Personal Injury Lawyers in Irvine, CA
Irvine, CA is a popular hotspot for tourism and attracts over one million travelers each year. Irvine is a very bike-friendly city and has one of the nation’s most interconnected and well-maintained bikeway systems. Consequently, there is more bike traffic on Irvine roads, which also increases the risk of bicycle accidents.
If you were injured in a bike crash in Irvine, CA as a result of another driver’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. At Woodbridge Accident Lawyers we are passionate about helping bicycle accident victims recover just compensation to help them move forward with their lives. Schedule a free consultation to speak with a bike accident lawyer today.
Do I Need to Hire an Irvine Bicycle Lawyer?
If you have medical bills, property damage, and have lost income as a result of a bike accident, consulting with an Irvine bicycle accident lawyer is a crucial step injured cyclists can take to learn about their legal options. During this challenging period in your life, you should be able to focus on healing, not battling the insurance companies.
A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your losses by dealing with insurance adjusters and negotiating for the best settlement possible. Our legal team in Irvine will provide you with the expertise you need to protect your legal rights and strengthen your bicycle accident case.
It’s invaluable for your claim that you have an Irvine bike accident lawyer who is very familiar with California’s traffic laws. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are not only knowledgeable about California law, but we are also well-versed in the procedures surrounding bike accident claims in the greater Orange County area. We can help guide you throughout the complex claims process.
What Should I Do After a Bike Accident?
- Check on Yourself and Others
- After a bicycle accident, check for any injuries on yourself and those involved in the accident. Ensure you get out of harm’s way and can rest in a safe place. If you or others have sustained serious injuries, call an ambulance.
- Call the Police
- Whether you sustained minor or severe injuries, it’s vital to call the police. Responding officers will document the bicycle accident and fill out a police report. Make sure the police get your statement of what occurred in the police report. Report any injury, even if it seems minor. It’s also a good idea to get the accident report number for your own records.
- Exchange Contact Information
- Get the driver’s contact information (name, address, phone number, driver’s license, license plate number) and insurance policy number. Limit your interaction with the other party and do not apologize or admit any fault, even if you think you were partially responsible.
- Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene
- After a bike accident, it's crucial to gather as much evidence as you can. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and photos of your injuries, the damage to your bike and the other vehicle(s) involved. Write down or note in your mobile phone when, where, and how the bicycle accident occurred.
- Speak to Witnesses
- Having witnesses is important as it can aid in strengthening your personal injury case. Make sure to get names and phone numbers from eyewitnesses who are willing to give an account of the accident.
- Seek Medical Assistance
- Bike accidents can result in severe injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI), and you may need immediate medical treatment after a bike crash. Even in you only notice minor injuries, you should still seek immediate medical attention. Doing this also creates a medical record or an official documentation of your injuries. Not seeking medical attention can have a potentially negative effect on your accident claim.
- Don’t Talk to the driver's Insurance Company
- You aren’t required to discuss any details of the personal injury claim with the other party’s insurance company. It is easy for statements to be misunderstood or taken out of context. This is especially true in personal injury claims and it may negatively impact your claim. You aren’t legally bound to provide insurance companies with information. Therefore, it is in your best interest to consult a bicycle accident attorney who can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Consult a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- A bike accident lawyer will keep your best interests in mind and protect your legal rights. An insurance adjuster may try to intimidate the accident victim into accepting a low settlement. An experienced attorney can handle each insurance company and the deceptive tactics they may use against accident victims when determining liability. A bicycle accident attorney can preserve case evidence, protect your rights, and facilitate communication with an insurance company.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
There are several factors that aid in determining the value of a bicycle accident claim. Some factors include the extent of the injuries, medical bills, and the long-term consequences the incident has on the accident victim’s life.
Your legal representation also has a substantial impact on the results of your personal injury claim. An experienced attorney can win much higher compensation than someone unfamiliar with California law and personal injury law.
Have you suffered injuries in a bike accident as a result of another diver’s negligence? If so, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. A personal injury attorney can hold the at-fault party responsible and help injured cyclists recover fair compensation. At Woodbridge Accident Lawyers, we fight to get you the maximum compensation.
Want to know what your Irvine bicycle accident case is worth? Schedule a free consultation with an Irvine bike accident attorney today for an estimate of your case value.
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bikes are typically light and lacking in protective features when compared to cars. Consequently, cyclists are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries when hit by a car. Head injuries are responsible for most fatalities in bicycle accidents.
Common injuries sustained from a bicycle collision include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Fractured neck vertebra
- Nerve damage
- Eye or vision damage
- Lost or broken teeth
- Fractured jaw
- Road rash
- Spine injuries or paralysis
Precautions to Help Prevent Bike Injuries
In warmer months, usually starting in May, bicycle fatalities peak and remain high throughout October. Each year, about 800 bicyclists in the United States are killed in bicycle accidents. In addition, 500,000 bikers visit hospital emergency rooms after sustaining serious injuries in an accident. Bicycle accident deaths have been on the rise over the past 10 years. In 2020, there were 1,260 bicycle-related deaths.
Bicycle accidents are oftentimes preventable. Here are some precautions riders can take to help reduce the risk of sustaining severe injuries after a bicycle accident.
- Make Sure Your Bike Is the Right Size for You
- If the bike is too big or too small for you, it can be difficult to handle and control the bicycle. When choosing a bike, be sure to check the manufacturer’s sizing chart and ensure you have the right size frame for your height.
- Wear a Helmet
- California law only requires people aged 18 and under to wear helmets. Some bike riders may forgo their helmets, but doing so greatly increases the risk of sustaining a head injury in a bike crash. According to a bicycle safety study, almost 74% of fatal bike crashes involved a head injury. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by more than 50%. When fitting a bike helmet, it is important to ensure you measure your head and choose a helmet that is snug and secure.
- Check Your Brakes
- Ensure your brakes are in great working condition before you go on a bike ride. Do a brake test, as you may have to make an adjustment before heading out.
- Use Headlights
- Adding headlights to your bike helps improve bike safety, especially at night time, because it will help you see better and make you more visible to other motorists, as well.
- Don’t Use Earbuds or Headphones While Cycling
- It can be dangerous to wear earbuds or headphones while biking. If your hearing senses are diverted, you may miss an alert or warning from others around you. You need to be aware of your surroundings including other motorists, car horns, people yelling, and police or ambulance sirens.
- Mind Your Speed
- Traveling at excessive speeds can put yourself and others around you at risk of a bicycle collision. It’s best to travel at speeds that are appropriate for the current weather, road surface, and traffic conditions you’re navigating.
- Ride Defensively
- Be alert and focused on the road and pay close attention to other motorists and their maneuvers. Ride in bike lanes with the flow of traffic. Eliminate any potential distractions while riding, like using your smartphone, eating, or drinking.
Dangerous Intersections in Irvine, CA
Some of the most dangerous Irvine intersections where bicycle accidents occur include.
- Jamboree Road at Walnut Avenue
- Alton Parkway at Gateway
- Culver Drive at Irvine Boulevard
- Barranca Parkway at Harvard Avenue
- Armstrong Avenue at McGaw Avenue
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Irvine, CA
At Woodbridge Accident lawyers, our Irvine personal injury lawyers understand how injuries, medical bills, and trauma can impact bicycle accident victims. Our legal team is dedicated to recovering the highest compensation our clients deserve. We specialize in bicycle accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, Uber/Lyft accidents, and wrongful death accidents in Orange County.
Our Irvine bicycle accident lawyers are here to offer you support and guidance throughout your personal injury case. Call us today for a 1-on-1 free case evaluation.