Pasadena Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Nicknamed the “City of Roses,” Pasadena is a vibrant city in California famous for its annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, as well as its rich cultural and historical attractions. With miles of bicycle lanes and bicycle paths, it is also a popular destination for cycling. Yet negligent drivers can cause serious accidents with vulnerable cyclists who share the road. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a bicycle accident, our Pasadena bicycle accident lawyer will hold the party responsible and fight for fair compensation. Call us today for a free initial consultation.

Do I Need a Bike Accident Attorney?

More than 130,000 cyclists are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year, according to the CDC. Of these fatalities, nearly three quarters occur in urban areas like Pasadena. If you were a victim of a bicycle accident, you may need legal counsel to obtain financial compensation for your injuries and other losses.

An experienced bike accident attorney can help you secure a settlement through a bike accident claim, which is filed against the at-fault driver and their auto insurance company. Generally, insurance companies will not want to cooperate with victims of auto accidents, instead offering them lowball settlements. With a lawyer on your side, you have the benefit of a legal expert and a team who cares about your well-being.

Our Pasadena bicycle accident attorney at Rose Accident Lawyers has years’ of experience representing injured cyclists and is committed to obtaining maximum compensation. To schedule a call with our qualified personal injury lawyer, call us at (626) 995-8065.

Why Do Bicycle Accidents Happen?

According to the latest data from the California Office of Traffic and Safety, 647 fatal and injury collisions were reported in Pasadena in 2020. Most bicycle accidents are attributed to dangerous driving behaviors. When a bicyclist is hit, the results can be devastating.

These are some of the most common causes of bike accidents in Pasadena:

Distracted driving: Whether texting while driving or applying makeup, distracted drivers are a danger to themselves and other road users.
Impaired driving: Even a small amount of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability.
Speeding and aggressive driving: The higher the speed, the more severe the collision. Speeding and reckless driving contribute to a majority of fatal and non-fatal bicycle accidents in the U.S.
Running red lights or stop signs: If a driver runs a red light or stop sign, they may hit a cyclist legally crossing an intersection or road.
Failure to yield the right-of-way: While cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, motorists should yield to cyclists in the bike lane when making a right turn.
Illegal turns: A driver making an illegal U-turn may hit a bicyclist and cause them to suffer catastrophic injuries.
Dooring: When a driver or passenger opens a car door in a bicycle path, they may hit a cyclist.

In the event of a collision with a motor vehicle, bicycle accident victims may be able to recover compensation if a negligent driver or other party caused the accident and injury. Once fault is proven through evidence such as the police report, the injured victim may pursue compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Damages are determined based on how much the victim has suffered because of the accident. This includes financial losses, such as medical bills, as well as intangible losses, like emotional trauma.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are fairly easy to calculate, as they will generally consist of medical bills and lost income due to the injury. Receipts and pay stubs are two forms of evidence that can help determine the value of the damages. In a bicycle accident lawsuit, victims may be entitled to:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Personal property damage
Other out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages reflect a victim’s intangible losses and have no specific dollar amount. In California, there is no cap on non-economic damages.

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring or disfigurement
Loss of companionship
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium

After a bike accident happens, injured victims have a limited time to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. The statute of limitations for personal injury victims in California is two years from the date of the accident.

Once this deadline passes, you will not be able to pursue compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are. This is why it is important to reach out to a Pasadena bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Even a minor collision can lead to catastrophic results. Cyclists are unprotected by airbags, seat belts, and other safety features of a vehicle. This can lead to a cyclist suffering serious injuries or death if they are hit by a speeding vehicle. The most common bicycle accident injuries are:

Broken bones
Soft tissue injuries
Road rash
Traumatic brain injuries or head injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Facial injuries

If a bicycle accident victim does not survive their injuries, the surviving family members may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.

Pasadena is generally considered one of the safest cities in L.A. County for bicycling. Yet busy and high traffic roads are a challenge for even the most experienced riders. The areas around CalTech, Pasadena City College, and the Rose Bowl see a large number of cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians daily.

If you are riding a bicyclist in Pasadena, avoid these dangerous roads and intersections with the highest volume of motor vehicle accidents:

Colorado Ave.
Red Bluff Rd.
Del Mar Blvd.
Lake Ave. and Orange Grove Blvd.
Maple St. and Fair Oaks Ave.
Lake Ave. and Corson St.
Fair Oaks Ave. and Corson St.
Lake Ave. and Boylston St.

No matter where you cycle or how often, you must understand the rules of the road and follow them as if you were driving a car. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Be seen at night – Wear bright colors and make sure your bike is equipped with a front white light and rear red reflector. Lights are required by law.
Wear a properly fitted helmet – A helmet is the single most important protection in the event of an accident.
Travel in the same direction as traffic – According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) §21650, all cyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic.
Yield to pedestrians – Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians crossing at unmarked and marked crosswalks.
Use hand signals – Using hand signals lets others know what you are doing and reduces the risk of an accident.
Use a bike lane if there is one – Bike lanes allow cyclists to ride at their own speed without interference from motor vehicles.

If a bike accident has impacted your ability to work, go about your normal life, or enjoy the things you love, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your physical and emotional injuries. The bicycle accident attorneys at Rose Accident Lawyers are dedicated personal injury experts with a 99% success rate and millions recovered for injured clients.

You don’t have to sign with us or make a large deposit for our services. All you have to do is call us for a free consultation. During this time, we will ask you questions about your accident and find out what you need help with. Our personal injury attorney works on a contingency fee, meaning you are not responsible for any upfront legal fees. Contact our Pasadena law firm today so we can help you with your bicycle accident case.