Southern California is a great place to ride your bicycle. We have great weather, it’s sunny, and it’s a cost-effective means of transportation.

But it can be extremely dangerous. Many vehicles don’t respect bicycles even though bike riders have the same rights on the road as a car. Drivers can be aggressive, which can result in serious injuries and even death for bike riders.

Vehicles Need to Share the Road

In California, bicycles have the same rights on the road as other vehicles. This means you, as a bike rider, need to follow the rules of the road just like a car. It also means that the other cars on the road need to respect you as they would any other vehicle.

Car drivers tend to blame bike riders for accidents. However, in most cases, accidents involving bicycles are the fault of the car. This happens because bicycles are smaller, and drivers aren’t paying attention. The driver may change lanes and not see the bicycle, causing an accident.

Aggressive Driving

Bike accidents also result from aggressive driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as a driver who commits multiple traffic offenses that put other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians in danger. Examples of aggressive driving include:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Failure to observe traffic signs
  • Failure to yield
  • Improper lane changes
  • Verbal abuse and other threats

This aggression creates a dangerous situation, especially for bikes. Cars have the protection of the vehicle frame. However, when bikes are hit by a vehicle, the rider has no protection and is fully exposed. This can result in severe injuries or death.

Types of Injuries Caused

When a bike rider is hit by a vehicle, it generally causes severe injuries. These can include:

  • Broken bones
  • Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Death

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while riding a bike, you deserve a seasoned and skilled bike accident injury lawyer on your side. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, we have helped many clients just like you get the compensation they need to heal from their bike accident injury. It can be a long process, but with our help, we can make sure your healing comes first.

Steps to Take When You’re Injured in a Bike Accident

When you’re injured in a bike accident, it’s important to take certain steps right away. This will help us when we fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you need to get better.

  • Take pictures of the accident scene
  • Take pictures of your injuries
  • File a police report
  • Get witness contact information
  • Don’t speak with an insurance company representative until you’ve spoken with us

You should alert your insurance company that you have been involved in an accident, but you should not give them a recorded statement until you’ve met with a trusted bike accident lawyer in Southern California. The insurance company doesn’t want to pay your claim so they will use your statement to try and pay you less than you deserve. By working with us, we can work with the insurance companies to try and get you the full value of your claim.

Call Your Southern California Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured while riding a bicycle, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers, your Southern California injury lawyer. We have the experience you need to help you get back on your feet.

You didn’t cause the accident, and you shouldn’t have to pay for any injuries associated with the accident. We work with you and guide you to not only help you get better but to make sure you don’t have to pay a dime out of your own pocket for your recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see who we can help you move forward.

Peter Steinberg
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Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982
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