Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
California vehicle code treats bicycles as vehicles, which means you have the same rights and responsibilities as any car on the road. Drivers must give you three feet of clearance when passing. When a driver clips you because they refused to wait two seconds for a safe passing opportunity, they've broken the law, and they're liable for your injuries. Cities across Los Angeles County have also installed protected bike lanes, sharrows, and dedicated cycling infrastructure that drivers are required to respect. A car parked in a bike lane or a driver cutting through one to make a turn is committing a violation that can form the basis of a negligence claim if you're injured. The three-foot passing rule applies everywhere, not just on marked cycling routes. It’s a good idea to work with a bike accident attorney in Los Angeles if you’ve been hurt. Many cyclists don't realize how strong their legal position is after an accident because insurance adjusters work hard to create doubt and confusion about fault.
The term "dooring" describes what happens when someone in a parked car opens their door directly into a cyclist's path. This type of collision can throw you over the handlebars and into traffic. Under California law, the person opening the door is responsible for checking that it's safe to do so, period. Right hook accidents happen when a car passes you on the left and then immediately turns right. This cuts across your path before you can react. Left cross accidents occur when an oncoming vehicle turns left directly into you because the driver didn't register the cyclist coming toward them. Intersection crashes account for a huge percentage of bicycle accidents because so many drivers treat stop signs and red lights as suggestions rather than commands. Driveways and parking lot exits present similar dangers since drivers backing out are looking for cars, not bikes. A bike accident attorney in Los Angeles sees these same patterns over and over because drivers keep making the same mistakes.
Insurance companies protect their profits by paying out as little as possible on every claim. The moment you file a claim after a bicycle accident, an adjuster starts building a case against you. They'll argue you weren't wearing a helmet even though California only requires helmets for riders under 18. They'll claim you were in the middle of the lane when you should have been to the right, ignoring the fact that cyclists can legally take the full lane when it's unsafe to ride on the edge. They'll suggest you were riding too fast, or too slow, or that you came out of nowhere when in reality the driver simply wasn't looking. Some adjusters will try to get you to give a recorded statement before you've talked to a lawyer, so you'll say something they can twist into an admission of fault. They might even hire an investigator to check your social media for photos of you biking or being active, then argue your injuries can't be that serious. A bike crash attorney in Los Angeles understands these tactics because we've seen them deployed against our clients hundreds of times, and we know exactly how to counter them with evidence and legal arguments that hold up.
Your medical bills represent just one piece of what you can recover after a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver. Lost wages matter because you might be out of work for weeks or months while you heal from broken bones, road rash, or a traumatic brain injury. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, you can pursue compensation for your reduced earning capacity over the rest of your working life. Pain and suffering damages acknowledge that getting hit by a car is traumatic in ways that go beyond the physical. You might develop anxiety about cycling again, or struggle with depression during a long recovery. Your bike and gear were probably destroyed in the crash, and you deserve compensation for replacing them. Future medical expenses come into play when your injuries require ongoing treatment, physical therapy, or surgery down the road. A bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles will calculate the true value of your claim by looking at everything you've lost and everything the accident will cost you going forward, not just the stack of bills sitting on your counter right now.
If you've been injured in a bicycle accident, don't let an insurance company push you around or convince you that you were somehow at fault for a driver's negligence. When you're looking for a bike crash attorney in Los Angeles, give us a call. We fight for cyclists because we believe everyone deserves to share the road safely and get fair compensation when a careless driver takes that away. Contact My Lawyer Manwel today for a consultation about your case.
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I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
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My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.