Santa Monica is a great place to ride a bike. Like other Bay Area Cities, the city enjoys moderate temperatures for most of the year and lots of sunshine which helps put cyclists out on the streets and bike paths. While bike riding is great for the rider’s health, and any reduction in carbon emission is always a good thing, riding can also bring a risk of injury to the rider.
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we are passionate about helping cyclists get justice after being injured by the negligence of car drivers who are not vigilant in looking out for the cyclists on the roads. We believe that the Santa Monica cyclists have just a much right to the roads as do motor vehicles, and should be given the ability to get around in safety.
Broadside Bicycle Injuries
There are many ways a cyclist can get injured, and one of them is a broadside accident. These happen in two ways for a cyclist, one—the most common—when a car turns in front of a cyclist causing the cyclist to hit the car in the side. The other is when a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or another cyclist hits a cyclist in the side.
When a vehicle turns in front of a bicycle, the impact can be devastating because of the size and weight difference between a bike and motor vehicle. In a broadside, the cyclist suffers an impact with the bigger, heavier vehicle only to be ejected from the bicycle and hit the car and eventually the pavement. This causes certain injuries to the rider that can be serious and life-threatening.
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we’ve helped thousands of cyclists recover financially after suffering some devastating and life-altering injuries with many coming from a broadside accident. Some of the injuries common to a broadside accident are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Severe Concussions
- Facial Bone Fractures
- Broken/Displaced Ribs
- Severe Road Rash
- Broken Wrists/Elbows
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Severe Road Rash
Broadside Bike Injury Liability
Anytime the driver of a car negligently causes an accident with a cyclist, the driver of the car is responsible for all injuries and financial losses that come from the accident. In most cases, the funds for the compensation will come from the auto insurance policy for the drivers, however, there may be circumstances where we have to look elsewhere.
For example, if the driver flees or has no insurance, then the cyclist can use their own auto policy if they have uninsured and underinsured motorist’s coverage. Another source can be the owner of a company if the driver was a delivery driver or on the clock for any company at the time of the accident.
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we will look for any coverage possible to make sure that a cyclist injured by a motor vehicle driver’s negligence gets the compensation they deserve.
Contact a Santa Monica Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only personal injury law firm in Northern California to specialize exclusively in representing injured cyclists. Years of advocacy for bicycle victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills, knowledge base and familiarity to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise.
Contact us today for a free consultation. California cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers are entitled to a wide array of compensation. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest.