Many Irvine residents enjoy the outdoors, including bicycling around the city’s many trails and parks. Unfortunately, cyclists face numerous safety hazards when sharing the road with motor vehicles. If the driver of a car or truck acts negligently or recklessly, they could cause a collision and endanger the life of a cyclist. Injuries from bicycle accidents can be severe, and victims could suffer painful, life-altering complications.
Fortunately, bicycle accident victims have the legal right to file a claim for compensation against the party or parties responsible for their injuries. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Irvine, California, the dedicated legal team at Benchmark Injury Law can help you through this stressful time. Our personal injury attorney is dedicated to helping clients in Irvine and the surrounding areas receive the maximum compensation available for the harm they have suffered. Our team is committed to providing prompt answers to your legal questions, and guiding you through every step of the claims process.
Tips for Staying Safe While Biking in Irvine
Although biking is a popular pastime for children and adults alike, many motorists do not know how to share the road with cyclists. Frequently, drivers act recklessly or fail to see cyclists, causing them significant injuries. Since biking is fun for the whole family, it is essential to follow and model these crucial tips for your family’s safety:
- Wear a helmet at all times
- Utilize headlights, tail lights, and reflective clothing to ensure drivers can see you or your child
- Learn and use hand signals to indicate your turns
- Call out to pedestrians or use a bell when you are approaching from behind
- Do not attempt to ride in the opposite direction of traffic
- Leave space between your bike and the curb to avoid being hit by a car door
- Refrain from listening to music through earbuds
- Know and follow all traffic laws
But, unfortunately, even the most careful cyclist is at risk on the road where there are reckless, distracted, or angry drivers. There are too many bicycle accidents in Irvine each year.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Irvine
It is important to understand that bicyclists on the roadways have the same rights as other motor vehicles, but bicyclists also have the same obligation to obey all rules of the road. One or multiple parties can be responsible for causing bicycle accidents. A common cause of bicycle accidents is other vehicles on the roadways. The driver of a car, truck, or other motor vehicles may fail to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist, may be distracted by passengers or the use of a cell phone and may not notice a bicyclist, or may have disobeyed a traffic law causing a collision with a bicyclist.
In some cases, bicycle manufacturers, or various parts manufacturers, may have been responsible for the bicycle accident. This may be the case if an expert identifies defective bicycle parts that do not meet industry standards. It’s also possible for a government agency to have been a cause of a bicycle accident, for instance, the government agency may have designed and implemented a defective road design, or failed to improve road conditions.
Our bicycle accident lawyers have years of experience handling bicycle accidents and knows how to help you obtain the compensation you deserve after your accident. Our exceptional client-oriented service assists you in building a successful case and gathering persuasive evidence for a favorable outcome.
Common Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents in Irvine, California
Many cyclists agree that one of the best parts of cycling is exposure to the outdoors. Unfortunately, this exposure to the elements can make riding a bike particularly dangerous. While cars have airbags and steel frames, bikes lack such safety features and protections. If a collision occurs, a bike accident victim may suffer several injuries, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputation or other loss of limb
- Joint damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest injuries
- Burn injuries
- Road rash
- Wrongful death
Following a bicycle accident, it is essential to seek professional medical care as soon as possible. Many injuries that may not seem severe immediately after the accident could worsen over time without proper treatment. Additionally, many life-threatening injuries like TBIs are invisible to the naked eye. Getting checked out by a medical professional is crucial for your safety and the success of your claim.
Damages You May Be Eligible to Collect Through a California Bike Accident Claim
Since bike accident injuries can be especially severe, many victims experience a long and challenging recovery period. The cost of extended hospital stays, medication, and therapy can leave victims financially debilitated on top of all of the pain they are enduring. At Benchmark Injury Law, our personal injury lawyer is committed to ensuring that you do not get stuck paying for injuries you did not cause. Some damages we may be able to help you recover include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Significant disability or disfigurement
- Medical devices
- Prescription medication
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
Your lawyer will work with you to investigate every aspect of your case to determine which damages you may be eligible to collect. The skilled team at Benchmark Injury Law will work tirelessly to help ensure you are fairly compensated for your losses.
Contact an Expert Irvine Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Irvine, California, you should not have to fund your own recovery. The dedicated team of bicycle accident lawyers and case managers at Benchmark Injury Law will help you navigate California’s legal system and make the claims process as straightforward as possible. We pride ourselves on taking a personal and values-based approach to every case to ensure our client’s unique needs are met. To learn more about how we can help and schedule a free consultation, give us a call at (949) 504-9031 or complete our contact form today.
