Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident involved a government entity — such as a city bus or a poorly maintained LA Department of Public Works road — you must file a government tort claim within just six months. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation, so we strongly recommend contacting us as soon as possible after your crash.

Call 911 to get a police report on record, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Photograph everything at the scene — your bike, the vehicle, road conditions, skid marks, and any hazards like potholes on streets like Cahuenga Blvd or the LA River bike path. Seek medical care that same day and keep all records, because gaps in treatment are one of the first things insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim.

Liability depends on the facts, but potentially responsible parties include the negligent driver who struck you, a vehicle owner if different from the driver, a city or county agency if a dangerous road condition contributed (such as a broken lane marking on the 4th Street bridge), or even a rideshare driver acting within the scope of employment. We investigate every angle to identify all liable parties, because recovering from multiple defendants often means larger compensation for you.

California follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the crash. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault — so if you are found 20% at fault, you still collect 80% of your damages. Insurance companies routinely inflate your share of blame to reduce payouts, which is exactly why having an attorney negotiate on your behalf matters so much.

You may be entitled to economic damages — medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and property damage to your bike and gear — as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving a driver who was drunk, distracted, or egregiously reckless, punitive damages may also be available. We work with medical and financial experts to build a complete picture of your losses so nothing is left on the table.

Every case is different, but key factors include the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, how long you are unable to work, and the degree of the other party’s negligence. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and road rash requiring surgery typically produce higher-value claims than minor soft tissue injuries. We offer a free case evaluation to give you a realistic range based on the specific facts of your accident.

California law (Vehicle Code §21212) requires helmets only for cyclists under 18, so adult riders are not legally required to wear one. However, if you were not wearing a helmet and suffered a head injury, the defense may argue comparative fault and seek to reduce your recovery. We anticipate that argument and work with accident reconstruction and medical experts to counter it effectively.

No — we handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so there are no out-of-pocket costs to start your case. This arrangement also means we are financially motivated to maximize your recovery.

Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer without speaking to us first — adjusters are trained to get you to say things that limit your claim. California is a fault-based insurance state, so the at-fault driver’s liability policy is the primary source of recovery, but limits can be low. We handle all insurer communications on your behalf and know when a settlement offer is fair versus a lowball attempt.

If the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage applies to bicycle accidents in California — a fact many cyclists don’t realize. We examine every available policy, including those of household family members, to ensure you are not left without compensation. If a hit-and-run driver is later identified through surveillance footage or witnesses common in areas like the Silver Lake or Los Feliz corridor, we pursue them directly as well.

Straightforward cases with clear liability and limited injuries can settle in three to six months; cases involving severe injuries, disputed fault, or government defendants routinely take one to three years, especially if we need to file suit in LA Superior Court. We never rush a settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known, because once you sign a release you cannot go back for more money. We keep you updated at every stage so you are never left guessing.

Yes — property damage to your bicycle, helmet, clothing, and any electronics on the bike is a recoverable economic loss separate from your injury claim. We document all replacement and repair costs as part of your damages, and in California you are also entitled to the fair market value of items that cannot be economically repaired. Keep all receipts for replacement gear purchased after the accident.

Los Angeles and surrounding municipalities have a duty to maintain safe road conditions for cyclists, including properly marked bike lanes and hazard-free pavement. If a pothole, missing lane marker, or defective road design contributed to your crash — such as on the South Bay Bicycle Path or along Broadway — we investigate whether a government entity shares liability. Suing a public agency in California requires strict compliance with the Government Claims Act, and our team handles that entire process.

Ideally, get medical care first — your health is the priority, and a prompt medical record creates a direct link between the accident and your injuries. That said, you can call us before or after your first doctor visit; we can help you understand which types of specialists to see and ensure your treatment is properly documented. Many bicycle accident injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injury, are not immediately apparent, so never skip a medical evaluation even if you feel fine.

Cyclists face far greater injury severity because they have no protective frame around them — impacts that might total a car can be fatal or permanently disabling for a rider. Insurance adjusters also tend to be more aggressive in blaming cyclists, citing lane positioning, failure to use lights, or riding on streets like Ventura Blvd where cyclists and drivers frequently conflict. We understand local LAPD crash reporting practices, LA Superior Court jury tendencies, and the specific biomechanics of bicycle collisions, giving you an advantage that a generalist attorney may not provide.