At Breit Biniazan, we believe safety equipment should do the job consumers trust it to do. A bicycle helmet is designed to stay securely fastened during a crash and reduce the risk of catastrophic injury. When that does not happen, the consequences can change a person's life forever.
That principle was at the center of Fung/Hu v. Bell Sports, a five-week trial in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County. Working alongside the outstanding team at MLG Attorneys at Law, Kevin Biniazan served as trial counsel in a case involving a Bell bicycle helmet that failed during a crash, leaving our client with devastating injuries. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of $13,252,520, finding Bell Sports partially responsible for the injuries our client suffered.
When a Bell Bike Helmet Failed During a Crash
Dr. Daniel Fung, was an experienced cyclist enjoying a ride with friends when he was involved in what should have been a relatively low-speed bicycle accident. He was wearing a properly secured Bell Gage helmet before the collision. After the impact, the helmet had come off his head, exposing him to forces it was intended to prevent.
The result was a traumatic brain injury from a bike accident, including a brain bleed that ultimately ended the surgical career he had spent decades building. Evidence presented during trial focused on whether the Bell helmet defect allowed the helmet to separate during the crash and whether that failure substantially contributed to his injuries.
The case was not about whether bicycle accidents happen. Accidents are an unfortunate reality for cyclists. The question presented to the jury was whether a helmet marketed as protective performed as an ordinary consumer would reasonably expect when it mattered most.
A Bicycle Helmet Product Liability Case Built on Consumer Expectations
Product liability cases involving safety equipment often come down to a simple question. Did the product perform safely when it was used in a foreseeable way?
Jurors heard testimony regarding the helmet's buckle and retention system, expert testing, and consumer expectations. The evidence presented showed that a rider should reasonably expect a bicycle helmet to remain secured during a crash unless the impact destroys the helmet itself. That expectation is one of the fundamental reasons people choose to wear helmets in the first place.
When a helmet failed to protect a rider because it allegedly came off during the collision, the consequences became life changing. Testimony also addressed how keeping the helmet on our client's head could have significantly reduced or prevented the severe brain injury he experienced.
Cases involving a defective bicycle helmet require extensive engineering analysis, medical testimony, and accident reconstruction. They also require proving that the product's failure was a substantial factor in causing the injuries.
Why This Bell Sports Helmet Lawsuit Matters
This Bell Sports helmet lawsuit is significant because it reinforces an important principle in product liability law. Manufacturers that design and sell safety products can be held accountable when those products fail to perform as consumers reasonably expect.
Before trial, Bell Sports offered to resolve the case for $300,000. Our team, together with MLG Attorneys at Law, believed our client's story deserved to be heard by a jury. After five weeks of testimony and evidence, the jury returned a verdict of more than $13.25 million.
While every case is different and every injury must be evaluated on its own facts, this outcome demonstrates the importance of fully investigating claims involving defective safety equipment. It also reflects the value of presenting technical evidence in a way that jurors can understand.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident Involving a Helmet Failure
Many people assume that wearing a helmet means they are fully protected in a crash. While helmets can significantly reduce the risk of injury, they must function as intended.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident and believe your bike helmet failed during the crash, there are important steps you should consider taking:
- Preserve the helmet exactly as it was after the collision. Do not repair or alter it.
- Take photographs of the helmet, bicycle, and crash scene if possible.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation, even if symptoms appear minor. Traumatic brain injuries are not always immediately obvious.
- Keep medical records, photographs, and any purchase information for the helmet.
- Speak with an attorney before disposing of the helmet or communicating with the manufacturer.
A bicycle accident traumatic brain injury can have lasting physical, cognitive, and financial consequences. Identifying whether a product defect contributed to those injuries often requires experienced legal and engineering analysis.
Holding Manufacturers Accountable After a Defective Safety Equipment Lawsuit
Not every bicycle crash involves a product defect. At the same time, not every serious injury is simply the result of the accident itself. When safety equipment does not perform as designed, there may be grounds for a bicycle helmet product liability claim.
These cases are often complex because manufacturers frequently argue that the collision alone caused the injuries. Investigating a potential defective safety equipment lawsuit requires preserving evidence, working with qualified experts, and understanding how the product was designed, tested, and marketed.
At Breit Biniazan, we are committed to helping individuals and families pursue accountability when defective products contribute to catastrophic injuries. We are honored to have worked alongside MLG Attorneys at Law in securing justice for Dr. Fung and grateful for the trust he placed in our team throughout this case.
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury after a bicycle accident and believe a Bell bike helmet or another helmet may have failed during the collision, the attorneys at Breit Biniazan can evaluate whether you may have a product liability claim. Our team has experience handling complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and defective products, and our results reflect our commitment to pursuing accountability on behalf of injured clients. If you have questions about your legal options, contact us to schedule a consultation.
