Have you or someone you love been injured in a bike accident in Long Beach? Was this accident caused by another party’s negligence? If so, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Call the Long Beach personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw today for a free consultation, and let us review your case to see if you qualify. Don’t let a bicycle accident take away your peace of mind. Call today and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
Hiring a lawyer can not only make the claims process smoother and easier on you, it can mean the difference between obtaining a fair settlement and getting nothing at all. An experienced attorney can give you the advantage in ways you may not understand.
We take on the burden of building your case so you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We handle the investigation into your accident, we gather evidence and documents, and we take point in negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf. We will answer the phone calls and write the letters, so you don’t have to.
Our knowledge and experience will be invaluable to you. We can use our experience with injury law to help you assess the value of your damages based on your losses and help you avoid pitfalls and obstacles that may delay your claim.
We can help you counter the underhanded methods employed by some insurance adjusters to protect their customers from liability. They may surprise you by offering a settlement immediately after the accident in the hopes that you won’t notice the amount is far below what you actually deserve. An experienced attorney can guide you through settlement negotiations and make sure all your losses are taken into account.
Though the vast majority of claims are settled out of court, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary, which is something only the foolhardy would attempt without a lawyer’s assistance. We will vigorously pursue compensation for your injury, even if it means going before a judge or jury, and be by your side every step of the way.
There are many choices when it comes to personal injury firms in Long Beach, so why choose OnderLaw? There are several reasons:
We understand the stress and strain a bicycle accident can place on you and your family. Medical bills and lost wages after a serious injury can derail future plans in a heartbeat. We pride ourselves on being more than your representative. Your lawyer is your advocate, your confidant, and your support during this difficult time. We take this responsibility very seriously. Our dedicated team of professionals will take the time to get to know you and the particulars of your injury and your circumstances, as we believe this personal service is key to positive outcomes.
We don’t just support our clients. We also support the communities who have helped us grow. We regularly donate our time and money to organizations such as MADD, Lupus Foundation of America, and Toys for Tots.
But most importantly, we get the results our clients deserve. We’ve seen enormous success and obtained over $3 billion in awards and settlements for our clients. We can’t guarantee a good result for every case we take on, but we can guarantee we will bring all the knowledge and skills that we used to obtain these results to bear on your case.
In general, bicycle riders have the same responsibilities as drivers on the roads in Long Beach. They must obey all signage, keep under the speed limit, and wear a helmet at all times. Riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Electric or motorized bicycles, depending on their top speed, are allowed to occupy either bike lanes or roadways.
If you’re moving the same speed as surrounding traffic, you can ride on any part of the road you wish, but if you’re moving slower than traffic, you must keep to the right side of the road unless you’re turning left, avoiding an obstacle, or passing someone else.
If there is a bike lane available, you must use it if you are riding slower than traffic. Once a bike lane becomes separated from the road by posts or a line of parked cars, it’s no longer considered a bike lane, it’s considered a “separated bikeway,” and you are not required to use it.
It is illegal to ride on most sidewalks in Long Beach, though there are exceptions. Bicycles are also required to have a headlight if you ride at night, and be equipped with a red rear reflector and yellow pedal reflectors.
Bicycles are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to safety. They are much smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver than cars or trucks, but they have no safety protection for their riders and can easily be pushed aside by even the smallest car. This also means that bicycle riders are far more prone to injury than motor vehicle occupants. These injuries can often be more severe than those sustained by vehicle occupants in a car or truck accident.
Some common causes of bike accidents include the following:
Like motorcyclists, bicycle riders are susceptible to far more injury than car or truck drivers because of the lack of safety equipment. They are small enough to duck between vehicles to avoid an accident, but they typically move much slower than traffic and are difficult to see, especially at night.
Some common injuries suffered in bicycle accidents include:
With personal injury claims, the amount of compensation you can obtain relates directly to the severity of your accident and the injuries you sustained. The general rule of thumb is the more severe your injury, the more you should demand in compensation, but it’s nearly impossible to estimate the actual amount you might receive without first reviewing the particular circumstances that caused your injuries and the losses you’ve suffered as a result.
Losses are sometimes called “damages.” There are many types of damages, and your lawyer can assist you in determining which apply to your case.
Economic damages, or special damages, are monetary expenses caused by the defendant’s negligent behavior. Some examples of economic damages include:
Non-economic damages, or general damages, cannot be readily assigned a monetary value and are intangible. There are many types of general damages, such as:
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional malice, California also allows some claimants to pursue punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate for any particular loss but rather to punish the defendant for their behavior and deter them from behaving in the same way again. By California law, punitive damages, or exemplary damages, are only awarded in cases of extreme fraud, malice, or oppression.
Here are some statistics and information regarding bicycle accidents in Long Beach and elsewhere:
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, call the bicycle accident attorneys at OnderLaw today. There is no fee for the initial consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs for our clients, and you only pay for our services if we’re successful in getting you the compensation you deserve.
California’s statute of limitations places strict time limits on filing personal injury lawsuits, so time is a factor. Don’t wait any longer. Call today and get the help you need.
