Los Angeles has some of the most optimal conditions for bike riding in the country, with its beautiful scenic views, hundreds of miles of paths and trails, and a warm, sunny climate. But the flip side of that is the sheer number of other vehicles that a bike rider will come in contact with. Los Angeles is also known the world over for its traffic and congestion, meaning that the probability for accidents is also quite high.
Unfortunately, the nature of bicycle accidents can often lead to fatal injuries. This is largely due to the fact that being on a bicycle and getting struck by a moving vehicle offers little to no protection for you. As such, any number of fatal injuries can occur.
Free Consultations With Dedicated Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Maison Law knows how difficult and tragic a fatal bicycle accident can be. These devastating accidents lead to circumstances that make things difficult for your surviving loved ones, often leaving them with several unanswered questions as they try to move on with their lives.
Our team of dedicated Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers are well versed in California’s personal injury laws and although we can never help you get your loved one back, we can make sure that you and your family are taken care of in the aftermath of a fatal accident.
Our ultimate goal is to provide you with peace of mind in an extremely difficult time. To learn how we can help you, contact us for a free consultation.
Are Fatal Bicycle Accidents Common in Los Angeles?
Unfortunately, the same factors that make bicycling in Los Angeles popular-great weather, economical, and spectacular health benefits-can also lead to suffering a fatal accident. After all, there are huge numbers of drivers on Los Angeles’ numerous roadways, and not every driver stays focused on their surroundings.
At the same time, bicyclists are at a disadvantage when it comes to an accident with a car, simply because a bike offers almost no protection in the event of a collision.
All these factors play into the statistics computed by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, which found that there were 106 fatal bike accidents in Los Angeles County between 2016 and 2018.
With such prevalence, it’s no surprise that bicyclists in Los Angeles have to be hypervigilant of other drivers on the road. Still, no matter how careful they are, fatal accidents can still happen.
What Causes Fatal Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles?
The causes of fatal bicycle accidents aren’t unlike other accidents involving cars where driver error and negligence factor heavily into the equation.
The difference is that bicycle accidents are far worse for the person on the bicycle than the driver of the car because of the vast difference in size and speed between the car and the bike.
Most often, fatal bicycle accidents in Los Angeles involve one or multiple of the following scenarios:
- Poor visibility – This is often the most common cause of bicycle accidents. Bicyclists have a much smaller profile than cars and are often riding in the driver’s blind spot. Add in other factors, like distracted driving or failure to yield, and drivers often collide with bicyclists. Even in collisions where there is little speed, fatal injuries can occur when the person is thrown off the bike or is struck in the head or chest by parts of the moving car.
- Reckless driving – Impatient drivers often trail too closely behind bikes, then speed up to try to pass, or swerve out of their lane to stay away from a bicyclist.These maneuvers often cause accidents, especially if the person on the bike is on a major roadway. Sometimes, drivers will act recklessly or react angrily when they have to share a lane with a bicycle, and this added speed or violence can result in a fatal collision.
- Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is among the leading causes of any type of car accident, and bicycle accidents are no exception. Driving under the influence means drivers are usually moving at much higher speeds and their reaction time is much slower. This can be devastating for a person on their bicycle, as the driver won’t be able to react to them in time and could cause a fatal accident.
- Inclement weather – While Los Angeles does indeed have some of the best weather and climates for riding a bicycle, it can also change quickly. The spring and summer months bring thunderstorms and rain in an instant, making visibility and maneuverability much more difficult for both cars and bikes. This means that accidents are much more likely to happen, and fatal accidents can occur when a car is unable to brake fast enough, or they lose control when trying to avoid a person on their bike.
Injuries are almost guaranteed in a bicycle accident, but when the injuries turn fatal, it becomes something else entirely. Losing your life or losing a loved one in a bicycle accident has unique challenges that must be faced in order to restore some normalcy.
Fatal Bicycle Injuries in Los Angeles
The leading cause of a fatality in a bicycle accident is a severe head injury. Even when a helmet is worn, your head cannot help but to be exposed when riding a bicycle. While a bicycle offers some protection to the chest and lower torso, but the head must rely solely on the helmet for protection.
Other common causes of fatal injuries in a bicycle accident include:
- Severe spinal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Lower abdominal injuries
- Organ failure
What Claim Do I Have in a Los Angeles Fatal Bike Accident?
When you or a loved one suffer a fatal bicycle accident, the most likely claim your surviving family members will have is a “wrongful death” claim. Wrongful death claims in California are made when your loved one dies as a result of:
- Another person or entity’s wrongful act or negligence.
In a fatal bicycle injury, the driver that caused the accident will likely be at-fault for your family’s damages, which can include the following:
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Loss of companionship
- Any pain and suffering felt by the deceased before death
- Property damage
It’s important to understand that wrongful death claims, like other claims in California, have a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is simply the deadline for when you can file your lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of your loved one’s death.
Compassionate and Dedicated Representation For Fatal Bicycle Accident Victims in Los Angeles
A bicycle accident is troublesome for you or your loved ones under any circumstances, leading to injury and severe losses that have to be dealt with. But when you or a loved one suffers a fatal bicycle accident because of another person’s negligence, the situation becomes almost unbearable.
At Maison Law, we are proud to offer our legal expertise for victims that are going through this unthinkable tragedy. Our team of compassionate and dedicated Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers will be with you every step of the way as you try to gain some measure of support in this extremely difficult time.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.
