Many drivers do not pay enough attention to what is going on around them. As a result, they collide with bicyclists. If you have been injured in this kind of accident and you believe it is the fault of the other driver, then you should pursue a bicycle accident claim.

Your first move should be to contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles. You will need a legal strategy, or at least the beginnings of one, before you file an official claim. Your lawyer will be eager to hear your side of the story. In the initial consultation, they will ask you to recall the events that led to the accident and all that happened afterward. Based on this information, they will decide whether you have a case. If it is decided that your case is strong and compelling enough to proceed, your story will be used as the basis of their legal strategy.

The Importance of Following Bicycle Laws
One of the things your bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles will listen for is the role you may have played in the accident. Bicycle riders must follow California bicycle laws. Some of the most important are:

• Your bike must have functioning brakes
• Your handlebars must be appropriately sized, and must not be above your shoulder height
• Your bicycle must be equipped with a lamp or headlight that can be seen from 300 feet to the front or either side of the bicycle
• The rear of your bike must be equipped with a red reflector that can be seen from at least 500 feet
• White or yellow reflectors must be attached to your pedals
• You must make every effort to be seen and signal your intention to drivers

If you have followed all of these rules and regulations and you were nevertheless struck by a motor vehicle, your case against the driver will be strong.

The Consequences of a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can turn your entire life upside down. As a bicycle rider, you are especially vulnerable to motor vehicles. They are faster, heavier, and more powerful. If you are hit by a car or truck, the consequences can be extreme. You can suffer severe injuries that can take years to recover from.

Even if you are lucky enough to walk away from such an accident, you should be seen by a physician. Although you may feel fine immediately after the accident, a thorough examination may reveal internal problems.

A bicycle accident can force you out of work for weeks or months, depriving you of income during that time. You will also have to pay for your medical treatment and long-term rehabilitative care. Even when you are healthy enough to go back to your job, you may have to reduce the number of hours you work or accept a lower-paying position.

The person whose negligence and attention has put you through all of this should be responsible for the losses you have faced and will continue to face. Hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles is the first step toward getting justice.

How A Bicycle Accident Attorney in Los Angeles Can Help
Either the person who hit you or their insurance company should pay you compensation for the expenses and the pain and suffering you have incurred. Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers are specialized in this area of law.

Here are some of the specific actions a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles will take to win the lawsuit you have filed:

1. Gather the Facts
   The first thing your lawyer will do is review the police report of the accident. They will also employ their own professional investigators to analyze the scene and re-interview witnesses. The driving record and physical state of the driver will also be investigated. If the person who hit you has a history of recklessness, was engaged in distracted driving, or was drinking before the accident, your lawyer will find out about it.
2. Employ Forensic Evidence
   The skid marks, debris, point of impact, and other evidence from the accident tell a story of how it unfolded. Your lawyer will engage the services of an accident reconstruction expert who can develop a simulation of the event based on the evidence. Your personal injury attorney in Los Angeles will also get medical experts to make sworn statements or to testify under oath that only a car accident could have caused the injuries you sustained.
3. The Law
   In the end, your lawyer must prove that the accident owed to the negligence or recklessness of the other driver, that you sustained injuries because of it, and that you are entitled to specific damages. The best Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers can make this case and get a jury judgment or compel the respondent to settle.