A L.A. Times article from earlier this year details the high costs that the city of Los Angeles is seeing due to an increase in serious bicycle crashes caused by road conditions. According to the article, one bicyclist became a quadriplegic after striking a piece of pavement ruptured by tree roots and breaking his neck, another died after hitting uneven pavement and flipping over the handlebars, and a third suffered a brain injury in a crash resulting from hitting a pothole.

In 2017, the city paid out more than $19 million in a string of 17 lawsuits related to bicycle accidents. This is almost four times higher than the amount that the city paid out in similar lawsuits in any year over the last decade.

There are multiple reasons for the continued street disrepair, many of which center around the high costs of repairs. As a result, the city has focused on spending less by repairing more salvageable streets, rather than those that would be extremely costly to repair. Although funding for street repairs has rebounded in recent years, the Bureau of Street Services hasn’t spent their entire budget, citing difficulties in finding people to fill vacant positions.

Furthermore, some bicyclists complain that the Bureau has failed to respond to their complaints about certain streets and focused on taking actions such as striping new bike lanes on roads that need repairs, rather than simply repairing them. A consultant to the city recommended that L.A. establish a single department to manage most programs related to streets and their repair, like other large cities, as well as avoid a “reactive” response to potholes and other street maintenance issues.

When you have suffered injuries while riding a bicycle due to another’s negligence, you will greatly benefit from calling us today and getting the advice that you need. Bonnici Law Group has the experience and knowledge that is invaluable when making a claim for compensation following a bicycle accident. When you need answers, contact Bonnici Law Group today at 858-261-5454. As we focus our efforts on bike-related personal injury cases and long-term disability claims, we know how to protect your rights and build a strong claim for compensation in your case.