Irvine Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Were You Seriously Injured in a Bike Accident in Irvine?

Going on a bike ride on the roads in Irvine can be a great way to enjoy the city’s mild climate, get exercise, and save money. However, there are risks involved when riding against heavy traffic and crossing busy intersections. Drivers who may be on their phones texting or speeding may not see a cyclist and cause a serious accident.

If you have been injured in a bicycle crash in Irvine, you need an experienced attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim is a top-rated Irvine personal injury law firm with years of experience representing clients in cases involving cyclists and negligent drivers. We have a proven track record of success in securing settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.

We offer a free consultation by phone or in person at our Orange County law office for a free consultation. Our attorney proudly serves the city of Irvine and its communities of Cypress Village, Quail Hill, Woodbridge, Shady Canyon, Portola Springs, Turtle Rock, University Park, and more. 

No Win. No Fee. Guaranteed.

Our law firm operates on a 100% contingency fee arrangement. This means that clients don’t have to pay any upfront legal fees out of pocket for our legal services. Instead, we only get paid if we win your case and recover money for you. Call us to schedule your free case evaluation with our experienced legal team today. 

Why Hire Daniel Kim as Your Irvine Bike Accident Lawyer??

With a proven track record of success in handling complex and challenging bicycle accident cases, Daniel and his team have helped recover over $300 million in compensation for his clients. He knows how to deal with the insurance companies, the medical providers, and the legal system to ensure that you get the maximum recovery possible. He will also provide you with personalized attention and compassionate support throughout the process. Daniel has been recognized by Best Attorneys Of America, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and many more.

There are time limits when it comes to filing a personal injury claim so don’t wait, call us today. Daniel Kim and his legal team have helped thousands of clients here in Orange County. Don’t let the insurance companies intimidate you, we will fight for you.

Here’s more about our firm: 

• Experienced in California bicycle laws 
• Over 1,000 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook
• Aggressively fights the insurance company
• Top investigators to help your case and prove fault
• Schedule and follow up with medical treatment and recovery
• Maximize the value of your claim 

Do I Have a Case for My Bicycle Accident Injury?

If you suffered serious injuries in an Irvine bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you likely have a valid bicycle injury case. By filing a claim, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and more. While accident victims can pursue a claim on their own, it is highly recommended to work with an experienced attorney who can help you seek maximum compensation.

A skilled Irvine bicycle accident lawyer like Daniel Kim can help you gather and present the evidence to establish your case and hold the responsible parties accountable. We will also communicate and negotiate with the insurance company. The insurance adjuster is not your friend in this situation, as they will try to make a lowball offer to you or deny your claim outright. We will work hard to make sure no money is left on the table.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Bicycle Accident Case?

Normally, the value of a bicycle accident claim will vary depending on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The costs for medical treatment now and in future
• Did your injuries make you miss work and lose income
• Did injuries cause any long term or permanent disabilities
• The amount of physical and/or emotional suffering you endured

The damages that you can recover in a bicycle crash case depend on the severity of your injuries and the impact of the accident on your life. Generally, you can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

• Past and future medical expenses: This includes costs of treatment, medication, surgery, and rehabilitation related to your injury. 
• Lost wages: Your compensation may include past and future wages, benefits, bonuses, tips, and earning capacity that you lost or will lose due to your injury. 
• Property damage: If your bicycle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, your claim can include the cost of repair or replacement.
• Pain and suffering: This covers the physical and emotional distress that you experienced or will experience as a result of your injury. 
• Loss of enjoyment of life: This is a non-economic damage that covers the loss of ability to participate in activities that you enjoyed before the injury.
• Loss of consortium: This includes the loss of companionship, affection, support, and intimacy that your spouse or partner suffered or will suffer due to your injury.

In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. An Irvine bicycle accident lawyer can help you evaluate your damages and pursue the full compensation that you deserve.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents occur for a number of reasons and pose a serious challenge for road safety. Many drivers on the road are distracted or in a rush. They fail to notice other vehicles or cyclists who are sharing the road. Collisions between cars and bikes can have severe consequences regardless of who is at fault, even if they occur at low speeds such as backing out of a driveway. Bicycle collisions can result in various degrees of damage and injury, with the cyclist usually suffering the most harm. Below are common causes of most bicycle accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence 
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Dooring, or drivers who open their car door without looking
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Failure to see bicyclists or look both ways at intersections
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Poorly marked or designed bike paths and bike lanes
• Defective bicycle parts
• Roadway defects like potholes, broken traffic signals, or streetlights

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries in a Bicycle Accident?

Typically, the person or entity who acted carelessly and caused the accident is responsible for your damages and injuries. In bike accidents, this is most commonly the driver of a motor vehicle, but it could be another cyclist, a pedestrian, a property owner, or a government agency that failed to maintain safe road conditions. Failure to exercise care and causing harm to another person is known as negligence, which is the basis for most bicycle accident claims.

Under California law, injured victims can recover damages even if they were partially at fault through the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages from the other party, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for an accident and your injuries are worth $100,000, you would be able to recover $80,000 from the other party.

To determine who is responsible for your injuries in a bicycle crash, contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can review your case.

What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Bicycle Accident?

When an accident happens, it’s normal to be in a state of shock. The most important thing to do right after an accident is to get out of harm’s way and away from oncoming traffic. You should also seek medical treatment, even if you feel fine.

If you are not seriously injured, here are some important steps to protect your rights after a bicycle accident:

1. Call the police and file a report. The police report will document the details of the accident, which can be helpful if you need to file a claim for compensation.
2. Exchange information with the other driver, including their name, address, and insurance information. Do not admit fault to the other driver or to the police.
3. Talk to eyewitnesses. If there are any witnesses to your accident, talk to them and get their contact information in case you need to call them at a later time.
4. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any damage to your bicycle or the other vehicle and any injuries.
5. Contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney. An attorney can help you to understand your legal rights and can help you to file a claim for compensation.

What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Bicyclists have almost no protection on the road other than a helmet. A motor vehicle accident can cause much more severe injuries to a cyclist, even if the driver was traveling at a low speed. Our firm has experience in representing victims who have suffered the following types of common bike accident injuries:

• Broken bones: The most common fractures or dislocations in bike accidents are of the legs, wrists, pelvis, and arms. Fractures or dislocations can cause severe pain, swelling, or loss of mobility.
• Road rash: Bikers who fall or get dragged while cycling may suffer from road rash, a painful skin injury that can cause nerve damage if left untreated.
• Traumatic brain injuries: These can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, or coma.
• Head and neck injuries: These can include skull fractures, dental and facial injuries, eye injuries, ear injuries, nose injuries, and lacerations.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis of the lower or upper body, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
• Contusions and lacerations: Cyclists are likely to suffer from bruises and cuts that can occur on any part of the body. They can range from minor to severe depending on the depth and size of the wound.
• Amputation: Amputation is considered a catastrophic injury that can result from accidents or injuries that cause severe damage to a limb. It requires extensive recovery and rehabilitation.
• Wrongful death: In some cases, bike accident injuries can be fatal. Wearing a helmet and following traffic laws can reduce the risk of death in bike accidents.

Irvine Bicycle Accident Statistics

Irvine, home to UC Irvine and a large student population, is one of Orange County’s fastest growing cities. Named a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by The League of American Bicyclists, Irvine is a great place for cyclists, but accidents still do happen. On average, one cyclist is killed every month in a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle in Orange County.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Irvine has a population of over 300,000, making it one of the most populated cities in Orange County. Additionally, there are neighborhoods within Irvine that see a high volume of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, like the Irvine Spectrum Center. Cyclists should be careful around these busy roads and intersections in Irvine:

• Jamboree Rd. and Barranca Pkwy.
• Murray St. and Jamboree Rd.
• Sand Canyon Ave. and Jeffrey Rd.
• Barranca Pkwy. and Alton Pkwy.
• University Dr. and Michelson Dr.
• Irvine Center Dr. and Jamboree Rd. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to contact my insurance company after a bicycle accident?

Whether or not you need to contact your insurance company after an accident depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. If you were not at fault for the accident, you may be able to file a claim with the other driver’s auto insurance company. However, if you were at fault for the accident, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company. It’s always best to speak with an experienced attorney before speaking with the insurance company, as anything you say can be held against you.

• How long do I have to file a claim after a bicycle accident?

Under California’s statute of limitations, bicycle accident victims have two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. Beyond two years, victims lose the right to file a claim and pursue compensation. This is why it’s crucial to seek legal representation as soon as possible so you do not miss the deadline.

• What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?

If the driver who hit you does not have insurance or not enough to cover your damages, you can file a claim using your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you do not have this type of coverage under your auto insurance policy, you also have the option to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver for damages and injuries caused by the accident. Our legal team can walk you through your options for compensation in a free evaluation.

• What if the driver’s insurance company denies my claim?

If the driver’s insurance company denies your claim, you have several options. Firstly, you can file an appeal. Secondly, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or the insurance company. An Irvine bicycle accident attorney will greatly help in both cases, as insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with.

Contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim Today

When you hire our Irvine bicycle accident attorney, you can trust that he will work tirelessly to protect your rights and help you get back on your feet. We have helped countless injury victims who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries, including head injuries, facial injuries, broken bones, and more. Our assertive legal team will guide you through the entire claims settlement process. We have a history of obtaining maximum compensation for our clients. Call us at (949) 529-2552 or send us a message online to begin recovering losses and return to bike riding.

Other Practice Areas We Specialize In

Directions to Our Office in Irvine

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim – Irvine Office
Address: 15615 Alton Pkwy #450 Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 529-2552