Manhattan Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Manhattan Beach, CA

Many people living and working in the Manhattan Beach, CA, area use bicycles every day. Some ride their bikes for exercise or fun, while others use them to get to work, reduce carbon emissions, and stay in shape for their commutes. Whatever your reasons for riding your bike in Los Angeles, it’s important to recognize the risks you face when it comes to accidents with motor vehicle drivers.

Legal Counsel for Bicycle Accident Victims in Manhattan Beach, CA

Bicyclists are granted many of the same rights and are expected to uphold many of the same responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers in California. Unfortunately, not all bicyclists are aware of their obligations, and not all drivers extend bicyclists the courtesies they should on the road. Bicycle accidents happen in many ways, but when one party’s negligent or intentionally harmful actions cause a bicycle accident, the victim needs to know their legal options to ensure accountability.

Shaffer Law is a full-service personal injury law firm providing legal counsel to clients in the Manhattan Beach area. If you or someone you love recently sustained injuries in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, we can help you prove liability and hold them accountable for your damages. Our firm has successfully represented many past bicycle accident claims, and we’re ready to leverage this experience on your behalf.

Why Do I Need a Manhattan Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If a driver hits you while riding your bike, their fault may seem perfectly clear to you at first, and you may assume that you can hold them accountable for your damages by yourself. However, even a seemingly straightforward civil claim can generate complex legal questions the average person may not know how to address on their own. Even if they manage to hold the defendant accountable without an attorney, they risk settling for less compensation than they should due to a lack of awareness of the recovery options available to them.

Most personal injury claims filed in California end in a private settlement, but a complex case can proceed to litigation in some situations. Shaffer Law has extensive experience with personal injury settlement negotiations, and we’re not afraid to represent our clients in intense litigation whenever necessary. So, whatever your bicycle accident case may entail, you can approach the situation with confidence when you have an experienced Manhattan Beach bike accident attorney handling your case.

Proving Liability for a Bicycle Accident

All bicyclists in California have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, with a few exceptions. For example, bicyclists cannot take their bikes on highways, freeways, or other roads designated as unsafe for cycling. Otherwise, bicyclists may take a lane in traffic, and they are expected to signal for turns and lane changes using hand signals. In addition, bicyclists should wear appropriate safety gear and make themselves noticeable to other drivers.

Unfortunately, even the most cautious bicyclists cannot anticipate the actions of some nearby drivers. Distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and illegal moving violations can easily result in bicycle accidents. Your Manhattan Beach bike accident lawyer will help you gather the evidence you need to prove fault for your recent bicycle accident, such as eyewitness statements, vehicle computer data, traffic camera footage, and cell phone records.

Success with your bicycle accident claim requires identifying the defendant or defendants you believe responsible for your damages and then proving the full extent of those damages. You must also clearly show that your damages would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence or intentional misconduct.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Damages

Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a bicyclist, the bicyclist is likely to suffer severe injuries, some of which can result in permanent disabilities. California personal injury law allows the plaintiff in a bicycle accident case to seek full repayment of all medical expenses incurred to treat the injuries sustained in their accidents. This includes long-term medical care costs when a victim has suffered a severe injury requiring ongoing care.

If a bicycle accident leaves a victim unable to work, the defendant is liable for their lost income. Additionally, the defendant could face liability for the plaintiff’s lost future earning capacity if the plaintiff cannot return to work due to the severity of their injuries. Depending on how much the plaintiff previously earned and how much they would have reasonably expected to earn in the future had their accident not occurred, this can account for a sizeable portion of the plaintiff’s final case award.

Plaintiffs in personal injury claims can also recover property losses, such as the cost of replacing a bicycle destroyed in an accident. Beyond these economic damages, California law allows plaintiffs to seek compensation for pain and suffering. A Manhattan Beach bicycle accident lawyer can assess the severity of their client’s injuries, the long-term damages they face, and whether their injuries caused any permanent damage to determine a reasonable amount of pain and suffering to seek on behalf of the client. There are no caps on non-economic damages in California personal injury claims, with the sole exception of claims filed in response to medical malpractice.

Shaffer Law has years of experience guiding clients in Manhattan Beach through challenging personal injury claims. Our firm takes time to develop customized legal strategies for every client, addressing each plaintiff’s unique needs and concerns. We understand the stress and uncertainty that any bicycle accident victim is likely to face after this traumatic experience. Our goal is to help our clients recover as fully as possible.

If you or someone you love needs legal representation after a bicycle accident that someone else caused, Shaffer Law is ready to help you build your case. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with an experienced Manhattan Beach bicycle accident lawyer.