Ontario Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A bicycle accident can inflict severe, life-changing injuries on a cyclist. If you get injured in a bike accident in Ontario, it is crucial to protect your rights while seeking financial compensation for your losses.
The Ontario bicycle accident lawyers at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can advocate for your best interests during an insurance claim. We care about our clients and have years of experience in personal injury law. Contact us today for a free case evaluation with an Ontario injury attorney.
Why Choose Us?
- We have been serving the needs of injured accident victims in California since 1936.
- Our lawyers have recovered over $5 billion in successful settlements and jury verdicts.
- We are widely regarded by peers as personal injury attorneys at the top of our fields.
- Your lawyer will focus his or her full energy and attention on your case.
- There is never a fee for our services unless we win.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Ontario Can Help You
Hiring an attorney in Ontario can have numerous benefits for individuals who have been injured in bicycle accidents. Navigating bike accident law can be difficult without a legal background. Insurance companies do not make things easy; they are for-profit businesses that put their own interests above the well-being of their clients. You may need an attorney to advocate for your rights during insurance claim negotiations.
An attorney from Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can go up against an insurer on your behalf to fight for fair case results. We can hire highly qualified experts, return to the scene of the bicycle accident, collect evidence and information, speak to eyewitnesses, and take other steps to build your case. Then, we can aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation or even take your bike accident case to trial in San Bernardino County, if necessary.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Ontario, California
Determining who or what caused your bicycle accident in Ontario is one of the first steps toward recovering financial compensation for your losses. California is a tort-based insurance state, meaning recognizing fault is necessary before an accident victim can file an insurance claim. The at-fault person or party will be held responsible (liable) for paying for the victim’s injuries and related losses.
Common causes of Ontario bicycle accidents include:
- Bicycle defects
- Breaking bicycle laws
- Dangerous road defects
- Driving while distracted
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Following or passing too closely
- Ignoring a bicyclist’s right-of-way
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Speeding or racing
- Texting and driving
- Weaving in and out of lanes (reckless driving)
If a careless or reckless driver hits you while you are riding your bike, his or her car insurance company can be held liable for your injuries. If a road defect caused the crash, you may be able to bring a claim against the local or state government for poor road maintenance. A bicycle manufacturer may also face liability for a defect-related crash. Our lawyers can investigate your collision to determine fault and name the liable party/ies.
Bicycle Accidents Can Cause Life-Changing Injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes a bike, the bicyclist can suffer catastrophic injuries from the force of the impact. Colliding with the front of a vehicle could cause broken bones and blunt force trauma. The cyclist may also be launched from the bike and strike the motor vehicle, the road or a fixed object. Finally, a biker may be pulled beneath the tires of a vehicle, resulting in life-threatening injuries, permanent disabilities or death.
Injuries often associated with bicycle accidents include:
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Clavicle fractures
- Concussions
- Facial and dental trauma
- Herniated spinal disks
- Hip, leg and knee injuries
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Lacerations and road rash
- Neck and back injuries
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Soft-tissue damage (muscles, tendons, etc.)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Sadly, many bikers do not survive bicycle accidents in Ontario. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 125 bicyclists lost their lives in accidents in 2021. The attorneys at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP represent families in wrongful death claims as well as serious injury cases. We will be there for you and your family to protect your rights as you fight for justice for a wrongfully killed loved one.
California Bike Laws
In California, bicycle laws are in place to protect cyclists and establish rules for sharing the road with other vehicles. It is crucial for drivers to know and obey these laws to prevent bike accidents.
A few key bicycle laws to know are:
- Sharing the road. Bicycles have the right to be on the road with motor vehicles. However, they also share the same responsibilities to obey traffic laws and road signs.
- Right-of-way. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists as they would to other drivers, when applicable.
- Bicycle lanes. Bicyclists are required to use bike lanes when available. They are permitted to leave bike lanes to avoid hazards or make a turn.
- Helmet law. All cyclists under the age of 18 in California must wear helmets while riding. Adults over the age of 18 are not required to wear head protection.
If a driver in Ontario violates a bicycle law and causes an accident with a cyclist as a result, he or she can be held accountable for the victim’s injuries and related losses.
Who Pays for a Bicycle Accident in Ontario?
Motor vehicle drivers are often found liable, or financially responsible, for bicycle accidents in Ontario. If a driver breaks a traffic law or behaves negligently behind the wheel, he or she can be found at fault. The negligent driver’s car insurance company will be held accountable for the cyclist’s medical bills and property repairs.
If you get injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident, you may have to seek financial compensation from your own insurance company. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, this will pay for a hit-and-run collision. Other liable parties may include a government agency or a bicycle manufacturer.
Contact Us Today for a Free Bike Accident Case Consultation
Learn more about your legal rights, options and recovery opportunities as a bicycle accident victim in Ontario during a free consultation with an attorney at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP. We will meet with you during a one-on-one case evaluation to listen to your story, answer your questions and provide personalized legal advice. Call (800) 362-7427 or contact us online today.