Bicycle Accident

You’ve Been Injured. What Next?

Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.

When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.

The Face to Face Meeting

You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.

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I Resolve to …

New Year’s resolutions. Many of us make them, but not many of us manage to keep them. They generally have to do with things we feel, if accomplished, would make us a better, or healthier, or more prosperous person. We resolve to lose weight, or stop smoking, or to start working out or running, or to simply try to be a nicer human being.

These are all laudable and worthwhile objectives, and we encourage everyone to do your best to achieve whatever goals you’ve resolved to reach in 2012. But, we have a couple of items we’d like to suggest that you add to your list. They’re not traditional New Year’s resolutions, but we think they would be worth your time and effort, and might save you, or a loved one, or even a total stranger from harm and/or liability in the coming months and years.

Make a List … or Several

• Have all your vehicles checked thoroughly for potential safety issues. This means your cars, motorcycles, motor homes, watercraft, camping trailers, bicycles, even your skateboard. Check them all to be sure that wheels, brakes, lights – anything that could cause an accident, should it malfunction – are in good working order.

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Ensure Your Best Possible Recovery ~

It can certainly be a life-altering event, and the first thing you should know about spinal cord injury is that it does not always present symptoms immediately after sustaining damage. If you suffer a head, neck, or back injury, even if you feel that it’s minor, get the opinion of a qualified health care professional immediately. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you should know what steps to take to ensure that you’ll receive the best medical care and rehabilitation efforts.

All brain injuries and injuries to the spinal cord are potentially dangerous. They can cause excruciating pain, take away your freedom of movement, speech, or hearing, and can even result in death. If you suffer an injury to the spinal cord due to an accident, on the job or elsewhere, you’ll not only need excellent medical attention but also the counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney. More often than not, there will be an intimidating maze of legalities that must be dealt with before you can get on with treatment and recovery.

Things to Keep in Mind

After you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, take the following steps to ensure that you won’t be left without help and without the means to ensure your best possible recovery.

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Know What to Do Next ~

In the United States, someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every 15 seconds. A TBI is the most frequent cause of disability or death among children and adolescents, according to the Brain Injury Association. Approximately five million head injuries occur every year, and most result from what appears to be only a bump or bruise to the head, but is actually quite a bit more serious.

What Are the Symptoms?

Any head trauma has the possibility of also causing injury to the brain. A head injury can be suspicious for brain damage if the following symptoms are present: unconsciousness, headache, convulsions, dazed expression, drowsiness, vomiting, memory loss or amnesia concerning the injury, as well as unequal pupil size. In addition, more obvious symptoms can include a bloody nose or bleeding from the ear without any noticeable fractures or cuts. Following a head injury, it is important to keep close tabs on any changes and be prepared for questions such as, “When did this change begin?” Try to recall specifics surrounding your fall or accident and when your first noticed impairment. For example, if you’re feeling anxious or disoriented, what do you think may have brought this on?

Brain Injury Checklist

Take a look below at these common changes, including personality, neurological, intellectual and psychological impairments following a head injury.

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Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights ~

If you’re involved in any kind of vehicular accident, there are certain rules you should follow. Some of these rules are required by law, others are there to protect your rights. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in an auto accident, a bicycle accident, a motorcycle accident, or are hit by any one of them while walking down the sidewalk as a pedestrian. These rules apply in all situations. While you should always consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice immediately following any accident, you also need to know, in advance, what to do in case of an emergency.

Remain as calm as possible. Being involved in an accident is almost always an emotional experience. You may be afraid of potential consequences. You may also be in pain. However, staying as calm as you can is in your best interest. You will be less likely to say or do something that could be detrimental should legal proceedings result.

First, if anyone was injured in the accident, call 911. “Anyone” means yourself and passengers in your vehicle as well as other drivers, and passengers in other vehicles. Emergency personnel should be contacted even if the injuries seem minor. Second, call the police so the facts of the accident can be documented. In most instances, a single call to 911 will likely dispatch both the police and paramedics.  (Note: In certain instances, the police may refuse to come or prepare a report.)

Even if you believe the accident was entirely your fault, do not make any statements to that effect. Doing so can have serious legal consequences, and might even affect your insurance coverage. You are not obligated to provide this information before obtaining legal advice.

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Riding a bike has been a popular recreational activity for quite a long time; however, it is becoming increasing more popular as a mode of transportation, especially in places like Southern California where the climate and weather are pleasant most of the year. Cycling is an economical, eco-friendly, and healthy way to get to your destination, although it is more dangerous.

Bicyclists are much more vulnerable than the occupants of cars and must always ride defensively and safely. This is especially important because many motorists do not know how to appropriately share the roads with bicycles. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) provides the following safety tips to help keep cyclists safe:

Make sure the bicycle is well maintained and adjusted, especially when it comes to the brakes and tires;

• Install a good light and reflectors for night riding;
• Wear bright clothing when riding at night;
• Wear a properly-fitting helmet;
• Attach a rear view mirror to the handlebars;
• Obey all traffic laws;
• Use hand signals before turning or changing lanes;
• Always ride on the right side of the road;
• Be very cautious when riding through intersections;
• Avoid riding alongside cars in intersections;
• Keep hands on the handlebars at all times;
• Yield to all pedestrians; and
• Make sure you are noticed, especially by drivers.

Following these guidelines will help you stay safe while riding your bike, but, unfortunately, these tips cannot always protect you from the negligent or reckless driving of others. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced bicycle accident lawyers in the San Fernando Valley at The Mandell Law Firm can help you hold the at-fault party accountable. Call us today to learn more about getting the compensation you deserve at 818-886-6600.

A teenager riding his bicycle in Canoga Park lost his life recently when he was hit by a car, which then fled the accident scene, according to a recent article on NBC LA.

The bicyclist, a 17-year-old student at Chatsworth High School, was riding with another teenage along De Soto Avenue. As they neared Valerio Street, a small car hit the bicyclist on his left side. It then drove away from the scene, leaving the bicyclist and his friend behind. Rescue workers were called, but the bicyclist’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly after the bike accident. The teen who had been riding alongside the injured bicyclist was not struck by the car and was not injured.

Police are asking local residents to be on the lookout for the vehicle that may have hit the bicyclist. They believe it is a Toyota Corolla or a Toyota Camry that is silver or gray in color. It has a hatchback and likely also has severe damage to the passenger side, where it hit the bicyclist.

Bicycles are legally allowed to share the roads as long as their riders obey all traffic signals and street signs, just as cars do. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t consider the rights of bicyclists, failing to watch out for them or to accommodate their smaller size and speed. When a car and a bicycle collide, the injuries to the bicyclist can be severe.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, you have certain rights under California law. The experienced San Fernando Valley bicycle accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free consultation, call 818-886-6600 today.

A 47-year-old Encino resident lost his life recently when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while bicycling near Leucadia State Beach in San Diego County, according to a recent article in The Encino Patch.

When the bicycle accident occurred, the man was riding with two friends nearing the intersection of Jason Street and State Coast Highway 101 when he was struck by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck left the scene without stopping to help the bicyclist or to speak to police. The bicyclist, who was wearing reflective safety gear at the time, was airlifted to a hospital in La Jolla, where he died.

A few days later, the driver, a 46-year-old man from Carlsbad, turned himself in to police, stating that he may have been involved in the accident. His vehicle matched the description of the vehicle that police say hit the bicyclist, even sporting front-end damage where it collided with the bicycle and its rider. The Carlsbad man was jailed and may face criminal charges of felony hit-and-run murder in addition to a personal injury case, say police.

Although bicyclists have the legal right to share the road with cars as long as they obey traffic signals, many motorists do not use the caution required to look for and accommodate bicyclists. When a bicycle accident occurs as the result of a motorist’s negligence, they may be liable for the accident as well as related damages and losses.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in San Fernando Valley, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced Encino bike accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm. We can help you understand the legal options available to you in order for you to receive the compensation you need from a negligent motorist. Contact us today at 818-886-6600.

A former emergency room physician from Los Angeles was sentenced to five years in jail time for an accident with two cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Rd. in July 2008. The doctor deliberately slammed on his car brakes just moments after passing a pair of cyclists, causing one to smash into his rear window and the other to fall onto the curb pavement. The victim who slammed into the vehicle’s rear window had his nose sliced off and lost several teeth, while the other victim suffered from road rash and a separated shoulder.

In November 2009, a judge found the driver guilty of numerous charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, reckless driving causing specified bodily injury and mayhem. The doctor reportedly had “exchanged words” with the cyclists after sounding his horn at them. He had told a traffic investigator that he “passed them up and then stopped in front to teach them a lesson.” The judge calls the case a “wake-up call” to motorists and cyclists and urges city authorities to build more bike lanes.

A bicyclist is fatally injured every six hours in the United States. Cyclists, unfortunately, face serious dangers on the roads of Southern California. If you, or a family member, have suffered personal injury from a bicycle accident, you may be able to recoup compensation for medical expenses and other losses. Contact the experienced San Fernando Valley bike accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm to learn more about your rights and for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Source:http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/la-doctor-jailed-for-road-rage-attack-on-cyclists-24570

According to a report by the San Diego Union-Tribune, two teenage bicyclists were injured by a hit and run accident. The driver rolled down the window to ask if the two boys were ok, but quickly drove off after one of the boys had indicated that the other was bleeding and hurt. The boys were taken to the hospital and treated for minor cuts and abrasions while one had a possible broken nose.

Unfortunately for Californians, hit and run accidents have increased by 17% over the last five years according to a report made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). California also has one of the highest rates of hit and run accidents in the US. Hit and run accidents can be especially distressing for victims in that they often have to use their own insurance to pay for medical bills, repairs and damages.

Negligent and distracted drivers pose a risk to pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists. In fact, a bicyclist is fatally injured once every six hours in the US. Therefore, it is important to follow traffic laws and carry insurance. Also, take care to protect yourself when bicycling by wearing a helmet, being aware of motorists and learning the correct hand signals to communicate to drivers.

If you or someone in your family has been involved in a hit and run or bicycle accident, you may be entitled to recoup compensation for medical expenses, lost and future earnings, as well as pain and hardship. Contact one of the professional San Fernando Valley personal injury accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm for a free consultation. Knowing your rights can make the difference. Call (818) 886-6600 today.

Source:http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/19/2-bicyclists-injured-in-hit-run-accident/