Cycling Accidents in Los Angeles
In California and other major cities like Los Angeles and Manhattan, accidents are regrettably frequent. With heavy traffic, distracted driving, and limited protection for bicycle riders, even a small collision with another vehicle can leave lifelong injuries and severe loss. The anguish and loss that follow a bicycle accident can be understood if you or a loved one has been involved.
After such bicycle crash, it is one of the most important steps to connect with a personal injury lawyer for bicycle accidents. They help you protect your health, rights, and financial future through fighting for you legally against the liable party and providing maximum compensation as per your loss demand.
Since there is a limited amount of time to file a case, it is imperative that you get in touch with a lawyer for bicycle crash as soon as possible if something unfortunate like this occurs.
Our work as california bicycle accident injury attorneys at The Shahbaz Firm
When you hire The Shahbaz Firm for your bicycle accident case, our expert lawyer takes your cases, understands them, and then helps you provide compensation and justice for your loss.
Here is what you can expect our expert lawyers to do after taking up your bicycle case:
- Investigate the case: For every case, there is enough evidence to prove the guilty and liable party’s mistake. Our lawyer goes deeper into the case, investigating everything about the accident. They try to find the real reason for the accident and then accordingly move their evidence-based case.
- Determine liability: Upon inquiry and witness testimonials, we determine who actually is responsible for the accident and what the reasons were.
- Measure the loss: We try to understand what losses our client had to pay due to the accident. From physical injury to property damage and daily losses.
- Negotiate the compensation: Depending on the loss suffered by our client, we negotiate the amount with the insurance company so that they can recover all their financial losses as well as the medical bills for the treatment.
- Represent you in court if needed: In some cases, if negotiation and settlement are not successful, we approach the court and represent your case with confidence, as we are legally sound and come with evidence.
We offer specialized legal assistance for cases involving bicycle incidents.
The Shahbaz Firm is not limited to a city in California but our bicycle lawyer helps you in all the cities and even remote areas of the country.
- Riverside Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles: If your accident occurs somewhere in Riverside County but requires court representation in Los Angeles, we are there for you. Our expert attorney will take your case for the riverside accident as well.
- Manhattan Bicycle Accident Law Firm: Manhattan is a heavy traffic area, and road cycling accidents can happen here frequently. If your bicycle case happens somewhere in Manhattan, our lawyers understand the unique challenges of such cases.
What compensation can we help you get for your loss?
From medical bills, lost wages, and reduced working ability to rehabilitation, therapy, pain, and property damage, our lawyer can help you get compensation for your every loss. We keep you strong in the process and negotiate with insurance companies as high as possible.
Choose the trusted law firm to strengthen your case
If any misfortune like bicycle accidents in Los Angeles happens with you or your loved one, our expert attorney are always there for you to help legally. Choose the right expert, skill, and experience for your better future.
How These Accidents Actually Happen
Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents helps us build stronger cases and identify who’s liable.
Dooring is incredibly common, especially in areas with street parking. A driver or passenger opens their door without looking, and a cyclist crashes into it. These accidents happen fast and there’s often no way for the cyclist to avoid it. The person opening the door is almost always at fault, but they and their insurance company will still try to blame the cyclist.
Right hook accidents happen when a driver turns right without checking for cyclists. They either don’t look at all, or they look but don’t process that there’s a bike in their blind spot. The car turns directly into the cyclist’s path, causing a collision. These are particularly common at intersections and can be devastating.
Left cross accidents occur when a driver turning left fails to yield to an oncoming cyclist. They misjudge the cyclist’s speed or they just don’t see them at all. The cyclist has the right of way but gets hit anyway.
Rear-end collisions happen when drivers aren’t paying attention and plow into cyclists from behind. These are often the result of distracted driving – the driver is looking at their phone instead of the road.
Sideswipe accidents occur when drivers pass too close to cyclists or drift into bike lanes. California law requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, but many drivers ignore this. A sideswipe can knock a cyclist off their bike directly into traffic or onto the pavement.
Poor road conditions contribute to many accidents. Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, broken glass, oil slicks – these hazards are annoying in a car but can be deadly for cyclists. When poor road maintenance causes a bicycle accident, the city or county might share liability.
Running red lights or stop signs by drivers causes accidents at intersections. The cyclist has the right of way but the driver blows through the signal and hits them.
Unsafe lane changes where drivers merge or change lanes without checking their mirrors and blind spots, forcing cyclists off the road or hitting them directly.
Defective bike infrastructure sometimes plays a role. Bike lanes that end abruptly, poorly designed intersections, unclear signage – when bad design contributes to an accident, the government entity responsible for that design might be liable.
Impaired driving – drunk or drugged drivers hitting cyclists – happens more often than it should. These cases often involve punitive damages because the behavior is so reckless.
The Bias Against Cyclists
Here’s something that makes these cases harder than regular car accidents: there’s a bias against cyclists in our society. People assume cyclists are reckless, that they blow through red lights, that they don’t follow traffic rules, that they somehow deserve what happened.
It’s garbage, but it’s real, and we have to deal with it.
Insurance adjusters will come at your case with this bias. They’ll assume you were at fault regardless of what actually happened. They’ll look for any tiny violation they can point to – were you wearing dark clothing? Were you using lights? Did you signal? Were you in the bike lane or the regular lane?
Juries can have this bias too if a case goes to trial. Some people just don’t like cyclists and think roads are for cars only. As an experienced bicycle accident law firm, we know how to counter this bias. We present you as a responsible person following the rules who got hit by a careless driver. We educate juries about cyclists’ rights. We don’t let prejudice determine the outcome.
Building a Strong Bicycle Accident Case
Winning bicycle accident cases in Los Angeles requires thorough investigation and strong evidence. We don’t just accept the police report and hope for the best – we dig deeper.
Accident scene investigation happens as quickly as possible after we’re hired. We go to the location and look at sight lines, road conditions, signage, bike lane markings, and any hazards. We take photos and videos. We measure distances. We look at the scene from both the cyclist’s and driver’s perspective.
Witness statements are crucial. Other cyclists, pedestrians, drivers who saw what happened – we track them down and interview them while their memories are fresh. Their testimony can corroborate your version of events and prove the driver was at fault.
Police reports give us the officer’s initial assessment, but we don’t stop there. Sometimes police reports contain errors or miss important details. We use them as a starting point but conduct our own investigation.
Video footage can be incredibly powerful evidence. Traffic cameras, business security cameras, dashcams from other vehicles, even doorbell cameras from nearby homes – we search for any video that might have captured the accident.
Bike and vehicle damage tells a story about how the collision happened. We photograph and preserve both. Expert analysis of damage patterns can prove speed, point of impact, and sequence of events.
Medical records document your injuries thoroughly. We make sure everything is recorded – not just broken bones and visible injuries, but also soft tissue damage, psychological trauma, and any complications that develop.
Expert testimony might include accident reconstruction specialists who can explain exactly how the crash occurred, medical experts who testify about your injuries and prognosis, and economists who calculate your lost earning capacity.
Your cycling gear and equipment can provide evidence too. Helmet damage, tears in clothing, damage to your bike computer or lights – all of this helps tell the story.
As cycling accident lawyers with extensive experience, we know exactly what evidence to gather and how to present it effectively.
Bicycle Accidents: Fighting for Cyclists' Rights
Riding a bike shouldn’t be a death-defying act, but let’s be honest – it often feels that way. You’re out there with nothing but a helmet protecting you, sharing roads with drivers who are texting, rushing, or just flat-out not paying attention. The city talks about being bike-friendly, but the reality is that cyclists get hit every single day.
Maybe you were in a marked bike lane and someone opened their car door without looking. Maybe you were riding through an intersection and a driver turned right without checking their blind spot. Maybe you were following all the rules and someone just didn’t see you. However it happened, you’re hurt, your bike is destroyed, and you’re dealing with a driver or insurance company trying to blame you for the accident.
That’s not going to fly. Not when you have The Shahbaz Firm in your corner.
If you’ve been in an accident, our lawyers can help you get the compensation and support you deserve. The attorney specializes in helping people who have been involved in these accidents. If you need guidance, support or help with your claim, they can handle the legal process and make sure your rights are protected.
What Your Case Is Worth
Bicycle accident cases in Los Angeles can range from modest settlements to multi-million dollar verdicts depending on the severity of injuries and circumstances.
- Medical expenses include emergency room visits, ambulance transport, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and future medical care. Serious bicycle accidents can generate hundreds of thousands in medical bills.
- Lost wages cover time missed from work during recovery. For cyclists who commute by bike, we also factor in any additional costs they incur using other transportation.
- Lost earning capacity is huge in cases with permanent injuries. If you can't go back to your career because of your injuries, that's years or decades of lost income. We bring in economists to calculate the present value of lifetime earning losses.
- Property damage includes your bike, gear, clothing, helmet, lights, and any other equipment damaged in the crash. High-end bikes can be worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
- Pain and suffering compensates you for the physical pain and discomfort you've endured and will continue to endure. Chronic pain from injuries that don't fully heal deserves significant compensation.
- Emotional distress covers anxiety, depression, PTSD, or fear of cycling that develops after a serious accident. Many cyclists struggle to get back on a bike after being hit, and that psychological injury is real and compensable.
- Scarring and disfigurement from road rash or surgical scars can be compensated, especially when visible and permanent.
- Loss of enjoyment of life recognizes that injuries have changed what you can do. If cycling was central to your lifestyle, fitness routine, or identity, and you can no longer ride the same way, that's a significant loss.
- Punitive damages might be available in cases involving drunk driving, hit-and-run, or other especially reckless behavior. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Common Defenses and How We Counter Them
Insurance companies defending bicycle accident cases use predictable arguments. We’ve heard them all and know how to respond.
"The cyclist came out of nowhere."
This is the most common defense. Our response: cyclists don’t materialize out of thin air. If the driver had been paying attention and checking their mirrors and blind spots like they’re supposed to, they would have seen the cyclist. This defense usually indicates distracted or inattentive driving.
"The cyclist was riding recklessly."
They’ll claim you were going too fast, weaving through traffic, or not following traffic laws. We counter this by showing you were riding legally and safely, and that the driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise due care.
"The cyclist wasn't visible."
They’ll say it was dark, you weren’t using lights, you were wearing dark clothing. We respond by showing that drivers have a duty to see what’s there to be seen, and that proper attention would have revealed your presence. We also often prove you were using lights and reflective gear.
"The cyclist should have been in the bike lane."
Actually, cyclists are allowed to leave bike lanes when necessary for safety, to avoid hazards, or to make turns. We educate adjusters and juries about when it’s appropriate and legal to ride outside the bike lane.
"The cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet."
In California, adults aren’t required to wear helmets. And helmet use is only relevant to head injuries, not to other injuries or to liability. We don’t let them use this to reduce compensation for broken bones, road rash, or other injuries.
"Comparative fault."
They’ll try to pin some percentage of blame on you to reduce what they have to pay. We minimize your comparative fault by thoroughly proving the driver’s negligence and showing you were acting reasonably.
Why Bicycle Accidents Are Different
When a car hits a cyclist, the cyclist loses. Every single time. There’s no contest between 3,000 pounds of metal and a person on a bike.
The injuries we see in bicycle crash in Los Angeles are brutal. You’ve got nothing protecting you except maybe a helmet and some cycling gear. When you get hit, you’re going flying. You hit the pavement hard. You might get dragged. You might go under the vehicle. The physics are terrible, and the results are often catastrophic.
Road rash is one of the “minor” injuries, and even that’s awful. When you slide across asphalt at any speed, it strips away layers of skin. These wounds are incredibly painful, they’re prone to infection, and they often leave permanent scarring. We’ve had clients with road rash covering large portions of their body who needed skin grafts and multiple surgeries.
Broken bones are extremely common. Collarbones, wrists, arms, legs, ribs, pelvis – cyclists break everything when they get hit. Some of these breaks are simple fractures that heal in a few months. Others are compound fractures where bone pierces through skin, requiring extensive surgery with plates, rods, and screws. Some people end up with permanent hardware in their bodies and chronic pain that never fully goes away.
Head injuries terrify us because even with a helmet, you can suffer serious brain trauma. Concussions at minimum, but we’ve represented cyclists who suffered traumatic brain injuries that changed their cognitive function, personality, and ability to work. Brain injuries are unpredictable and sometimes the full extent doesn’t become clear until months after the accident.
Spinal injuries can leave cyclists paralyzed. The force of impact or the way you land can damage your spine in ways that can’t be fixed. We’ve had clients who went from being active, healthy cyclists to using wheelchairs for the rest of their lives.
Internal injuries happen when the impact is severe enough to damage organs. Your liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs can be injured in ways that aren’t immediately visible but can be life-threatening. Internal bleeding is a real concern after serious bicycle crashes.
And then there’s death. Cyclists die on LA roads with depressing regularity. When that happens, we represent their families in wrongful death claims, though no amount of money can truly compensate for that loss.
As a bicycle accident lawyer, we understand the unique challenges cyclists face both on the road and in the legal system afterward.
Your Rights as a Cyclist
Let’s be crystal clear about something: cyclists have the same rights to use the road as motor vehicles. In California, bicycles are considered vehicles under the law, and cyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of other vehicle operators.
You have the right to ride in the street. You have the right to use the full lane when necessary for safety. You have the right to use bike lanes where they exist. You have the right to expect that drivers will follow traffic laws and watch out for you.
Drivers have specific legal duties toward cyclists:
- They must give you at least three feet of clearance when passing
- They must yield to you when you have the right of way
- They must check for cyclists before opening doors, turning, or changing lanes
- They must not harass or intentionally endanger you
When drivers violate these duties and you get hurt as a result, they’re liable. Period.
Some cyclists are afraid to pursue claims because they weren’t wearing a helmet or they weren’t in a bike lane or they committed some minor traffic violation. Here’s the truth: even if you weren’t perfect, the driver is almost certainly more at fault. California uses comparative negligence, which means even if you were partially responsible, you can still recover damages proportional to the other party’s fault.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t deserve compensation because you’re “just a cyclist.” You have rights, and we’ll fight to protect them.
Why You Need a Lawyer Who Understands Cycling
Not every personal injury law firm can effectively handle bicycle accident cases. These cases have unique challenges that require specific knowledge and experience.
As a dedicated bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles, we understand cycling culture, cycling laws, and the specific issues cyclists face. We know the difference between road bikes and mountain bikes. We understand clipless pedals and why a cyclist might not be able to unclip quickly in an emergency. We know cycling hand signals and traffic patterns.
We know California Vehicle Code sections that protect cyclists. We know local ordinances in LA and surrounding cities. We understand bike infrastructure and can identify when poor design contributed to an accident.
We also know the anti-cyclist bias we’re fighting against and how to overcome it. We’ve developed effective strategies for educating insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and juries about cyclists’ rights and the realities of riding in urban environments.
Many of us at The Shahbaz Firm are cyclists ourselves. We’re not just lawyers who handle these cases – we’re people who understand what it’s like to ride in LA traffic and how vulnerable you are out there.
Taking Action After a Bicycle Accident
If you’re reading this after being hit while cycling, here’s what you need to do.
Get medical attention immediately.
Even if you don’t think you’re badly hurt, see a doctor. Adrenaline masks pain and some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Internal injuries can be life-threatening if not caught early.
Document everything.
Take photos of your injuries, your damaged bike and gear, the accident scene, the vehicle that hit you. Get contact information from witnesses. Write down everything you remember about how the accident happened.
Report the accident to police.
Get an official report documenting what happened. This is crucial evidence for your case.
Don't talk to the driver's insurance company
without consulting a lawyer first. They’ll try to get statements from you that can be used against you later.
Preserve evidence.
Keep your damaged bike, helmet, clothing, and gear. Don’t repair or replace anything until we’ve documented the damage.
Call The Shahbaz Firm as soon as possible.
The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence before it disappears.
Why Choose The Shahbaz Firm for Your Bicycle Accident Case
As the leading bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles, we bring specific expertise and dedication to every cycling case.
We know the law inside and out. We understand cyclists’ rights and how to prove driver negligence in cycling accident cases.
We investigate thoroughly. We gather every piece of evidence that supports your case and we move quickly before evidence disappears.
We’re tough negotiators who don’t accept inadequate settlements. Insurance companies know we’re willing to go to trial, which motivates them to make fair offers.
We care about the cycling community. We want to make LA safer for cyclists by holding negligent drivers accountable.
We work on contingency, which means you don’t pay unless we win. You’ve already lost your bike and possibly your ability to work – you shouldn’t have to pay legal fees upfront too.
Get the Help You Deserve
If you were hit while cycling in Los Angeles, don’t try to handle the insurance company alone. They’ll take advantage of you. Let us fight for you.
Call The Shahbaz Firm today for a free consultation. If you’ve been in an accident, our experienced lawyers can help you get the compensation and support you deserve. The attorney specializes in helping people who have been involved in these accidents. If you need guidance, support or help with your claim, they can handle the legal process and make sure your rights are protected.
You have rights as a cyclist. Let us protect them.
