Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Riding bicycles in Los Angeles offers numerous benefits. It’s an excellent way to get around the city, it is a tremendous form of exercise, and it has rejuvenating effects for your mental health. Riding around our beautiful city on a bicycle is definitely a popular option, especially considering the amount of traffic that can sometimes make traveling from place to place by car difficult.

But because bicycle riding is such a popular mode of transportation in Los Angeles, it means that other bicyclists are taking many of the same roads that you are. And this can lead to bicycle accidents between you and other bicyclists. While the vast majority of bike accidents in Los Angeles involve a bicyclist and a person in a vehicle, these bicycle versus bicycle accidents still happen more frequently than you might think.

Experienced and Dedicated Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Attorney Martin Gasparian and his firm, Maison Law, have years of experience with Los Angeles bicycle accidents. Through the years, we have handled all manner of different types of accidents, including bicycle versus bicycle accidents.  This experience has given us insight into how to approach these cases, and how to help you and our other clients get the compensation you deserve.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation

What Causes Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles?

As the term suggests, a bike versus bike accident occurs when one bicyclist collides or causes an accident with another bicyclist. This is different from the majority of bicycle accidents, which involve either another car or no contact.

Some of the more common causes of bike versus bike accidents include:

• Competitive riding
• Mechanical or equipment failure
• Environmental hazards, like objects in the road, loose gravel, or poor road maintenance.
• Lack of bike path or poor maintenance of a bike path
• Losing control of the bicycle
• Not wearing a bike helmet
• Riding at high speeds
• Inexperience in riding and navigating roadways
• Alcohol and drug use

While this list covers most of the common causes of bike versus bike accidents, every accident is unique. One or multiple causes may lead to a bike versus bike accident, but one thing is certain, you’re going to need to figure out who was at fault to recover any damages.

How Are Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accidents Different From Other Accidents in Los Angeles?

The major difference between a bike versus bike accident and a normal accident is how you go about recovering damages for your injuries.

• In a normal bicycle accident with another vehicle, you would typically file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance carrier. However, in a bike versus bike accident that causes injuries, you don’t have this option.

Path to Compensation In a Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accident

Your path to compensation for your injuries and damages is much different than in a normal bicycle accident claim.

• Other Bicyclists’ Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance – Most claims for damages in a bike versus bike accident come from the other bicyclists’ homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Typically, these policies include liability coverage for injuries and damages inflicted by the policy holder in certain circumstances, such as a bike accident.
• No Insurance coverage – However, If the other bicyclists has no applicable insurance, you may have to proceed with filing a personal injury lawsuit against him or her. However, the strength of such a claim will depend on many additional factors, like your percentage of fault and the circumstances around the accident itself.
• Your own insurance – Another avenue you can take if the at-fault party has no applicable insurance is to file a claim with your own homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Like any other claim, though, getting compensation from an insurance company can be quite difficult. Adjusters, even for your own policy, may try to devalue your claim, or may offer a very low settlement for your damages.

Even though a bike versus bike accident differs from others, the results are often the same: injuries. Worse yet, many of the same injuries that occur in other bike accidents apply in bike versus bike accidents because there are similar factors in play.

Bicycle Versus Bicycle Injuries in Los Angeles

When you’ve been in a bike versus bike accident, you are very likely facing serious injuries. This is due to the fact that a collision or losing control while you’re on a bicycle puts you at an immediate disadvantage in terms of physics and protection. What results are injuries, that typically include:

• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Dislocated joints
• Serious cuts & bruises
• Wrongful death

After a bike versus bike accident, you will want to get to safety if you’re able. If you’re seriously injured, it’s best to wait until paramedics arrive on the scene so they can properly care for you. While your health is the top priority, there are other actions you can take after a bike versus bike accident to preserve your claim.

What Steps Do I Need To Take After a Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accident?

A bicycle accident caused by another cyclist can happen anywhere, such as on a San Diego bike trail, during a group cycling event or at a stop sign or red light. However, even though it may seem like you can trust a fellow cyclist to take responsibility, you should still take steps to preserve evidence, including:

• Seek Medical Care – A bike versus bike accident is not unlike other accidents in that the first thing you should do is to seek medical care. This will give you an idea of the extent of your injuries, as well as put a treatment plan in place. Also, it provides a clear medical record for any potential lawsuit or insurance claim.
• Talk to witnesses – A witness can provide a clear, true version of any bike versus bike accident. This is especially true if the other bicyclist was not wearing a helmet or tries to misconstrue the events that led up to the accident to deny liability. If your bike versus bike accident happened at a race or group cycling event, your injuries may be more serious, but there will also be plenty of witnesses to the accident.
• Get the at-fault cyclist’s information – This is an obvious step, no different than any other accident. However, because bike versus bike accidents don’t involve car insurance, it may be a bit more difficult to get the at-fault cyclists information. Still, just having basic contact details and the name of their carrier is usually enough to get to the right policy.
• Take pictures and videos – If you’re able, you’ll want to carefully document the scene after a bike versus bike accident by taking photos and videos of the area, your own injuries, and any damage to your bike. This will be important evidence in your eventual insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
• Do not repair your bike – Make sure to keep your bike, helmet, and any other equipment from being in exactly the same condition as it was after the accident. Most likely, the insurance company may want to inspect the damage before making a settlement offer.

While these steps are important, another crucial part of your claim will be having the right team by your side. There’s no legal requirement for having a lawyer in a bike versus bike accident claim, but our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can make the process much easier for you.

Speak With Dedicated Los Angeles Bicycle Versus Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

Although a bike versus bike accident is different from other bike accidents that happen in Los Angeles, what is not different is the consequences. These usually include injuries, damage to your property, and emotional turmoil. Dealing with an insurance company is a necessary step in recovering compensation for your damages in these types of accidents, but the entire situation is one that you don’t want to face alone.

That’s where the team of dedicated Los Angeles bike versus bike accident lawyers can help. We will stand with you every step of the way, handling the responsibilities of your claim to allow you to focus on your physical and mental recovery. If you would like to get started with a free consultation, contact us today.