Top-Rated Bike Accident Lawyer in Tustin
There are things you can do to avoid being hit on your bicycle, stuff like wearing bright clothing, using a light at night, etc., and we cover more of this topic later on in this article.
The reality is that bike accidents happen daily in Orange County and sadly many of these accidents involve some serious injuries.
We put together this article in hopes of educating people on what to do before and after a bicycle accident here in Tustin.
Why Contact A Bike Accident Lawyer in Tustin?
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident then you’ll want to speak to a bike accident lawyer in Tustin.
Daniel Kim and his bike accident lawyers in Tustin have years of experience helping bike accident victims here in the Tustin, Orange County.
Bicycle accidents tend to result in pretty severe injuries, and if you’ve been hit by a car then you’ll want to hire an experienced bike accident lawyer in Tustin like Daniel Kim.
Do not fight the insurance companies alone, trust us.
The insurance companies are not in the business of just paying out big settlements to accident victims.
Many times the insurance companies will try to settle a claim very quickly for a low amount of money, or they will attempt to deny the claim completely by placing fault on the bicyclist.
Dealing with insurance companies is very tricky, and it’s not something that most people want to do while they are recovering from their injuries.
No matter how long your settlement takes, Daniel Kim will fight for you to make sure you get maximum compensation.
Common Causes Of Bike Accidents
So, when an accident does occur with a bicyclist there can be injuries involved especially when a rider comes in direct contact with an automobile.
Bicycle accidents when involving a moving vehicle is usually a result of a distracted driver or a failure to yield the right of way to the cyclist.
Bike riders are often hard to see due to their compact structure and drivers needs to be on the lookout at all times.
Sometimes the bicyclist themselves are at fault when an accident occurs, but no matter who is at fault, anytime a car hits a bike rider it can be devastating.
If you need a Tustin bike accident lawyer then contact Daniel Kim today.
Below is a list of common reasons for a bike accident in Tustin:
- Right cross (occurs when a car pulls out of a driveway, side street, alley etc.)
- Right hook (car cuts off cyclist when making a right turn)
- Drivers not using their turn signals (can cause those behind or in front to be confused)
- Door opener (throwing open a door of a parked car into a traffic lane)
- Running a red light or stop sign (dangerous and life-threatening if impact occurs)
- Left cross (vehicle makes left turn in front of the cyclists, strikes left side of bike)
- Inexperienced drivers (not being aware of the rules of the road is hazardous)
- Bike lanes (lanes can be poorly marked and hard to see making it unsafe)
- Rear end accident (riding to close to a cyclist or vehicle is not safe)
- Roadway defects (like potholes, broken traffic signals or streetlights
- Distracted drivers (phone, eating, drinking, talking and texting)
How Bicycle Riders Can Be Safe and Avoid Accidents
There is always risk when travelling the streets on a bicycle but there are common factors that can help to make the roads safer.
The top way to avoid bike accidents is to be ready and aware of the other vehicles around you.
It is also best to know the rules of the road and safety tips to help avoid these situations, which in turn will help eliminate the need for a bike accident lawyer in Tustin.
Look out for road hazards – Watch for debris on the roads, oil, sewer grates, gravel, water, dirt etc. Be careful when crossing railroad tracks. If a road hazard caused your accident then you’ll definitely want to hire a bike accident lawyer in Tustin.
Make eye contact with vehicle drivers – It is important to realize that most drivers don’t see you. Eye contact is an important way to communicate with any driver which might pose a threat to your safety.
Use lights at night – California law requires a lamp or lamp combination. The light must be visible of up to a distance of up to 300 feet. This is for the safety of everyone sharing the road.
Wearing a helmet – Just simply taking the time to put on a helmet can save your life or at least help avoid serious injuries. Concussions, contusions and open head wounds are common injuries when you don’t wear a helmet.
Keep your bike in good shape – Adjust the seat to fit your you. Always check brakes and tires before hitting the streets. Do some routine maintenance to ensure a safe ride.
Never ride against traffic – Bicyclists need to ride in the same direction as the traffic. Other drivers are not going to be prepared to see a rider coming head on. State laws require that bike riders ride with the traffic.
Keep a safe distance from motor vehicles – Of course it’s common sense for bicycle riders to keep a safe distance from cars sharing the road. Just being aware of the automobiles around you can help avoid an accident.
Don’t ride too aggressively – This is just simple things like don’t run red lights, don’t run stop signs, and don’t cut off cars intentionally. Be safety conscious and respectful.
Wear protective clothing if possible – It is also a good idea to wear gloves, any type of shoulder pads or protective back gear, and eye protection to make sure you have clear vision in any weather.
Mirrors – Mirrors can help with turning and overall safety of the cyclist. It is important to be aware of everyone behind and in front of you, remember to assume that no one see you.
Dress for the weather – Tustin has beautiful weather most of the time but when rain, wind or cold is in the forecast dress appropriately. In rain wear a poncho or something waterproof. It is best to dress in layers to be able to adjust to the temperature.
Practice Areas We Handle
At the office of Daniel Kim, our personal injury attorneys exclusively handle motor vehicle accident cases, which sets us apart from all the other law firms that take any case they can get to make a quick dollar. Our outstanding attorneys focus on motor vehicle accidents so that we can offer the best service to our clients who want real experience and knowledge.
Motorcycle Accidents – As we all know riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, and almost all motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries.
Truck Accidents – there are actually quite a few semi-truck accidents in Tustin, but our law firm knows what needs to be done to protect your legal rights.
Rideshare Accidents – Uber and Lyft have become so popular that sometimes it seems like every other car on the roads here in Tustin is an Uber or Lyft driver. Uber has a unique commercial insurance policy, so if you were injured as an Uber passenger, and Uber driver, or if you were hit by an Uber driver, call us.
Pedestrian Accidents – These are always bad accidents because a pedestrian has no chance against a 2000 lb car that runs them over.
Car Accidents – This can involve any type of crash from an Uber wreck, to maybe a teenage driver hitting you, or maybe an old lady ran a red light and rear-ended your car. Call us if you have been in any type of car accident and you were injured, we are here to help.
Bike Accidents – Bike accidents always lead to a serious injury, even if you are wearing a helmet. Broken bones and road rash are almost a guaranteed result if you have been hit while riding a bike in Tustin.