Maison Law can guide you through the claims process when you’re hurt in a bicycle accident in Manhattan Beach. Just like other South Bay communities, Manhattan Beach is a great place to ride a bike. Whether you’re out on The Strand, heading to the pier, or using your bike to get around town, most rides end without any problems. But it only takes one careless driver to change that. We can help you through the aftermath. Set up a free consultation today to talk it over.
Talking to a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident
No matter how experienced or careful you are on your bicycle, an accident can turn an ordinary ride upside down in seconds. One minute you’re riding to the beach, and the next you’re on the ground, hurt, and trying to piece together what just happened.
That can be incredibly difficult after one of these accidents, and that’s usually the point where talking a lawyer starts to make sense, and then, we can help by:
- Explaining your rights in plain language so you know what to expect
- Looking into what caused the accident itself and who might be responsible
- Handling the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you don’t have to
- Pulling together all the pictures, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence to support your claim
After a bicycle accident, the last thing you need is more stress. That’s why we try to simplify the process as much as possible. It gives you the space you need to focus on getting better.
Information That Can Help After a Bicycle Accident
Right after your bicycle accident, you’re not thinking about collecting information. You’re probably just trying to figure out what happened, and rightfully so. Your focus should be on calling 911 and getting help from EMTs and police. But this is also a crucial time for getting some basic information that you’ll need later, like:
- Pictures/videos of the scene, especially damage to your bicycle, the car, the surrounding road conditions, any signs, and anything else that shows what things looked like
- Contact information for any witnesses or bystanders. It’s also a good idea to note any nearby traffic cameras or businesses in case they have video footage
- The driver’s license, registration, contact, and insurance information
Yes, these things are important. But they’re not more important than your health and safety. Once paramedics get there, let them take care of your injuries and take you to the hospital. From that point, though, there’s more things to think about getting as they come in later, like:
- Medical records that connect your injuries to the accident
- The police report, which serves as an official record of the accident itself
- Notes about what you’re dealing with, especially any pain or day-to-day changes to your life
- Pay stubs and work schedules if there’s any financial impact from missed work
- Camera footage from those nearby traffic cameras or businesses. We can track them down, but the challenge is that they’re not available for long
Keep in mind that you may not be able to get all of this yourself—and that’s okay. We can take the lead on getting these things for you, then putting them all together to paint a clearer picture about what happened and who might be responsible.
How to Figure Out Who Might Be Responsible For My Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident sounds pretty straightforward: a driver hits you, and their insurance pays for your injuries and other losses. Sometimes that’s exactly how it works. Most of the time, though, bicycle accident claims are a lot more complicated than they first seem, especially once an insurance company gets involved.
But legally, it still comes down to showing that someone was being careless and that led to your injuries. In a typical bicycle accident, that could fall on:
- Drivers who were distracted, speeding, under the influence, or failed to yield to you.
- Government agencies that didn’t maintain roads, repair problems, or keep bike lanes safe.
- Other cyclists or pedestrians who were being careless.
Obviously, bike accidents aren’t always that simple in real life. A lot of the time, there’s more than one person or group that shares the responsibility, which usually means a lot of finger-pointing. Even so, that doesn’t change your ability to file a claim and get help.
What Your Options Are For Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim
No matter who ultimately caused your injuries, your actual options are still the same. You can file an injury claim and get financial support through insurance or through a lawsuit. The choice is up to you, but it’s worth looking at the differences:
- Filing an insurance claim. Most things start with an insurance claim. It’s typically the quickest path toward getting financial help, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Insurance companies control the process, and get to decide what to offer you in terms of a settlement.
- Filing a lawsuit. If the insurance company won’t make a fair settlement offer—or if the available insurance simply isn’t enough—you can move on to a lawsuit. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end up in court. Most lawsuits settle before trial, but filing one usually gives you the chance to get more evidence and information, and also has the added benefit of taking the control out of the insurance company’s hands.
With either option, the goal is the same: financial support relating to your:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Bicycle repair or replacement
- Damaged riding equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal bicycle accident cases
California generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, just like other accidents. But again, the longer you wait, the harder the claims process can be.
Where Will I Find Bicycle Lanes and Routes in Manhattan Beach?
Because bike riding is such an integral part of life in Manhattan Beach, it’s not all that surprising that there’s so many popular spots and routes for riders. But like other cities, bike lanes and routes are split into else, there’s
- Marvin Braude Bike Trail. This is a Class I Bike Path, and it runs parallel to The Strand. It connects Manhattan Beach with Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Venice, and Santa Monica.
You’ll also find dedicated Class II and Class III bike lanes on many of the city’s major streets, like:
- Valley Drive
- Manhattan Beach Boulevard
- Rosecrans Avenue
- Aviation Boulevard
- Marine Avenue
- Portions of Sepulveda Boulevard
Obviously, riding in a bike lane or on Marvin Braude Trail is generally safer than sharing the road with moving traffic. But it’s important to remember that bike accidents still happen, and when they do, our team will be there to guide and support you through the aftermath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the driver says the accident was my fault?
This is unfortunately common with a bike accident, but it doesn’t mean that it’s true. You can use the information you have and things we can help you get to put together a clear picture of what actually happened, and who was actually at fault.
What if it was a hit-and-run?
You still have options. Uninsured motorist coverage, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence may help identify the driver or support your claim if they can’t be located.
Do I need to report my bicycle accident?
Yes, because calling the police creates an official record of what happened. Then, when they create an accident report, you can use that as evidence in your insurance claim.
Maison Law Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Manhattan Beach
When you’re hurt in a bicycle accident, your focus should be on getting better—not dealing with insurance companies or trying to get information while you’re just trying to get back on your feet.
At Maison Law, our Manhattan Beach bicycle accident lawyers can take care of the legal side while you focus on healing. If you have questions about your options or simply want to know what comes next, set up a free consultation today.
