I spend a lot of time listening to the client. You begin, then, to hear things that you didn’t think were possible. The imagination starts working and then you find a way.
Long Beach Child Bike Accident Lawyers
Legal Help for Your Child After a Long Beach Bicycle Accident Injury
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 900 people were killed in bicycle accidents in the U.S. in a recent year, with an estimated 494,000 treated in emergency rooms for bicycle accident injuries. Although bicycle trips account for only one percent of all trips taken, bicyclists account for nearly 2% of all traffic fatalities.
According to CDC, children ages 5-14 and teenagers and young adults ages 15-24 have the highest rate of non-fatal injuries in bicycle crashes. Adolescents ages 15-19 and adults 40 and older have the highest fatality rates in bicycle accidents.
Drivers have a duty to exercise additional care when children are present. If your child has been injured in a Long Beach bicycle collision with a vehicle as a result of driver negligence, you may have a valid claim for compensation, which is paid to cover your child's medical expenses and other losses.
At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, you will find a Long Beach child injury attorney with a successful track record recovering compensation for his clients. Our founding attorney has been awarded Martindale-Hubble® AV® Rating and 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo. We are dedicated to fighting for justice for children injured in bicycle accidents.
Increased Duty of Care for Drivers with Children in the Vicinity
A driver's liability for an accident with a bicyclist depends on whether the driver was negligent, and whether that negligence caused or contributed to the bicycle accident. Any driver has a duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. The degree of care considered reasonable increases when children are present.
If children are visible in an area, or the area is frequented by children, a driver must exercise unusual care. That includes paying close attention and being prepared to turn or stop suddenly, if necessary to avoid an accident. In the vicinity of schools, parks, school bus stops, residential neighborhoods, and other areas where children are likely to be present, drivers must be on the lookout and exercise even greater care than in other driving situations.
Comparative negligence, or the degree to which the injured party contributed to the accident, is a factor in California personal injury cases. However, drivers are held to a higher standard in the presence of children, and children injured in bicycle accidents with automobiles are held to a lower standard for the purposes of comparative negligence.
Long Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney Representing Seriously Injured Children
At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, we have history of success recovering substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients in personal injury matters. If your child has been injured on a bicycle by a negligent driver in Long Beach, a claim for compensation will not undo the damage, but it may help you provide the medical care your child needs and cover additional expenses resulting from the accident, along with non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Negligent drivers cause accidents every day. They may be texting and driving, alcohol impaired, driving aggressively, or simply careless and not exercising the necessary caution when children are nearby. Our dedicated legal team is committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and pursing full and fair compensation for children injured in bike accidents. Contact our office today to find out how we can help. Our Long Beach bicycle accident lawyers can be reached at (888) 454-5569.
Additional Information
- During Back to School Season, Practice Sharing the Road Safely With Bicyclists
- Bicycle Accidents Affecting Children: Know the Facts
- Bicycle Safety for Parents and Children in Southern California
- Bike Safety Tips for Kids