Santa Monica has worked hard to be considered a bike-friendly community, and in 2018, those efforts paid off when the League of American Bicyclists upgraded their bike-friendly rating from bronze to silver. This was done by making roadways and paths around the city safer and more accessible to cyclists along with other measures aimed at promoting cycling as a means of travel in the city.
Over the years, the city has added to their bike paths and protected bike lanes making getting around the city safer. However, when riding among the cars, Santa Monica cyclists still have the risk of getting into an accident with all types of motor vehicles.
Bay Area Bicycle Law Here to Help
Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only law firm in northern California that exclusively represents cyclists. This puts us in the position to give you representation for your injury claim that is second to none and is backed by experience and success.
Many cyclist victims of car accidents wonder if they should use an auto accident personal injury lawyer to represent them. While there are many firms in the Bay Area that can adequately represent you, at Bay Area Bicycle Law, we have an entire staff with nothing but bicycle law experience. We are bicyclists who represent bicyclists. We will take that experience to your claim to give you the best chance of getting the maximum compensation allowed under the law.
Santa Monica Bike Accidents
As bike-friendly as Santa Monica is, there are still many “injury traps” that naturally come up when cyclists and motor vehicles occupy the same streets. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we know what these are and we use that knowledge to show how the motor vehicle driver, or maybe a private company or even the city, is liable for your injuries.
Some of the hazards that Santa Monica cyclists face every day are:
- Potholes
- Breeze Bikes
- Obstructed Bike Lanes
- Bicycle v. Bicycle
- Bicycle v. Pedestrian
- Uber Drivers
- Ride Share Delivery Vehicles
- Traditional Delivery Vehicles
- Dooring
- Right Hook
- Blind Spots
- Broadside Accidents
- Semi-Trucks/Big Rigs
- Speeding Drivers
- Impaired Drivers
- Biking in the Rain
These are just some of the possible sources of a cyclist’s injury accident in Santa Monica. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we’ve helped victims get compensation after being injured because of any one of these hazards and types of vehicles.
Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Injuries
A cyclist is one of the most vulnerable travelers or commuters out on the Santa Monica streets. This is primarily because of how unprotected they are when in an accident with a moving hunk of steel that outweighs a typical cyclist and bike by a factor of 20.
Not only that, but motorists also have a tunnel vision problem when it comes to cyclists. A bike and rider can be directly in the field of vision of a motor vehicle driver, and he or she doesn’t see the cyclist and will pull out or turn anyway.
When a cyclist goes down, there are typically two impacts that can injure or kill the cyclist. One when the bike impacts the vehicle, and the other when the victim hits the pavement. Because of this and the lack of protection, cyclists can be significantly injured in an accident.
Some of the more common injuries we’ve cyclists endure due to a driver’s negligence are:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Legs/Arms
- Shattered Wrists
- Broken Facial Bones
- Fractured/Displaced Ribs
- Broken Collar Bone
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Severe Road Rash
What to do if You’ve Been in an Accident Riding Your Bike
The first thing is to get out of danger. If you can, get somewhere safe where you can avoid a second hit from another motorist. Then while you are at the scene and only if you are able, get as much information—including pictures—as you can. Sometimes this is impossible, or it might endanger you further, so keep that in mind.
Then when you’ve been treated and are at a place where you are able, contact an attorney who can help you get compensation for your injuries. At the time, it might not seem so important, but sooner or later, you will be getting a call or email from an insurance agent from the at-fault driver, and you need to know how to deal with that.
In the meantime, don’t talk to the agent before you’ve spoken to an attorney, and if you hire the attorney, then you can focus on getting well and you can be free from worry over your financial losses.
Northern California’s Bicycle Accident Lawyers.
Bay Area Bicycle Law works with clients all over the State of California and is one of the state’s only personal injury law firms working exclusively with injured cyclists.
We handle cases in your area, and there are many benefits to working with a specialist.
Years of advocacy for bicycle crash victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest. Contact us today for a free consultation.