Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles carries heavy traffic day and night up from the coast, across Westwood, into Beverly Hills and downtown, and through Koreatown. Its 16-mile stretch can be dangerous for anyone in a car, SUV, or truck. That means, despite its sporadic bike lanes, Wilshire Boulevard definitely carries hazards for anyone on a bicycle.
Until the city commits to further street upgrades to increase cycling safety along Wilshire, bicycle accident numbers will remain high along this corridor.
A Free Consultation for Wilshire Boulevard Bicycle Accident Victims
If you or a loved one are hurt in a bicycle collision along Wilshire Boulevard’s narrow lanes, don’t trust an insurance company to automatically provide the support you need. They may present a hastily prepared settlement offer, but please take the time to consult with a legal professional before you sign away your rights on a “lowball” offer.
Talk over your case with a skilled Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer in a free consultation. It’s a critical step in determining what you’ll need to rebuild your life and get back on your bike again. Maison Law is a strong advocate for ride safety for all cyclists. We are also proud sponsors of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. We strive to see injured cyclists get the support they need to make a full physical and financial recovery.
Cycling Dangers on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles
Along sections of Wilshire Boulevard without bike lanes, curbs are high and lanes are narrow. Between parked buses and delivery trucks, cyclists can have a really unpleasant ride ahead of them. And bike lanes don’t always protect them from careless and thoughtless drivers.
Drivers glancing at texts can miss the rider alongside them or just behind them. The motorist begins a right turn and presents a wall of metal for the cyclist planning to go straight through an intersection. These types of careless mistakes endanger the lives of cyclists each day.
The intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Koreatown is one of the worst spots for car collisions in all of Los Angeles. Motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bike riders are all in jeopardy as six lanes of traffic travel in each direction across this scary crossroads.
Cyclists are considered cars when they must travel in motor-vehicle lanes. Drivers must share the lane with cyclists when there are no bike lanes, always providing at least three feet of space. All California motorists are under a legal “duty of care” to monitor for cyclists and to slow down to prevent the possibility of a collision. They must hit the brakes even if cyclists aren’t following traffic laws.
Drivers are still responsible for collisions and they can be held fully liable for injuries suffered in a Wilshire Boulevard cycling accident.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident on Wilshire Boulevard
Bicycle accident victims need to get the most out of their injury claims because they can’t ever be sure of what injury complications might lie down the road. Injury flare-ups, additional surgeries, and extended physical therapy could still be in the cards for a victim of a serious Los Angeles cycling injury.
To maximize a bicycle accident insurance settlement, you must collect strong evidence right there on the Wilshire Boulevard scene if you are physically able. This initial effort secures valuable proof of what happened, making it harder for an insurance company to question and reject your claim.
Try to complete these important tasks in the moments after your accident:
- Secure yourself first. If you are left down in a lane, move out of the way of cars if you are able. This is especially important at night on Wilshire Boulevard when victims are at risk of going unseen and being struck by other cars.
- Call 911. Let paramedics check every place you feel pain. Tell the police everything you remember about your cycling accident in detail. Officers will create a collision report that details who was at fault.
- Ask for help. If you must go to the emergency room, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to collect evidence for you.
- Take pictures. Use your photo and video app to document the scene. Show bike and car damage, including broken glass and dents in cars. Get images of bike lanes, lane markings, and traffic signs. At night, show any streetlights in the area (or lack of them) on the scene. Get pics of any injuries that are visible and any damage to clothing. If you have a helmet on, get a photo.
- Talk to witnesses to find out what they saw. They may have observed the motorist behaving carelessly or recklessly. Get contact information so your Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer can reach out to them later.
- Exchange information with the driver if investigating officers do not provide it to you. Don’t discuss who was to blame for the accident or how badly you are injured with the at-fault motorist. Insurance companies can use these statements against you later.
- Schedule a medical check-up with your own doctor. Get every injury and pain documented. Follow the doctor’s orders and see any recommended specialists.
- Keep any personal items damaged in the collision, including your damaged bicycle. Keep all evidence.
Compensation for Victims and Families After a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident
When Wilshire Boulevard bicycle accident victims file a claim against an insurance company, they’ll be seeking support for every hardship they’ve faced. This will include asking for economic help with all current medical bills and those expected in the future. Victims can ask for full reimbursement for the time at work they’ve missed and will miss.
Victims are also empowered to ask for non-economic damages, such as support for physical pain endured. There’s also support available for the emotional trauma victims must deal with. Anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms can arise from the events of an accident or in a difficult recovery. The agony of not being able to return to the road for a ride will truly affect a victim’s enjoyment of life.
Families forced to say goodbye to a loved one killed in a fatal cycling accident can ask for support through a wrongful death claim. This claim seeks help with paying funeral costs and any remaining medical bills. A wrongful death claim also seeks to protect close relatives in the future when they’ll have lost the guidance and financial support a victim can no longer provide.
Contact a Wilshire Boulevard Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law of Los Angeles for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your bicycle accident injury is worth and what you should be holding an insurance company to. Don’t depend on an insurance adjuster to tell you about your rights and every benefit available to you and your family.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, fights to make sure Wilshire bicycle accident victims are never left to face the consequences of a careless driver’s mistake alone. Cyclists must receive full support from the moment an injury occurs until the day victims can return to their bikes and the rides they love.
