If you were injured in a bicycle accident in El Segundo, California, you may be entitled to compensation. Call J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (323) 284-2834. Our El Segundo bicycle accident lawyers can help you file a claim and work toward putting as much monetary damages into your pocket as we can.
We are a top-rated personal injury law firm serving El Segundo and the greater South Bay area. You can count on us to help you make the most of your ability to take legal action. We’re ready to fight for your rights immediately.
Why Hire J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers After a Bicycle Accident in El Segundo, California?
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is passionate about representing accident victims in El Segundo, CA. We’ve successfully taken on powerful insurance companies in cases like these time and time again, and we are confident that we can do the same for you if you decide to hire us.
Here is what makes our El Segundo personal injury lawyers the right choice after a bicycle accident:
- Two decades of combined experience handling serious personal injury cases in California, led by award-winning attorney Jura Hartley
- A track record that includes tens of millions recovered for our clients
- Trial-tested attorneys who prepare every case as if it is headed in front of a jury
- In-depth knowledge of California bicycle laws and how they apply to accident claims
- A commitment to investigating every angle of your case to identify all of the responsible parties
Contact our El Segundo bicycle accident attorneys today to schedule your free case review. We can answer all of your questions when we sit down to go over the details of your case.
How Much Is My El Segundo Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Each bicycle accident case is different when it’s all said and done, and so there is no simple formula for determining what yours might be worth.
Some of the things our attorneys will look at include:
- The severity and long-term impact of your injuries
- Whether you will be able to make a full medical recovery
- The extent of your treatment so far and what future care you will need
- Whether you bear any share of responsibility for the accident
- The strength of the available evidence
- The at-fault party’s insurance coverage and policy limits
- Whether you are able to return to work, and in what capacity
If you have a qualified bicycle accident lawyer on your side, that can also influence what your claim is ultimately worth. A skilled attorney knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters and can bring in expert testimony when it makes a difference.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident in El Segundo?
If you file a claim against the at-fault driver, you can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Together, these are known as compensatory damages.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Costs of ongoing care and rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that are harder to quantify, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be available in rare cases where the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness, such as driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in El Segundo?
Most bicycle accident lawyers in El Segundo work on a contingency fee basis. You do not have to pay anything up front, and you will not owe any hourly rates or flat fees while your case is in progress. You only pay attorney’s fees if your lawyer successfully recovers compensation on your behalf.
This arrangement makes it possible to hire a respected personal injury attorney regardless of your current financial situation. It also means your lawyer has every incentive to maximize the value of your claim, because their payment depends directly on the outcome.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Bicycle Accident in El Segundo?
It can affect your right to compensation, but California is one of the most favorable states in the country for accident victims when it comes to shared fault. The state follows a pure comparative negligence law, which means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the crash.
Under this system, your damages are usually reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 20% at fault, for example, your total compensation could be reduced by 20%. Unlike many other states, California does not typically impose a cutoff point. Even if you share a majority of the blame, you can generally still recover a portion of your damages.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in California
Bicycle accidents can leave riders with serious injuries because they have little protection against the force of a larger vehicle, the pavement, or a fixed object. Even a low-speed crash can require emergency care, time away from work, and ongoing treatment.
Common injuries in California bicycle accident cases include:
- Road rash and severe skin abrasions
- Collarbone and shoulder injuries
- Dental injuries and facial trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken wrists, arms, legs, or ribs
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Knee, ankle, and soft tissue injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Wrongful death in fatal bicycle accidents
Some injuries heal with proper treatment, while others may cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent disability.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in El Segundo
El Segundo’s busy streets and proximity to major thoroughfares create a challenging environment for cyclists.
Some of the most frequent causes of bicycle accidents in the area include:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making a right turn directly into a cyclist’s path, commonly known as a “right hook”
- Opening a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Unsafe lane changes without checking for cyclists
- Drunk driving
- Poor road conditions
- Infrastructure hazards
You may be owed compensation no matter how your accident happened.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in California?
The statute of limitations in California generally gives you two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file within that window, you could lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances, such as if the injured person is a minor. We recommend contacting our bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident so that your claim is filed correctly and on time.
California Bicycle Laws You Should Know About
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers per California Vehicle Code Section 21200. That means you are legally entitled to use the road, and drivers are required to share it with you safely.
A few of the most important bicycle laws in California include:
- Three-foot passing law: Drivers must leave at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist. If that is not possible due to road conditions, the driver must slow down and only pass when it is safe to do so.
- Dooring law: It is illegal to open a vehicle door into the path of oncoming traffic, including bicycles. Dooring accidents are one of the most common types of bicycle crashes in urban areas.
- Bike lane usage: Cyclists traveling slower than traffic must generally use designated bike lanes when available. However, you are allowed to leave the bike lane to avoid hazards, pass another cyclist, or prepare for a turn.
If a driver violates any of these laws and injures you as a result, that violation can serve as evidence of negligence in your case. Our El Segundo personal injury attorneys understand how to use these statutes to build a compelling claim on your behalf.
Contact Our El Segundo Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you or a loved one injured in a bicycle accident in El Segundo, California? You deserve a legal team that will fight for the full value of your claim while you focus on getting better. J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can do exactly that on your behalf and handle your case from start to finish.
Our El Segundo bicycle accident attorneys have the experience and the results to back up that commitment. Call today to learn more and to schedule your free case review.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Firm Located in El Segundo, CA
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers
880 Apollo St, El Segundo, CA 90245
(323) 284-2834