Pasadena Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Injury Attorney in Pasadena, California

Pasadena sees many bicyclists on its roads, either for leisure, exercise, transportation, or all of the above. Even outside of Pasadena, CA, biking is rapidly growing in every part of the country, both as a recreational sport and a healthy lifestyle. Regrettably, bicycle accidents cause untold injuries to thousands of cyclists annually. What’s even worse is that most of these accidents are caused by negligent or non-attentive drivers.

We understand how bad it’s to be injured due to another person’s negligence. The law is clear, drivers in California have a duty to drive reasonably to protect other road users, including bikers. So, if you have been injured in a bicycle-vehicle accident in Pasadena, CA, it’s prudent you contact an experienced Pasadena personal injury lawyer at Setareh Law for a free consultation on the best course of action to take. We may be able to get you compensation from the at-fault party for your accident injuries.

Top Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Pasadena

In most bicycle accidents, auto vehicles are responsible for a significant percentage—about 9 in 10 bicycle accidents involve a motor vehicle. Some of the prevalent causes of these catastrophic accidents include:

• A car drifting into bike lanes
• Driver failing to properly look behind them when pulling from a parking lot
• Distracted driving, e.g. driving while using a smartphone
• Driving under the influence or driver fatigue
• Low visibility—drivers failing to see the bike, especially at night or during adverse weather
• Cyclist failing to use hand signals when making turns
• Biking against the traffic or lane splitting
• Drivers following the bikers too closely—CA’s new legislation requires motorists to keep at least three feet of a buffer from the cyclist
• Careless driving, e.g. running a red light, failure to yield, speeding, unsafe turns/lane changes

If an automobile driver caused an accident that led to your injuries, you have a right to compensation. Expert bicycle accident lawyers in Pasadena may help you get the negligent driver’s insurance company to reimburse you with money reflective of your injuries.

How Cyclists Can Protect Themselves Against Accidents

While it’s impossible to predict when an accident may be imminent, as a cyclist, there are steps you can take to prevent some accidents or the severity of injuries. In California, all bikers must follow the already laid-down bike laws to protect themselves and others. Some of the laws in this legislation and other measures bikers need to take include:

• Wear protective gear, such as a helmet
• Be in reflective clothing when riding to facilitate visibility
• Make use of hand signals when making turns
• Avoid lane splitting or biking against traffic
• Check your bike’s condition before embarking on a ride; for example, the brakes
• When possible, make use of bike lanes/trails
• Be attentive while driving and avoid distractions like having earbuds in both ears
• Install headlights

You must think like a motorist while driving. This will help you to be more mindful of every action you may want to take when in traffic.

Injuries in a Pasadena Bicycle Accident

Unlike enclosed vehicles, bikers face an increased challenge—most parts of their bodies are susceptible to direct impact in the event of a collision. Therefore, even a “small collision” can cause the cyclist catastrophic injuries that can be life-changing. Our interest is to have you compensated for medical expenses (current and future) and any other damage caused by the accident. Some of these injuries might include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures
• Concussions and contusions
• Paralysis
• Head injuries
• Facial injuries

No matter how small you think the injury is after a bicycle crash, it’s prudent to always seek medical attention from your medical provider. In the unfortunate event that a loved one was involved in a bicycle accident but didn’t survive, we can help to file a wrongful death compensation claim.

Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in Pasadena, California

Technically, with California being an at-fault state, the responsible party for the accident is liable for paying the damages. If the crash involved a motor vehicle, you might file a compensation claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company for compensation. Below are a few damages you may be able to recover after a bicycle accident: 

• Medical expenses, including future costs
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Loss of joy in life
• Punitive damages

Aside from drivers causing bike accidents, other factors may also lead to a bicycle accident, such as poor road conditions, poorly repaired/designed bikes, dog attacks while cycling causing an accident, or pedestrians/other cyclists denying the right of way. Regardless of the party that caused an accident you were involved in, lawyers at Setareh Law can help file claims against them.

Crucially, you should note that you have only two years from the date of the bicycle accident to file a compensation claim in California. After the two-year window expires, you’ll no longer have the legal ability to recover damages for injuries and other losses. Therefore, the earlier, the better.

Consult an Expert Pasadena Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Setareh Law

We understand that your injuries from a bicycle accident have caused much pain and financial loss. It’s in your best interest to let someone handle the compensation or court case on your behalf so that you’re left with enough time to heal and recover. With a lawyer, you can be sure they’ll fight for you with your interests at heart to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident in Pasadena, get in touch with a lawyer at Setareh Law for a free consultation. Our years of experience have taught us lessons from previous cases with our clients that may come in handy in your situation. Call us at 310-659-1826 or fill out our contact form.

We also speak Spanish.