Immediately After Your Bike Accident
Our first priority after a bicycle accident in California is safety and medical care. Move out of traffic if possible, then call 911. Seek medical attention even if injuries feel minor—adrenaline often masks problems such as concussions, internal injuries, or road rash infections. Request a police report and obtain the report number. Take clear photos of the scene, your bicycle, visible injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions.
Collect names and contact information from witnesses and the other driver. Preserve your bicycle exactly as it is; do not repair it. Report the crash to your insurance company, but avoid detailed recorded statements until you speak with a lawyer who specializes in California bicycle accidents. Contact Bisnar Chase as soon as possible to protect evidence and meet deadlines.
California Bicycle Accident Lawyers | Statewide Bike Crash Attorneys Who Win Cases
Bisnar Chase represents injured cyclists across California. If you were hit by a car, truck, or another vehicle while riding a bicycle anywhere in the state, California law gives you strong rights to pursue compensation. Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for injury victims and maintains a 99% success rate. We work on a pure contingency fee—you pay nothing unless we win. Call 800-561-4887 for a free case evaluation.
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California Bike Injury Attorneys
What Is a Bicycle Accident Claim Worth in California?
The value of a bicycle accident claim in California depends on the severity of your injuries, the total cost of medical care (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, damage to your bicycle and gear, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
Minor cases with limited treatment often resolve in the low tens of thousands of dollars. Cases involving broken bones, surgery, or lasting impairment can reach six figures. Catastrophic injuries or wrongful-death claims can result in seven- or eight-figure recoveries.
Available insurance coverage—including the at-fault driver’s liability policy and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—also affects the final amount. An experienced California bicycle accident lawyer evaluates every element of damage and every available insurance source to pursue the full compensation the law allows.
A successful claim will include compensation for;
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Hospitalization fees
- The cost of rehabilitation
- Physical pain
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and other related damages
Why Hire a California Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Insurance companies regularly undervalue bicycle accident claims, dispute who was at fault, or pressure injured cyclists into quick, low settlements. A California bicycle accident lawyer protects your rights by investigating the crash, preserving evidence, calculating the true value of your losses, negotiating with insurers, and filing a lawsuit when necessary.
Most lawyers who handle these cases work on contingency, so you pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless they recover money for you. Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys bring decades of experience with serious bicycle cases throughout California, the resources to take cases to trial, and a focus solely on representing injured people rather than insurance companies.
How Liability Is Determined in a California Bicycle Accident
To recover compensation after a bicycle accident in California, you must generally show that another party’s negligence caused the crash. Common forms of negligence include speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, unsafe turning, and violations of the Three Feet for Safety Act.
California follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault—the recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Other parties, such as a government entity responsible for a dangerous road condition, may also share liability. Claims against public entities must be presented within 180 days under California Government Code section 911.2. Police reports, witness statements, camera footage, and accident reconstruction help prove fault.
How Much Do Bike Injury Attorneys in California Charge?
In California, the fee structure for personal injury attorneys is 30–42%, depending on how complex the case is and the resources needed to defend your case. Our firm typically charges 33% with the rest going to the plaintiff. We also fight to reduce your medical costs with all providers so that you put more money in your pocket from the settlement or verdict.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Bicycle Accident Claim?
The time it takes to settle a California bicycle accident claim can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the claim, the severity of the injuries, the insurance companies involved, and whether the case goes to trial.
- Medical treatment and ongoing recovery: The length of treatment depends on the severity of the injury and can range from a few weeks to several months or even years.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: Our bicycle accident law firm will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and interview witnesses. This process can take several weeks to a few months.
- Filing a bike injury claim: Our lawyers will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company (the defendant).
- Financial negotiations: Our trial attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. This process can take several months, depending on the case’s complexity and the insurer’s willingness to settle and cooperate.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit: Our attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf if a settlement cannot be reached. This can extend the process by several months, a year, or more.
- Trial: If the case goes to trial, it can take a year or more to resolve.
On average, a straightforward bicycle crash claim with minor injuries can be settled within a few months. However, more complex cases with severe injuries can take one to two years or longer to settle.
Working with seasoned California bicycle accident lawyers is critical to ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Call 800-561-4887 for a free consultation with Bisnar Chase.
Insurance Companies Maximize Profit
Insurance companies are businesses that aim to maximize their profits. Some may attempt to avoid paying bike accident claims or offer lower settlements after your serious bike accident.
Common Insurance Company Tactics
1. Disputing liability: The insurance company may argue that their policyholder was not at fault or that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident.
2. Questioning the severity of bike crash injuries: Insurers often attempt to downplay the severity of your injuries or claim that some of the significant injuries were pre-existing.
3. Offering low initial settlements: Insurance adjusters will offer a low initial settlement in hopes that you will accept it without negotiating or seeking legal advice.
4. Delaying the process: The insurance company often drags out the bike accident claim process, requiring extensive documentation, or taking a long time to respond to inquiries, hoping that you will become frustrated and accept a lower settlement.
5. Arguing comparative negligence: In some states, including California, the insurance company may argue that the cyclist’s negligence contributed to the accident, thus reducing the amount of compensation they are entitled to receive.
To protect your rights and ensure fair compensation, injured cyclists should consider hiring an experienced Southern California bicycle accident lawyer who specializes in serious bike collision cases.
Does Car Insurance Cover a Bicycle Accident?
Yes. Cyclists and pedestrians injured by a car would be covered under the driver’s insurance policy.
Depending on the driver’s insurance coverage, you may be able to file a claim under liability coverage, PIP (personal injury protection), uninsured motorist coverage, or medical payments coverage.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
There are numerous ways in which bicycle riders can end up dead or left with severe bike accident injuries. Some of the common causes of bicycle accidents are as follows:
- Failure on the part of a motor vehicle to yield the right-of-way
- Bike lane intrusion
- Traffic or roadway conditions
- Failure to stop at an intersection or traffic signals
- Car door collision: accidents where drivers open doors of parked vehicles directly into a biker’s path
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Distracted driving
- Roadways with potholes or debris
- Poor lighting
- Negligent hit and run
- Dangerous roadway design
Additional dangers exist for riders of electric bikes, as they can reach higher speeds than pedal-powered bicycles. They are also subject to different laws. Please speak to our e-bike accident lawyers for expert help.
Types of Injuries From a Bicycle Accident
- Road rash: Depending on the impact intensity of the bicycle crash, road rash can be quite severe.
- Bone fractures and broken bones: Bike collisions often result in fractures, particularly to the wrist, arm, shoulder, ribs, hips, leg, and ankle bones.
- Brain and head trauma: A head hitting the ground or a moving car at a fast speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and contusions, as well as skull fractures. These may result in persistent cognitive issues.
- Spinal cord injuries: Bicycle crashes may cause harm to the spinal cord and vertebrae, which could result in paralysis below the site of injury.
- Damage to soft tissues: Common injuries include deep cuts, severe bruising, muscle rips, knee injuries, wrist fractures, and joint injuries.
- Emotional distress: Suffering long-term mental issues is common and can lead to anxiety and PTSD requiring treatment.
- Nerve damage: Injuries affecting the nerves can be complex to treat and lead to long-term pain.
Key California Bicycle Laws That Protect Cyclists
California Vehicle Code section 21200 gives bicyclists the same rights and duties as drivers of vehicles when riding on the roadway. Cyclists must obey traffic signals, stop signs, and other traffic laws. Section 21202 generally requires riding as far to the right as practicable, with exceptions for passing, preparing to turn, or avoiding hazards.
The Three Feet for Safety Act requires motorists to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Violations of these rules frequently establish liability in bicycle accident claims. State law requires helmets only for riders under 18; adults are not required to wear helmets, although doing so significantly reduces the risk of serious head injury.
Latest Bicycle Accident Statistics as 2024
California continues to record a high number of serious bicycle crashes. According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety and UC Berkeley SafeTREC (drawn from FARS and SWITRS), 145 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in California in 2023.
That number was a 20.8% decrease from 183 fatalities in 2022. The recent five-year average remains near 150 bicycle fatalities per year. Males account for approximately 88% of those fatalities. Los Angeles County consistently reports the highest totals, followed by other large urban counties.
Leading contributing factors in fatal and serious injury crashes include unsafe speed, improper turning, and failure to yield the right of way. These official figures highlight the real risks California cyclists face.
- Males account for 88% of bicycle fatalities and 80% of severe injuries.
- Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego have the highest percentage of bike accidents.
- The highest number of fatalities from bike accidents occurred in Fresno, Orange, Riverside, and Santa Clara counties.
- The top five primary crash factors for fatal and serious injury crashes in bicycling were improper turning, unsafe speed, automobile right-of-way, traffic signals and signs, and the wrong side of the road.
Staying Safe on Your Bike
Riding your bicycle is a healthy way of getting around, saving money, and doing your part to preserve the environment. Unfortunately, bike riding can be hazardous. If you enjoy riding, you should be aware of how to stay safe on congested roads and how to assert your legal rights if you suffer injuries in a bicycle accident resulting from someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
A bicycle accident can happen at any time. All cyclists must do their part to prevent serious injuries and serious accidents. At the same time, motorists must also remember that they share the roadways with other vehicles, such as motorcycles and bicycles. Perhaps the best way to prevent an accident is to ride defensively.
Keep your distance from vehicles, avoid blind spots, and never assume drivers can see you. You can also prevent bike accidents by making drivers aware of your intentions. Use hand signals when turning, and make eye contact with nearby motorists before entering an intersection.
Several ways to increase your visibility include wearing bright clothing, installing red and white reflectors, utilizing a white lamp on the front of your bike, and turning on a flashing light on your rear seat. Above all, wear a helmet at all times. Head injuries in a bicycle accident are all too common. If you’ve been injured, contact our California bicycle accident attorneys today.
Most Dangerous Areas to Cycle in California
To avoid repeat bicycle injuries, try to avoid areas where known catastrophic injuries and bike accidents are common. Some spots in California are incredibly dangerous for cyclists. Since we have so many beach cities, many bike accidents occur along PCH.
1. Los Angeles County: The city of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas have a high number of bicycle accidents due to heavy traffic, congested streets, and a lack of dedicated bike lanes in some areas.
2. San Francisco: While San Francisco is known for being bike-friendly, its steep hills, narrow streets, and dense traffic can make cycling hazardous. Areas like Market Street and the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood have seen a high number of bike accidents.
3. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH): This scenic coastal route is popular among cyclists but can be dangerous due to high-speed traffic, narrow shoulders, and winding roads.
4. San Diego: The city has seen a high number of bicycle accidents, particularly in areas like downtown, Pacific Beach, and North Park.
5. Sacramento: The state capital has experienced many bicycle accidents, especially in areas with high traffic volumes and dangerous intersections.
6. Fresno: Fresno has faced challenges with bicycle safety due to a lack of dedicated bike lanes and high-speed traffic on many streets.
7. Oakland: The city has seen a high number of bicycle accidents, particularly in areas with heavy traffic and limited bike infrastructure.
Top-Rated California Bike Accident Lawyers
After a bicycle accident, our trial attorneys will guide you through each step of the claim process with our expertise and understanding of motor vehicle rules of the road and driver’s responsibilities. With a strong reputation in the legal community and decades of experience, we provide comprehensive legal services and consultations to the cycling community, ensuring you can access the best options for a successful outcome in your injury case.
We are dedicated to representing bike riders. For over four decades, the Southern California bike accident attorneys of Bisnar Chase have represented over 12,000 accident victims and served areas such as Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and even further afield.
We have the resources and talent to win extremely difficult bicycle accident cases. Our law office might be able to help you get compensation even if other attorneys have told you that you don’t have a case. Call 800-561-4887 for a free consultation.
Don’t wait for the statute of limitations to expire. Get help today from our passionate and professional team of trial lawyers. Call the law firm of Bisnar Chase at 800-561-4887 for a free consultation.
Bicycle Accident, Safety and Injury
Video: The NHTSA offers bicycle safety tips for adults, including learning how to “drive your bike” just like you would drive a car. Mountain bikes, cruisers, and ten-speeds all have different safety precautions to take into consideration.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
