Torrance Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Torrance, CA

Riding a bicycle can be dangerous. Unlike drivers of and riders in motor vehicles, all you have to protect you in an accident is a plastic helmet. Because of this lack of protection, bicycle riders often sustain serious injuries during accidents involving motor vehicles. If you’ve found yourself in that position, you can work with a Torrance bicycle accident lawyer to get fair compensation for your injuries.

Trust Duque & Price

The team here at Duque & Price has years of experience in assisting clients with bicycle accident claims. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you a fair settlement package and have the experience required to take your case to court should it become necessary. You can trust us to protect your rights and interests every step of the way.

Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

In 2023, there were 36 bicyclists injured or killed in Los Angeles County, many of them by careless drivers of larger motor vehicles. Statistically, bicyclists are much more likely than car drivers or passengers to sustain fatal injuries. While bicycle trips make up just 1% of all trips in the US, bicyclists account for 2-3% of fatalities in accidents involving motor vehicles. In 2023, bicyclists made up their largest-ever percentage of motor vehicle accident fatalities.

Being injured during a bicycle accident can lead to substantial pain and suffering, but you can hire a bicycle accident lawyer to help you recover compensation for your damages. Your lawyer can assist you with everything from filing paperwork and keeping track of deadlines to negotiating with insurance companies. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is the most effective way to improve your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Most bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are caused by the drivers of cars, not the bicyclists themselves. Some of the most common causes of bike accidents involving other vehicles include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Intersections

Accidents can also be caused by interactions with animals, hitting fixed objects, or poor road conditions.

Common Injuries Caused by Bike Accidents

Bicycle riders are at an increased risk of sustaining injuries during accidents because they have nothing to protect them from impacts. Some of the most common of these injuries include:

• Back injuries, including herniated discs and back sprains
• Traumatic brain injuries, which can have lifelong complications
• Broken bones, such as arms, legs, wrists, or ankles
• Lacerations and contusions, which don’t typically require extensive medical treatment
• Whiplash, a stretching of the neck too far in any one direction
• Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis

The amount of compensation you’re entitled to following a bicycle crash is partially determined by the severity of your injuries. Someone who has become permanently paralyzed as a result of their injuries is likely to get a larger settlement than a bicyclist who only broke a bone and required minimal medical intervention.

What Happens When Cyclists Are Partially at Fault?

It doesn’t matter whether your accident happened at a busy intersection, such as Hawthorne Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway, or right in front of your house. If you were partially at fault for your accident in Torrance, you could still be eligible to collect compensation. Your settlement can, however, be reduced by the percentage of fault you’re assigned for the crash. Common reasons for cyclists to be assigned some percentage of liability include:

• Riding through intersections while the light was red
• Not riding in designated bike lanes
• Riding into oncoming traffic
• Failing to honor the right of way

Like motor vehicles, bicyclists are required to follow the rules of the road. Be honest with your lawyer about what happened during your accident, but don’t ever admit fault to the other driver or their insurance company.

FAQs About Bicycling Accidents

How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Cycling Accident?

How much compensation you can get for a cycling accident depends on the specifics of your case. If you sustained serious injuries and were found to be at no fault for the accident, you’ll most likely receive a better payout than someone who sustained only minor wounds or was found to be partially liable for the crash. The experience level of your Torrance bicycle accident attorney can also play a role in determining your settlement amount.

How Much of a 30K Settlement Can I Get?

How much of a 30K settlement you get depends on the extent of the medical bills you have to pay and the percentage of the settlement you agreed to pay your lawyer in lieu of upfront legal fees. As a general rule, lawyers get paid their share of the settlement first. They then use the remaining money to pay hospital bills and give the rest to their clients directly.

Can I File a Claim Against Someone for Hitting Me on My Bike?

You can file a claim against someone for hitting you on your bike. If they were even partially liable for the accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any injuries you sustained. Having a skilled bicycle accident lawyer on your side can improve your chances of getting a fair settlement.

What Are the Four Things Required to Prove Negligence?

The four things required to prove negligence are a duty of care, a breach of duty, causation, and damages. The first refers to the legal responsibility to act with a certain level of care toward others. The second refers to a failure to meet that responsibility. The third indicates that the breach directly caused your injuries. The last indicates that you have actual, compensable losses.

Your Torrance Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hit by a car while riding your bike, it’s time to take action and hire a Torrance bicycle accident lawyer to help you pursue fair compensation. You can rely on the team here at Duque & Price to help. We have a clear understanding of bike accident laws and how to leverage them to get our clients the compensation they deserve. We can help with your bicycle accident case, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.