LONG BEACH BICYCLE
ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Many bicycle accidents in Long Beach involve some kind of driver negligence. You need to keep in mind that insurance companies will frequently argue a bicyclist was somehow at fault for their crash, even when the evidence makes it clear the driver was at fault.

Some common causes of bike accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Emergency — A driver could experience some kind of episode such as a heart attack or asthma attack that affects their ability to drive and causes a collision.
• Construction Zone Violations — Under California Vehicle Code § 21370, the California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is authorized to, while engaged in the construction of a state highway upon new alignment, restrict the use of and regulate the movement of traffic upon any highway intersecting the project at or near the place of intersection whenever such work interferes with or endangers the safe movement of traffic through the work.
• Failure to Maintain Vehicle — Some motor vehicles fail because the owner does not properly care for the automobile. An accident caused by such a failure will usually make the owner responsible for all damages.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol or Drugs — Law enforcement will typically arrest any person’s whose intoxication by drugs or alcohol causes a crash, but you need to know that the offender’s criminal case is a completely separate matter from your own civil action. In other words, a driver may avoid a conviction in criminal court but still be held liable in a civil court.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signs or Lights — A driver who goes through a stop sign or red light will be much more likely to strike a bicyclist who is obeying the law.
• Defective Parts — Some vehicles malfunction because of an issue with various mechanical parts. These defects are often uncovered after accidents have been fully investigated but help explain why drivers suddenly lost control of their vehicles.
• Inclement Weather — If the weather takes a turn for the worse, it makes a lot of things more difficult for drivers to see on the road, especially bicyclists.
• Reckless Driving — Reckless driving is defined as driving a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property under California Vehicle Code § 23103.
• Driver Fatigue — A tired driver is a dangerous driver. Such individuals are simply not prepared to react in emergency situations, but they are also at greater risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.
• Distracted Driving — Talking or text messaging on cell phones are perhaps the most common forms of distractions, but drivers can just easily be distracted by looking at maps, performing functions on their dashboards, or even talking to passengers.
• Improper or Illegal Turns — A driver who performs a turn that is not allowed is more likely to catch all other people on the road by surprise and leave them powerless to avoid collisions.
• Speeding — A driver who is going too fast is frequently at greater risk of striking pedestrians who assume the vehicles are obeying posted speed limits.
• Defective Highways — Some accidents could be the result of failure of a governmental entity to post proper signs or take other steps to protect pedestrians. The entities could be liable in some cases.
• Other Traffic Violations — A number of other common traffic offenses could also make a driver liable for damages.

Be especially careful with what you say to an insurance company after a bike accident. Representatives for insurers are always looking for ways to resolve your case for as little as possible, and you may very well be offered a lump sum settlement.

An agent may tell you that accepting the settlement will allow you to keep more money for yourself, but the truth is that the offer you are likely being presented with is probably far short of what you are actually entitled to. Let the May Firm fight to recover all of the compensation you need and deserve.