Forensic Evidence in Bicycle Accident Cases
The bicycle accident reconstructionist -- like an episode of CSI.

June 30, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Despite the efforts by state and local governments to keep riders safe, bicycle accidents remain prevalent in California. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 716 fatal bicycle accidents occurred in 2008. California was second in the nation with 109 bicycle fatalities. Among the deaths, more than 80% were men. Alcohol consumption (either by the rider or the driver) played a part in nearly 1/3 of the accidents reported.

Dilemmas in Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists are entitled to the same compensation in accidents as motorcyclists, automobile drivers and pedestrians (e.g. money damages for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.) when it is proven who was at fault in causing the accident. When proving fault, however, a bicyclist may be at a significant disadvantage in recalling how the accident occurred. After all, in a typical car-bicycle collision, physical and emotional trauma may skew the bicyclist's recollection and actual knowledge. And the driver, in looking to protect his or her own interests, may give a different account to avoid criminal prosecution or personal liability in some circumstances.

The Bike Whisperer

Injured riders need someone who can reconstruct the accident and make a scientific account of how the accident actually occurred. Alex LaRiviere is a self-taught bicycle savant who has built a national reputation reconstructing accidents. Through each scrape, dent and broken piece of aluminum, LaRiviere can determine how an accident occurred and help people understand what defects in the bicycle, if any, contributed to the accident.

In work that could be cut from an episode of CSI, he has consulted on more than 700 cases in the past 28 years, and has testified as an expert in personal injury and wrongful death cases. In speaking to the San Jose Mercury News, LaRiviere explained that a damaged bike represents a snapshot of time. With evidence from the accident scene, police reports and sometimes surveillance tapes, he can discover important clues from the damaged bike that explain the rider's last seconds prior to the accident. He may also uncover the entire sequence of events, such as if and when the bicyclist lost control, whether the driver weaved into a bike lane, or whether road conditions contributed to the accident.

An expert like LaRiviere is of great use to personal injury attorneys, who can rely on such knowledge and experience to explain the possible causes of accidents that involve bicycles. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can explain your rights and assess your case.

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