when the accident occurred, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, excessively speeding, or fleeing the scene of another criminal act.

Q: What Happens If a Bicycle Accident Is Fatal?
A:
In the event that a driver causes a fatal bicycle accident, the victim’s family would have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver. Depending on how the accident happened and whether the victim died immediately from the incident, the family may also have the right to file a survival action with their wrongful death claim. The at-fault driver could face prosecution for causing the death.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Costa Mesa Bicycle Accident Attorney?
A:
It’s understandable to worry about the cost of legal fees when you need to hire a lawyer. Easton & Easton makes our legal services accessible to those who need them most with contingency fee billing. Under a contingency fee agreement, we only take a legal fee once we win our client’s case, and the client pays no upfront legal costs. If we fail to obtain a recovery, there is no fee for the client, and when we win, our fee is a percentage of the final case award.

Time is a critical concern after any personal injury. California upholds a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but it is always best to start building your case as soon as possible for the best chance of success. To discuss your claim with an experienced Costa Mesa bicycle accident attorney, contact Easton & Easton today and schedule your consultation with our team.

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Firm Awards
Accredited Business Bbb Rating A+

The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Best Law Firms Orange County 2020

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.

Reader's Choice 2019 Best Law Firm

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

The Best Lawyers in America

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California 2016

Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.

Super Lawyers

Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.

10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms in all of Southern California

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.

People Love Us On Yelp

Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.

Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for 2015

Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.

Top Rated Lawyers AV Preeminent

Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.

10 Best 2015 Client Satisfaction

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.

American Board of Trial Advocate

Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.

The National Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40

Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Avvo Rating Top Attorney Personal Injury

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.

Nation's Top One Percent

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.

Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer | Costa Mesa Auto Accident Attorney | Catastrophic Injuries

“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”

Partner W. Douglas Easton

What Our Clients Say

Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…

Sara McClelland
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Caila Dean

Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…

Lisa Bluemel

The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…

Sofia Sanchez

I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…

Dan Campbell

Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…

Kyle Keith

What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…

Logan Ross

I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!

-Allee

Ashlee A.

Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.

Jeffrey N.

I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!

Mark B.

They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.

Vamsi P.

Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.

They are the BEST!

Jennifer P.

I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.

Claudia C.

I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way

Linda M.

The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!

Ericka P.

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