Maison Law represents injured bicycle accident victims in Glendale. Bicycle accidents are more common than you might think, especially in areas like Glendale with its endless supply of street and trail cycling routes. But despite the presence of dedicated bike lanes and safety laws, crashes between cyclists and motor vehicles still occur, resulting in severe, life-altering injuries.
At Maison Law, we stand up for injured bicyclists in Glendale and protect their right to compensation. If you’re suffering injuries, financial losses, and mental trauma from a bicycle accident, our firm can help protect you from liability and ensure you’re compensated.
To get immediate legal help for your situation, contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
How a Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Bicyclists in Glendale have the same legal rights and responsibilities as someone driving a car or truck on the road. So, if you were injured by another motorist, pedestrian, or hazard, then you are entitled to recover damages in the same way a car accident victim would. 
Unfortunately, recovering essential compensation can become challenging when insurance companies offer victims the lowest amount possible for their injuries. It can also be exceptionally difficult for bicyclists who are often blamed for causing accidents on the road.
That’s where Maison Law can help. Our firm will manage your accident claim and ensure the insurance company compensates you for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior (DUI, street racing)
- Actions performed out of spite
When Do I Need a Lawyer for a Glendale Bicycle Accident?
If you only suffered minor scrapes or bruises from a bicycle accident, you may not need a lawyer. However, you should contact an attorney after a bicycle accident if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
Glendale Bicycle Laws
California state law permits local governments to form their own bicycle laws. The city of Glendale provides their definition of what constitutes a bicycle in Glendale Ordinance 10.60.010, which states:
“Bicycle,” for the purpose of this chapter, means any device upon which any person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power through a belt, chain or gears, and having one or more wheels.
Glendale’s ordinances also specify that no person shall ride, operate, use or knowingly permit any other person to ride, operate or use upon any street in the city, any bicycle that is not registered with the city.
California Bicycle Laws
The following California bike laws must also be adhered to by Glendale bicyclists. These laws include:
- VEH 21202, cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except when passing, preparing for a left turn, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
- VEH 21960, bicycles, as well as motorized bicycles, may not be ridden on freeways and expressways as prohibited by the California Department of Transportation and local authorities.
- VEH 23330, bicyclists may not cross a toll bridge unless it is permitted by the California Department of Transportation.
- VEH 21201 (d) requires all bicycles to have a light when riding on a highway when it is dark.
- Electric bicycles are allowed wherever regular bikes are allowed, except for Class 3 electric bicycles, which have restrictions, according to SB No. 1271.
- Bicyclists under the age of 18 are required by Vehicle Code 21212 to wear helmets at all times
So, if you’re in violation of any of the above laws and you get into an accident and suffer injuries, it can be challenging to recover damages. However, even if you are in violation of the law when getting into an accident, you are still entitled to compensation. If you’re unsure about your situation, please do not hesitate to contact and one of our attorneys will be happy to discuss your legal options.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Glendale
According to the National Library of Medicine, distracted driving bicycle accidents are the leading causes of bicycle injuries and fatalities. 33.8% of bicycle accidents are caused by distracted drivers, predominantly occurring between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight. Bicyclists are also more likely to be hit at crosswalks than at any other part of the road. Other common reasons for bicycle accidents include:
- Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in Glendale. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
- Moving violations: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): this careless action is one of the leading causes of fatal bicycle accidents in Glendale.
Types of Bikeways in Glendale
Whether you’re looking for an easy bike path or a quick bike route to get to work, Glendale offers numerous bikeways throughout the city. The four types of bikeways in Glendale are defined as follows:
- Class 1: standard bike path that provides bicycle travel on a paved right-of-way completely separated from any street or highway. An example includes the Los Angeles River Bike Path.
- Class 2: referred to as a “bike lane,” a Class II bikeway provides a striped and line-drawn for one-way travel on the street or highway. Examples include Glenwood Road from Grandview Avenue to Virginia Avenue, and on Honolulu Place from Honolulu Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue.
- Class 3: this is generally referred to as a “bike route,” this bikeway is for shared use with pedestrians or motor vehicle traffic, which is identified by signage. These are typically found on roadway routes that are signed but not necessarily separated from traffic.
- Class 4: cycle tracks or separated bikeways provide a right-of-way for exclusive bicycle travel, typically adjacent to a roadway and protected from vehicular traffic. These are on-street facilities reserved for bicyclists with physical separation from vehicle traffic, such as curbs, bollards, or landscaping.
How Road Hazards Cause Bicycle Accidents
The city of Glendale has numerous construction projects impacting the streets. A list of the city’s current projects can be found here. While this may create hazards for drivers, it is especially dangerous for cyclists who could potentially be injured by a careless construction crew or motorist. Road hazards can form over time or all of a sudden, but their usual cause is due to someone neglecting to repair them, or make sure they won’t cause harm to another person. 
For cyclists, hazardous conditions can make it difficult to stay upright and avoid falling or colliding with other riders, or passing vehicles. A hazard like a pothole will force cyclists to:
- Lose traction: The uneven terrain or sudden drop of a pothole can reduce tire traction. Without tire traction, a cyclist is unable to maneuver safely or control where they are going, increasing the risk of a serious accident.
- Balance disruption: Sudden road surface changes like potholes can significantly impact a rider’s balance. Most cyclists are balancing on two tires at all times, so the slightest disruption can easily lead to them losing control of the bike.
- Sudden stopping: If a cyclist notices a pothole at the last minute, they may be forced to make a sudden stop. Even if they avoid a pothole, a sudden stop could send them over their handlebars and into the road.
Who is Liable for a Bicycle Accident Caused by a Pothole?
Determining liability for a bicycle accident caused pot hole can be difficult, but ultimately, the party responsible will be discovered by the details of the accident. For example, a road or sidewalk could be maintained by the following parties:
- Government entity: city or state agencies in California are typically responsible for the maintenance of the roadways, so if a pothole is left unattended, the government could be held liable.
- Construction companies: if a construction zone is poorly marked or maintained, resulting in a hazardous pothole, they can be held responsible for their careless actions.
- Private property owners: if a road hazard is on private property, such as a parking lot or driveway, the owner may be at fault if they fail to maintain the area.
Potholes left in the road are considered a premises liability because someone has allowed public or private property to be unsafe. So, once it is determined who is at fault, they can be served with a premises liability lawsuit. If you believe you a premises liability caused your bicycle accident, then please don’t hesitate to call, text, or stop by our offices for a free case review.
Hit and Run Bicycle Accidents in Glendale
If you were injured by a vehicle while you were riding your bike and they failed to render aid, or identify themselves, then they can be charged with a hit-and-run. While the law handles senseless acts like a hit-and-run on a bicyclist, we protect injured bicyclists’ right to compensation after they’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident. 
According to California Vehicle Code 20002, individuals are prohibited from leaving the scene of an accident without identifying themselves to others involved when someone else’s property was damaged. This law applies to car accidents as well as other modes of transport and is considered a misdemeanor. However, if any person is injured or killed in the hit-and-run accident, then the penalty is upgraded to a felony hit-and-run. A person is guilty of a hit-and-run if:
- They leave the accident scene
- Fail to identify themselves to the others involved
- Damage occurred to someone else’s property, or someone was injured or killed, and they fled the scene
How to Strengthen Your Glendale Bicycle Accident Injury Claim
If you suffer a bicycle crash injury, seek medical attention immediately. Nothing is more important than your health. Call out to another cyclist or pedestrian to help you get immediate medical attention. After you get medical care, it is recommended to:
- Report the injury to police: It is recommended to always call the police after an accident. A police report will serve as evidence, as well as assign liability to one party or the other.
- Take your own photos of the scene and get witness statements. Any evidence you can gather to support your claim will come in handy later, especially if you decide to take legal action to pursue compensation.
- Follow up on your injuries with a doctor. Any injuries you’ve sustained from your accident will become a part of your case, and you will need a doctor to corroborate your injuries. Insurance companies will not consider compensating your injuries without verifiable medical documentation.
- Contact Maison Law to protect your rights to compensation. Most accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by the incident and fail to realize the enormous impact a serious bicycle injury can have on their lives. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your options and get you the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Glendale Bicycle Accident?
There is no set dollar amount for the trauma and pain experienced by bicycle accident victims. However, an experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer will help you understand the value of your case by calculating your economic damages (such as lost wages and medical bills) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety). These damages combined include:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Contact a Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident in Glendale, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Maison Law can help. We understand how traumatic a bike accident can be, especially when you have to fight with the insurance company to get what you’re owed. But you’re not alone in this fight.
Maison Law is here to help restore your life and protect your right to the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Our firm has years of experience taking on the insurance company to protect the rights of injured bicyclists.
If you’re concerned about the financial, physical, and mental impact a bicycle accident has had on your life, contact Maison Law today. We offer all injured victims a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no hidden fees for our services and you will only be charged once we win your case.
