Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is trying to become a cycling city. New bike lanes on major streets. Metro bike share expanding. Climate and topography that should make cycling ideal. But LA’s roads were built for cars, and too many drivers still treat cyclists as obstacles rather than legitimate road users.

When a driver doors you on Venice Boulevard, right-hooks you on Figueroa, or runs you down while texting on Sunset—you’re the one who ends up in the hospital. And then the insurance company shows up, looking for ways to blame the cyclist.

Insurance adjusters question why you were in the lane. They suggest you should have been on the sidewalk. They minimize injuries because you “chose” to ride a bike. This bias against cyclists infects every aspect of the claims process.

Cohen Injury Law Group represents injured cyclists throughout Los Angeles County. As a Los Angeles personal injury law firm with decades of experience, we understand bicycle accident cases and the laws that protect riders. Wayne R. Cohen has tried cases for more than three decades. He fights for cyclists against insurance companies that assume the rider was at fault.

We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation. If you need a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer, call us for a free consultation.

California Law: Cyclists Have The Same Rights As Drivers

California law is clear. Under Vehicle Code Section 21200, bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of motor vehicle drivers. You belong on the road. Drivers must treat you like any other vehicle.

Key California bicycle laws:

Three-Foot Passing Law. Vehicle Code Section 21760 requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. If the lane is too narrow, drivers must slow down and wait until they can pass safely. Violations are negligence per se.

Bike Lane Rights. Vehicle Code Section 21208 addresses when cyclists must use bike lanes—and importantly, the exceptions. Cyclists can leave bike lanes to pass other cyclists, avoid hazards, make left turns, or approach places where right turns are permitted. Drivers who assume cyclists must stay in bike lanes regardless of circumstances are wrong.

Dooring Prohibition. Vehicle Code Section 22517 makes it illegal to open a vehicle door into traffic unless it’s safe. Dooring a cyclist is a traffic violation. Both drivers and passengers can be liable.

Helmet Law. Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires helmets for riders under 18. Adults aren’t required to wear helmets—but not wearing one may affect compensation for head injuries.

Comparative Fault. Under Civil Code Section 1714, you can recover even if you share some fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility but isn’t eliminated.

A bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles uses these laws to counter driver and insurance company arguments that blame cyclists.

Types Of Bicycle Accidents In Los Angeles

LA’s car-centric infrastructure creates predictable collision patterns:

• Dooring accidents. A driver or passenger opens their door into your path. No time to react. You hit the door, get thrown into traffic, or both. Dooring is especially common along commercial streets with parallel parking—Ventura Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, streets throughout Hollywood and the Westside.
• Right-hook collisions. A car passes you, then immediately turns right—cutting across your path. The driver doesn’t check mirrors or simply doesn’t care. You hit the turning vehicle or get run over. Common at intersections throughout LA.
• Left-cross accidents. An oncoming vehicle turns left across your path. The driver misjudges your speed or doesn’t see you at all. One of the most common and deadly crash types for cyclists.
• Rear-end collisions. A driver hits you from behind. Distracted driving, speeding, failure to maintain safe passing distance. Cyclists have no protection from rear impacts.
• Intersection accidents. Drivers running red lights, rolling through stop signs, failing to yield when turning. Intersections are the most dangerous locations for LA cyclists.
• Bike lane intrusions. Drivers drifting into bike lanes while distracted, parking illegally in bike lanes, using bike lanes as turning lanes. Cyclists have the right to unobstructed bike lanes.
• Hit-and-run accidents. Drivers flee after hitting cyclists. LA’s hit-and-run problem extends to bicycle accidents. Your uninsured motorist coverage becomes critical.
• Road hazard crashes. Potholes, debris, cracked pavement, railroad tracks, drainage grates. LA’s infrastructure creates hazards that cars drive over but throw cyclists. Government entities responsible for road maintenance may be liable.
• Rideshare-related accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping suddenly for pickups, pulling into bike lanes, distracted by their apps. The rideshare explosion has created new hazards for LA cyclists.
• Commercial vehicle accidents. Delivery trucks, buses, and large vehicles have significant blind spots. Drivers rushing to make deliveries take risks that endanger cyclists.

Dangerous Roads For Cyclists In Los Angeles

Data from TIMS (Transportation Injury Mapping System) and LADOT’s Vision Zero initiative identify high-risk corridors:

Venice Boulevard. Heavy traffic, high speeds, significant cyclist activity. One of the deadliest streets in LA for all road users.

Figueroa Street. Through South LA and Downtown. High crash rates, heavy traffic, limited bike infrastructure despite improvements.

Sunset Boulevard. From Downtown through Hollywood and into Pacific Palisades. Speeding, distracted drivers, conflicts at intersections.

Santa Monica Boulevard. Through West Hollywood and into Santa Monica. Parallel parking creates dooring risk. Heavy nightlife traffic.

Wilshire Boulevard. Major east-west arterial. Heavy traffic, buses, conflicts at intersections throughout its length.

Pacific Coast Highway. Beautiful but deadly. High speeds, distracted drivers, limited shoulders. Cyclists riding PCH face serious risks.

Colorado Boulevard (Pasadena). Heavy traffic, parked cars, commercial activity creating dooring and right-hook risks.

Sepulveda Boulevard. Parallels the 405. Fast traffic, long distances between signals, drivers treating it like a freeway.

The LA River Bike Path. The path itself is relatively safe, but crossings at street level expose cyclists to vehicle traffic.

Downtown LA streets. Traffic congestion, pedestrians, delivery vehicles, drivers focused on navigation rather than cyclists.

Bicycle Accident Injuries

Cyclists lack the protection car occupants take for granted. No steel frame, no airbags, no crumple zones. Even helmets provide limited protection against vehicle impacts:

• Traumatic brain injuries. Head impacts against vehicles, pavement, or objects. Helmets reduce TBI severity but don’t prevent all brain injuries. Even “mild” concussions cause lasting cognitive problems.
• Spinal cord injuries. Impact forces damage spines. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, spinal cord damage. Many cyclists face permanent limitations or paralysis.
• Broken bones. Collarbones, wrists, arms, legs, hips, ribs. Cyclists break multiple bones in single crashes. Lower extremity fractures are especially common.
• Road rash. Sliding across pavement shreds skin. Severe road rash reaches muscle or bone, requires debridement and skin grafts, and leaves permanent scars.
• Facial and dental injuries. Even with helmets, faces are vulnerable. Broken jaws, lost teeth, facial fractures, eye injuries.
• Internal injuries. Handlebar impacts and blunt trauma damage organs. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent.
• Hand and wrist injuries. Cyclists instinctively brace falls with their hands. Broken wrists, scaphoid fractures, nerve damage. Hand injuries affect everything you do.
• Psychological trauma. PTSD, anxiety, fear of riding again. Bicycle accidents are terrifying. Emotional injuries deserve compensation.

What To Do After A Bicycle Accident In Los Angeles

Protecting your health and legal rights requires immediate action:

At The Scene

1. Don’t move unless necessary for safety. Spinal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Let paramedics assess you if there’s any possibility of serious injury.
2. Call 911. Get police and EMS to the scene. A police report documents what happened.
3. Get driver information. Name, phone, address, license number, insurance company and policy number, license plate. If the driver fled, note whatever you can—vehicle description, partial plate, direction of travel.
4. Identify witnesses. Names and phone numbers. Other cyclists, pedestrians, people in nearby businesses.
5. Document everything. Photograph vehicle damage, your bike, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks. Multiple angles.
6. Don’t admit fault. Even if you think you might have made a mistake, don’t say so. Let investigators determine fault.

After The Scene

1. Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain. Some injuries take hours or days to manifest.
2. Preserve your bike and gear. Don’t repair or dispose of your bicycle, helmet, or clothing. Damaged equipment is evidence.
3. Document your recovery. Photograph injuries as they develop. Keep a journal of pain, limitations, and how the injury affects daily life.
4. Don’t talk to the driver’s insurance without legal advice. Adjusters will try to blame you. A bicycle accident attorney handles communications.
5. Stay off social media. Photos of activities become “evidence” that your injuries aren’t serious.
6. Contact a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer. Free consultations let you understand your options while evidence is fresh.

Damages In Bicycle Accident Cases

Bicycle accident victims can recover:

Medical expenses. Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, doctors, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment. Bicycle injuries often require extensive treatment. Future medical costs for ongoing care.

Lost income. Wages lost during recovery. Future lost earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work long-term.

Property damage. Your bicycle at fair market or replacement value. Helmet, cycling computer, clothing, accessories. Quality cycling equipment is expensive.

Pain and suffering. Physical pain and emotional distress. The California Civil Jury Instructions guide how juries value these non-economic damages.

Disability. Permanent impairments affecting mobility, daily activities, or cycling ability.

Disfigurement. Scarring from road rash or surgery.

Loss of enjoyment. If you can’t ride anymore—or can’t do other activities you loved.

Wrongful death. If a cyclist dies, families recover funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.

Punitive damages. In cases involving drunk driving, road rage, or intentional conduct, punitive damages may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Claims

What If The Driver Says They Didn’t See Me?

That’s an admission of negligence, not a defense. Drivers must watch for cyclists. “I didn’t see you” means they weren’t paying attention. A bicycle accident lawyer uses this statement against them.

Can I Recover If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?

Yes. California doesn’t require adult helmet use. Not wearing a helmet doesn’t establish negligence on your part. However, compensation for head injuries specifically might be reduced if a helmet would have prevented or minimized them. Your overall claim remains valid.

What’s California’s Three-foot Law?

Vehicle Code Section 21760 requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. Violating this law is negligence per se—automatic proof of fault. If a driver passed too closely and hit you, they’re liable.

Can I Sue If I Was Doored?

Absolutely. Vehicle Code Section 22517 makes opening a door into traffic illegal unless safe. The person who opened the door is liable. Both drivers and passengers can be at fault.

What If The Driver Fled The Scene?

Hit-and-runs are common in LA bicycle accidents. Options include your own uninsured motorist coverage, crime victim compensation, or locating the driver through investigation (surveillance cameras, witnesses). An experienced Los Angeles accident attorney pursues all avenues.

What If I Was Riding On The Sidewalk?

Sidewalk riding rules vary by city in LA County. Even where prohibited, violating local ordinances doesn’t eliminate the driver’s duty of care. Comparative fault may apply, but you can still recover.

Do I Need A Lawyer For A Bicycle Accident?

Not legally required, but cyclists face bias that car accident victims don’t. Insurance companies assume riders are at fault. Unrepresented cyclists get lowballed. A bicycle accident lawyer levels the playing field and typically recovers more—even after fees.

How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

Depends on injuries, medical costs, lost income, and long-term impact. Minor injuries might settle for $15,000-$50,000. Serious injuries—TBI, spinal damage, multiple fractures, severe road rash—can be worth hundreds of thousands or millions. We assess value after reviewing specifics.

What If A Pothole Or Road Defect Caused My Crash?

Government entities responsible for road maintenance may be liable. You must file an administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act. These cases are viable but have strict deadlines. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains the process.

Can I Recover If I Was Partially At Fault?

Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence system reduces recovery by your percentage of fault but doesn’t eliminate it. Even at 40% fault, you recover 60% of damages.

What If I Was Hit By An Uber Or Lyft Driver?

Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance layers depending on the driver’s app status. Coverage up to $1 million may be available. A bicycle accident attorney navigates these claims.

What If My Bike Was Destroyed?

You recover fair market or replacement value. For expensive bikes—road bikes, e-bikes, custom builds—this can be significant. Document your bike’s value with purchase receipts, comparable sales, or expert appraisals.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit?

Two years from the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Claims against government entities require administrative claims within six months. Don’t wait—evidence disappears.

Should I Accept The Insurance Company’s First Offer?

Almost never. First offers are calculated to close files cheaply. Insurance companies expect injured people to accept quick money. Once you settle, you can’t get more. Your attorney evaluates whether offers are fair.

How Long Will My Case Take?

Simple cases with clear liability might settle in months. Serious injuries take longer—you shouldn’t settle before understanding your full prognosis. Litigation extends timelines to 1-2 years. We don’t rush settlements that undervalue claims.

Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Statistics

Cycling in LA carries real risks:

From NHTSA:

• 966 cyclists killed nationally in 2021
• Cyclist deaths increased 55% from 2010 to 2021
• 75% of cyclist deaths occur in urban areas
• 37% of fatal crashes involve alcohol (driver or cyclist)

From LADOT Vision Zero:

• Cyclists and pedestrians account for over half of LA traffic deaths
• 6% of streets account for 65% of deaths—the High Injury Network
• Many cyclist fatalities occur on streets without bike infrastructure

California data from TIMS:

• California leads the nation in cyclist fatalities
• Los Angeles County has the highest cyclist death count in the state
• Urban areas see most crashes, but rural roads have higher fatality rates

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides additional research on cyclist crash factors.

Local Resources For Bicycle Accidents In Los Angeles

Law Enforcement:

• LAPD – 911 for emergencies, (877) 275-5273 non-emergency
• CHP – Freeway and state highway accidents
• LA County Sheriff – Unincorporated areas

Bicycle Safety and Advocacy:

• LADOT Bicycle Program – City bike infrastructure
• LA County Bicycle Coalition – Advocacy and resources
• Metro Bike Hub – Bike parking and services

Crash Reporting and Data:

• TIMS (Transportation Injury Mapping System) – Crash data
• LADOT Vision Zero – Traffic safety initiative

Legal Resources:

• California Courts Self-Help Guide
• LA County Superior Court

Why Hire Cohen Injury Law Group For Your Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Case?

We respect cyclists. We reject the bias that cyclists don’t belong on the road. California law is clear—you have rights. We enforce them.

We understand cycling. Bike lanes, road hazards, three-foot law, dooring. We know what matters in bicycle cases and how to present it effectively.

We counter anti-cyclist bias. Insurance companies assume riders are at fault. We build cases with evidence that overcomes that assumption.

Trial experience. Insurance companies know which bicycle accident attorneys will actually go to court. Wayne R. Cohen has tried cases for over three decades. That reputation affects negotiations.

No fee unless we win. Contingency only. We advance all costs.

What our clients say:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I cannot recommend Nick enough. He is extremely supportive of the clients he works with, and approaches each case with precision and care. I trust Nick with any type of legal advice.”

Read more reviews on Google.

Schedule A Free Consultation With A Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you were hit while cycling anywhere in Los Angeles County, we’ll evaluate your case for free. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.

We represent injured cyclists throughout Los Angeles—from the beach bike paths to the Valley, from Downtown to the Westside.

The insurance company is looking for ways to blame you. Get someone on your side who knows how to fight back.

Contact our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation.