Our Successful Track Record Handling Bicycle Accident Cases

The law firm of Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein, LLP has successfully represented bicyclists in cases including:

Most recently, Personal Injury partner Howard Krepack successfully settled a complex suit against multiple defendants, including the California Dept. of Transportation, for the death of cyclist Scott Bleifer.

Scott Bleifer was training for an eight-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, one of many fundraising events he regularly participated in for non-profit organizations, when a catering truck struck and killed him in September 2005.

"This was a tragic death and tremendous loss, not only for Scott's family, but for the entire cycling community,"says Krepack, also an avid cyclist. "Everyone who knew Scott thought of him as a vibrant and caring person."

Cal Trans had granted the permit for a private construction project on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, but decided against creating a replacement lane for cyclists. Finding his usual path blocked, Bleifer was forced into traffic, where he died.

Krepack says Bleifer belied the stereotype of cyclists as "a teenager or 20-something who takes too many risks. Scott was 41, had been a vice president of Union Bank since 1992, and very conscious of safety when he rode his bike."

Bleifer was also an adventurer who took cycling trips in Tuscany and Hawaii, traveled by himself to Vietnam and hiked to the top of Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city in Peru. Bleifer's friends and family also knew how much he loved his chocolate lab, Kona. They were often seen on walks in his neighborhood.

Bleifer was a longtime member of Velo Club La Grange, one of the largest and oldest cycling clubs on the West Coast. Through his work with the Bleifer family, Krepack was inspired to join La Grange, where he is active in the club's Public Policy Committee.

"Cyclists, motorists and the government must work together to make the roads safe for all of us,"Krepack said. "There is no reason why Los Angeles can't be a bicycle-friendly city."

The firm has also successfully represented clients who sustained the following injuries in bicycle accidents:

Back, neck and shoulder injuries
Our client was riding his bicycle in Santa Monica and had the right-of-way when he was t-boned by a motorist. He sustained serious injuries to his back, neck and shoulder and suffered scarring to his face and leg.

Result: Substantial Six-Figure Settlement

Result: Substantial Six-Figure Settlement

Arm, hand and rib fractures

Our client was riding his bicycle northbound at approximately 30 mph when a motorist made a U-turn from south to north and struck him. Our client suffered fractures of his right arm, right hand and ribs, as well as permanent scarring and possible permanent deformity of his right arm.

Result: Settled favorably on behalf of our client.

Please call us at (213) 739-7000 if you have been injured in a bicycle accident and would like to talk with an attorney.