Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney

Lawyer for Bicyclists Injured by Collisions or Dooring in Glendale and Los Angeles County

Biking to work or for pleasure can not only provide a person with great exercise, but it is an environmentally-conscious method of transportation. While bicyclists in the Los Angeles area have many great places where they can enjoy the outdoors, they also face significant risks due to the large numbers of vehicles on the roads. Even when bicyclists take all of the proper safety measures, they may be struck by a car, a commercial truck, a bus, or other types of vehicles. These types of motor vehicle collisions can be devastating, inflicting severe injuries or wrongful death. To ensure that they can hold a driver responsible for their injuries, it is crucial for bicyclists in these cases to secure legal representation from a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer.

Following a bicycle accident, Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. can advise you on what you will need to do to receive financial compensation from the driver who struck you or anyone else who was liable for your injuries. We will take steps to gather evidence from the scene of the collision or testimony from witnesses, as well as documentation of the extent of your injuries, ensuring that you will be able to secure full and fair compensation for all of your damages. We will put 30+ years of legal experience to work for you and help you achieve justice in your case.

Driver Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases

In the vast majority of collisions involving bicycles, the driver of a motor vehicle that struck a bicyclist is at fault. According to California law, bicyclists have the same rights as the drivers of other vehicles. Bicyclists who are traveling slower than other traffic should stay as close as possible to the curb or the edge of the road and use bike lanes when possible. However, bicyclists can move to the left to pass other vehicles or bicycles, make left turns, or avoid obstacles, animals, or pedestrians.

Drivers should share the road with bicycles just as they would with other vehicles. If there is not enough room to share a lane safely with a bicycle, a driver should allow the bicyclist to have a full lane of travel, and they should only pass a bicycle when it is legal to do so. Unfortunately, many drivers do not offer the respect that bicyclists deserve, especially in situations involving heavy traffic where they believe that a bicycle is slowing them down. They may follow or pass bicycles too closely, and this may lead them to strike a bicyclist or run them off the road.

When drivers commit traffic violations, this makes it more likely that they will collide with a bicycle. Speeding or ignoring traffic signals may lead a driver to strike a bicyclist who is legally crossing the road, passing a vehicle, or making a turn. Talking or texting on a cell phone or other distractions may cause a driver to fail to see a bicycle, and drivers who are intoxicated due to drug or alcohol use may not notice bicycles or be able to respond in time to avoid a collision.

"Dooring" is another common cause of bicyclist injuries. When vehicles park next to bike lanes or on the side of a road, drivers or passengers may open their doors without checking to see if a bicyclist is traveling nearby. A car door that is opened into a bicyclist's path can knock them off their bike, causing them to suffer multiple injuries when they strike the ground or other objects. In some cases, a bicyclist may even be knocked into the roadway and struck by other vehicles, which can result in fatal injuries.

Contact Our North Hollywood Bike Accident Attorneys

Bicyclists can suffer multiple types of serious injuries in a collision with a vehicle. They may experience traumatic brain injuries even if they are wearing a helmet, as well as spinal cord injuries, broken bones, dislocated joints, and severe cuts and bruises. At Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C., we can help bicyclists take action to hold negligent drivers responsible for their injuries and damages. Contact our office and set up a free consultation by calling 818-242-8201 today. We serve clients in the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County area, including but not limited to North Hollywood, Glendale, Ventura County, Riverside County, Burbank, Encino, Pacoima, and Hollywood.