Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
Many people living in the Los Angeles area ride bikes for exercise, for leisure, and for accessible and environmentally friendly alternative transportation. Whatever reasons you may have for riding your bike in Los Angeles, it is crucial to know your rights and responsibilities when sharing the road with motor vehicle drivers and what to do when another driver causes an accident.
Helping Bicycle Accident Victims Recover in Los Angeles
Any time a motor vehicle hits a bicycle, the bicyclist is likely to suffer severe injuries, even if the accident occurs at low to moderate speed. The highest-quality helmets and safety gear can only minimize the injuries the victim will suffer, not prevent them entirely. If you recently experienced a bicycle accident due to the negligence or misconduct of another driver, you will need the help of a seasoned Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney to help hold them accountable.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton regularly provide compassionate and responsive legal representation to victims of all types of personal injuries in the Los Angeles area. Our team knows the various legal challenges you are likely to face as you seek compensation for losses inflicted by another party, and we know how to help maximize the results of your own recovery efforts. Time is a crucial concern whenever you plan to file any type of civil suit for damages in Los Angeles, and connecting with an attorney you can trust as soon as possible after your accident significantly improves your chances of maximizing your recovery.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
It’s technically possible to pursue recompense for your recent bicycle accident without hiring an attorney, but doing so would be tremendously difficult for the average person. They would need to meet strict procedural demands while managing their medical needs, and bicycle accidents often cause serious injuries that demand ongoing care. They could also make unintentional errors that put their claims in jeopardy or encounter legal issues they do not know how to address on their own. Finally, even if they manage to succeed in holding a defendant accountable, they could mistakenly settle for much less compensation than they legally deserve.
Hiring legal counsel you can trust eliminates these risks in your bicycle accident claim. You will be able to rest and focus on your medical needs with peace of mind as your attorney handles your legal affairs. When you choose Easton & Easton to represent you in a bicycle accident claim, you will have a readily available legal advocate who can answer questions, address concerns, and ultimately guide you to the most positive outcome to your impending civil suit.
Your attorney can not only improve your chances of success with your claim, but they may also potentially uncover avenues of compensation you did not know were available to you. The attorneys at Easton & Easton are often able to exceed our client’s expectations for their recovery efforts, and we always seek the swiftest route to compensation in every case we accept.
Proving Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles
Before you can obtain any type of compensation for the losses you suffered from your recent bicycle accident, you must prove how the accident happened and identify the party who caused it. Most of the bicycle accidents reported in Los Angeles result from negligence or failure to use reasonable care behind the wheel. However, it is also possible for illegal misconduct to result in severe injuries to a bicyclist. A few of the most commonly cited causes of bicycle accidents in Los Angeles include:
- Dooring. This occurs whenever a parked driver opens their vehicle door directly in the path of a bicyclist without giving them time to slow down or stop. For example, if a driver parks along the curb next to a bike lane, they should use caution when opening their door to avoid injury to a passing bicyclist.
- Speeding. Whenever a motor vehicle driver exceeds the speed limit, they reduce the time they have to react to changes in traffic patterns, such as a bicyclist that comes into their direction of travel. Speeding not only increases the chances of a driver causing an accident but also the severity of resulting injuries and property damage.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. This is a criminal offense punishable by fines, jail time, driver’s license suspension, and other penalties assigned on a case-by-case basis. A defendant facing a DUI conviction will incur more severe penalties when their actions caused bodily injury or death.
- Distracted driving. Throughout the United States, distracted driving is consistently cited as the top cause of all motor vehicle accidents reported each year. In addition, even momentary distractions while driving can potentially cause a bicycle accident.
- Reckless driving. Unfortunately, some motor vehicle drivers engage in willfully dangerous behavior behind the wheel. Excessive speeding, tailgating, and swerving to intimidate other drivers are just a few examples of how reckless driving can potentially cause an accident. In addition, the at-fault driver is likely to face criminal charges for their actions, especially when they have caused bodily injury or death to a bicyclist.
Regardless of how your bicycle accident happened, your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can help gather whatever evidence you will need to prove liability for the incident and hold the at-fault driver accountable for the losses they inflicted on you. Evidence you may require might include physical evidence from the scene of the crash, eyewitness testimony from those who saw the accident happen, and digital evidence like the at-fault driver’s cell phone records.
A good attorney can also secure footage from any nearby traffic cameras that may have captured the accident as it occurred, and they may also consult expert witnesses if a case involves complex technical details or disputes regarding liability for the plaintiff’s claimed damages. When you choose Easton & Easton to represent you, we will work quickly to gather the evidence needed to substantiate your claim for compensation.
Claiming Compensation for Bicycle Accident Damages in Los Angeles
A bicycle accident is technically a vehicle accident under the law, and all drivers in the state must have auto insurance. This means that if you are hurt by a motor vehicle driver while riding your bike, you have the right to file a claim against their auto insurance policy and seek recompense for your damages. While state law requires all drivers to have $15,000 or more in bodily injury liability coverage, $30,000 or more in total accident liability coverage, and $5,000 or more in property damage liability coverage, these amounts may not be enough to fully compensate your losses from a serious bicycle accident.
Your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can help file your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, resolving any disputes that happen to arise between you and their insurance carrier. Once your attorney confirms that the insurance carrier has handled your claim in good faith and you have secured as much compensation as possible for your damages, you can proceed with filing a personal injury suit to recover any losses their insurance cannot repay.
Under California law, the plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to seek compensation for:
- Property damage, such as the expense of replacing their bicycle and any other personal property lost in the accident.
- Any and all medical expenses they incur for treatment of their injuries. If you suffered broken bones, traumatic brain injury, or any other physical harm in your bicycle accident, the at-fault driver is liable for any immediate and future medical treatment costs you incur as you work toward maximum medical improvement from your injury.
- Lost wages. You could be left unable to work until you recover from your injuries. In this case, the defendant must repay you for the money you cannot earn. The same rule applies if you have been permanently disabled by the accident and cannot work. The defendant is liable for the income you will lose in the future as well.
- Pain and suffering. Nothing limits the amount of compensation for pain and suffering the plaintiff in a bicycle accident claim can seek from the defendant who injured them. Your Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can help determine a fair amount to reflect the physical pain and psychological trauma you experienced from your accident. Depending on the severity of your injuries, this could form the bulk of your total case award.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton strive to help each of our clients approach their case proceedings with confidence, prove liability for their damages beyond any doubt through effective leveraging of evidence, and accurately prove the full scope of their claimable damages. Whatever legal complications your bicycle accident claim may entail, our firm is ready to provide the ongoing support and guidance you will need to maximize the outcome of your recovery efforts.
Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
Q: How Do I Prove Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles?
A: It is possible for a bicycle accident to occur because of negligence or intentional misconduct. If you were severely injured in your bicycle accident, you may have little to no recollection of how the accident happened or who is responsible. Ultimately, every bicycle accident victim will face a unique series of legal challenges as they seek compensation for their damages. Working with an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney offers the highest chances of successfully proving fault and securing appropriate recompense for your damages.
Q: Can a Bicyclist Be Responsible for Their Accident?
A: Yes, it is possible for a bicyclist to bear fault for the accident that injured them. The state enforces the pure comparative fault rule, so a plaintiff can still recover recompense for the losses even when they are partially responsible for them. However, they lose a portion of their total award reflecting shared fault. For example, if a bicyclist is found to be 25% at fault for the accident, they lose 25% of the total compensation won from the defendant.
Q: What Happens if a Bicyclist Dies in an Accident?
A: If you are mourning the loss of a loved one who recently died in a bicycle accident, your family likely has grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the driver who caused the accident. A wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury action in some procedural respects, but state law dictates who may file a wrongful death claim, and there are also specific rules regarding the damages available from a defendant. A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the victim’s family.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles?
A: It’s understandable to worry about whether you will be able to recover suitable compensation for the damages you suffered from your accident, and hiring an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney will significantly improve your chances of reaching a positive result. Under California law, the party responsible for the accident is liable for all economic losses they inflict on the victim, and they must compensate the victim for their pain and suffering.
Q: How Much Does a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Cost?
A: Easton & Easton makes legal counsel accessible when you need it most with contingency fee billing. You will not be required to pay upfront or ongoing attorneys’ fees when you choose our team to represent you. We will instead take part of the total case award we secure on your behalf as our fee, but only if we succeed in getting you compensation for your case. In addition, our firm will not charge you a fee if it cannot win you recompense for your damages, meaning you face no risk by hiring us to represent you.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton have the skill and professional legal experience necessary to handle the most challenging civil claims for damages in Los Angeles, including those arising from bicycle accidents. We know the various legal challenges that you might face while you seek recompense for your damages, and we want to help you recover as fully as possible. Contact us today and schedule a conference with a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney who can provide the guidance and support you need for your impending recovery efforts.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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…
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…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!