Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In Los Angeles
Cyclists in Los Angeles share busy streets, intersections, bike lanes, residential roads, and commercial corridors with cars, trucks, buses, rideshare vehicles, and parked automobiles every day. Because a bicycle offers little physical protection, a collision caused by an unsafe turn, distracted driver, opening car door, or other traffic movement can result in significant injuries.
DAG Law Firm, APC represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents throughout Los Angeles and California. Learn more about our California bicycle accident practice. You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Call (323) 930-2020 or contact DAG Law Firm today to discuss your situation.
Drivers Turning Across A Cyclist’s Path
Bicycle accidents can occur when a driver turns across the path of a cyclist at an intersection, driveway, parking lot entrance, or side street. A motorist may misjudge the cyclist’s speed or fail to recognize that the bicycle is approaching before beginning the turn.
Vehicle movement, traffic signals, witness statements, photographs, and available video may help provide context about how the collision occurred.
Distracted Driving And Bicycle Accidents
Drivers who are focused on phones, navigation systems, conversations, or other distractions may fail to notice a cyclist traveling nearby.
Even a brief loss of attention can become important when a driver is turning, changing lanes, or approaching an intersection. Learn more about bicycle accidents caused by distracted drivers in California.
Dooring Accidents On Los Angeles Streets
Dooring accidents happen when someone opens a vehicle door into the path of an approaching cyclist. A rider may strike the door directly or move suddenly into nearby traffic while trying to avoid it.
These accidents can occur along streets where bicycle traffic passes next to parked vehicles. Learn more about dooring bicycle accidents in California.
Intersections And Bicycle Collisions
Intersections require cyclists and motorists to respond to traffic signals, turning vehicles, pedestrians, and vehicles approaching from different directions.
A bicycle collision may involve a driver who fails to yield, turns unexpectedly, enters the intersection, or does not recognize the cyclist in time. The specific lane positions, signal sequence, visibility, and movements involved may all matter.
Bike Lanes And Vehicles Entering The Cyclist’s Space
Bike lanes can separate some bicycle traffic from ordinary vehicle travel, but cyclists still encounter cars entering or crossing those areas to park, turn, reach a driveway, or move around traffic.
A painted bike lane does not eliminate the risk of collision. Drivers and cyclists may still interact closely at intersections, parking areas, and other points where travel paths cross.
Hit-And-Run Bicycle Accidents
Some drivers leave the scene after striking a cyclist. A hit-and-run can create immediate questions about identifying the vehicle, locating witnesses, finding video footage, and determining what insurance coverage may be available.
Nearby businesses, residences, dashboard cameras, or other sources may sometimes provide useful information. Learn more about hit-and-run bicycle accidents in California.
Common Injuries After A Bicycle Accident
Cyclists may suffer fractures, shoulder injuries, knee and leg injuries, road rash, neck and back trauma, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious conditions.
Some injuries may require emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, or significant time away from work. Learn more about common injuries in California bicycle accident cases.
Evidence After A Los Angeles Bicycle Accident
Evidence may include photographs of the bicycle, vehicle damage, roadway conditions, witness information, collision reports, medical records, damaged clothing or equipment, and surveillance or dashboard-camera footage when available.
Evidence can become more difficult to obtain with time. Video may be overwritten, roadway conditions can change, and witnesses may become harder to locate. Keeping available information organized can help preserve a clearer record of what occurred.
Liability And Insurance Questions
Responsibility for a bicycle accident may involve a driver, multiple motorists, or another party depending on the circumstances. A cyclist’s location on the roadway or within a bike lane does not by itself answer every question about responsibility.
Learn more about who may be liable after a California bicycle accident and California bicycle laws cyclists should know. How those issues affect a particular case depends on the facts.
Resources And How DAG Law Firm Can Help
DAG Law Firm, APC represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents in Los Angeles and throughout California. Our team can review how a collision occurred, available photographs and video, witness information, injuries, medical treatment, insurance coverage, lost income, and other circumstances that may affect an individual case.
Learn more about what to do after a bicycle accident, bicycle accident liability, California bicycle laws, distracted-driver bicycle crashes, dooring accidents, hit-and-run bicycle accidents, and deadlines that may apply after a bicycle accident.
You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Call (323) 930-2020 or contact DAG Law Firm today to discuss a Los Angeles bicycle accident.
