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Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles has some of the most dangerous streets in the country for cyclists. If a driver hit you while you were on your bike, you are dealing with real injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance company that is already working to minimize what it pays you. You need a bicycle accident attorney in Los Angeles who knows how to fight back and win.
At Culver Legal, LLP, our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across California. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Call us at (310) 600-7881 for a free case evaluation.
Why Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles Are So Dangerous
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Los Angeles County consistently ranks among the highest in the state for bicycle fatalities and serious injuries. Cyclists share roads with aggressive drivers, distracted commuters, and delivery trucks that routinely block bike lanes. Intersections near downtown and along corridors like Wilshire Boulevard see some of the highest collision rates in the city.
Common causes of serious bicycle accidents in Los Angeles include:
- Drivers opening car doors into the path of a cyclist (dooring accidents)
- Right-of-way violations at intersections
- Drivers failing to yield when turning across a bike lane
- Distracted driving, including phone use
- Speeding in residential zones where cyclists have legal road access
- Poorly maintained road surfaces and missing bike lane markings
Injuries in bicycle crashes are severe because cyclists have no structural protection. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and internal organ damage are all common outcomes. Even a low-speed collision can cause injuries that require surgery and months of rehabilitation.
What California Law Says About Bicycle Accidents
California Vehicle Code Section 21200 gives cyclists the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers. Drivers who violate that right-of-way and cause a collision are liable for the harm they cause. California Civil Code also imposes a strict duty of care on all drivers to watch for cyclists, slow down near bike lanes, and give cyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when passing.
California is a pure comparative fault state. Even if an insurer claims you were partially responsible for the crash, your right to recover compensation is not eliminated. If your case is worth $500,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you still recover $400,000. Fault percentage reduces the award; it does not wipe it out.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the at-fault party is a government entity, such as a city that failed to maintain a dangerous road condition, you have six months to file an administrative claim before that deadline. Missing either window ends your right to recover.
California law does not require cyclists to wear helmets if they are 18 or older. An insurer may try to argue that riding without a helmet reduces your recovery. Our attorneys know how to counter that argument and protect your full claim. For a deeper look at how California law applies to all types of bicycle injury cases, see our bicycle accident practice page.
What Insurance Companies Do After a Bicycle Crash
The driver’s insurer will contact you quickly after the accident. They may seem cooperative. They are not on your side. Their job is to close your claim for as little money as possible.
- They will ask for a recorded statement and use anything you say to reduce your payout.
- They will make an early settlement offer before your full injuries are known.n
- They will dispute the severity of your injuries or blame pre-existing conditions
- Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more compensation, even if your condition worsens.
Do not give a recorded statement. Do not sign anything. Call Culver Legal first.
Neighborhoods and Roads Where Bicycle Accidents Happen Most in Los Angeles
Our attorneys handle bicycle accident cases across every part of Los Angeles. We regularly represent clients injured near Leimert Park, where cyclists share narrow streets with heavy local traffic, and along the Expo Line bike path corridor in Culver City and Mid-City, where crossings with vehicle traffic create recurring hazard points. Silver Lake and Echo Park cyclists face dangerous conditions on hilly roads where drivers frequently cut corners. Venice Beach cyclists navigating the transition from the beach path onto city streets face a concentrated risk zone where driver attention drops sharply.
We also handle cases involving accidents near Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, two major trauma centers where bicycle accident victims are frequently treated after serious crashes in the surrounding areas.
What You Can Recover in a Bicycle Accident Claim
A strong bicycle accident claim covers more than the emergency room bill. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to recover:
- All past and future medical expenses, including surgery, physical therapy, and specialist care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Bike repair or replacement costs
- Scarring and disfigurement damages
- Wrongful death damages if a family member was killed in the crash
California law also allows for punitive damages in cases involving egregious conduct, such as a driver who was drunk, texting, or had a prior record of dangerous behavior.
Why Clients Choose Culver Legal for Bicycle Accident Cases
Results matter in personal injury law. Culver Legal has delivered:
- Over $1 billion recovered for injured clients
- $4 million recovered in a single auto accident case
- $2.25 million recovered in a motorcycle accident case
- $3.7 million recovered in a personal injury case
Our team includes attorneys Thanos Simoudis, David Merabi, Dario C. Gomez, Victoria Manesh, Michael Domingo, and Michael B. Huynh. We are available 24/7, bilingual in English and Spanish, and we never charge a fee unless we win your case.
If your immigration status is a concern, California law is clear: immigration status cannot be used against you in a personal injury case. Your right to file and to recover full compensation is protected regardless of your status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer if the driver’s insurance already offered me a settlement?
Early settlement offers are almost always lower than what your case is actually worth. The insurer makes that offer before your full medical picture is clear, before you know whether you need surgery or long-term care, and before you know the total impact on your ability to work. Once you accept, the claim is closed. Culver Legal reviews settlement offers at no charge, so you know exactly what you are giving up before you sign anything.
The driver says I ran a red light. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. California’s pure comparative fault rules mean you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the collision. The driver’s insurer may try to assign you a high fault percentage to reduce the payout. Our attorneys gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence to challenge those assignments and protect your recovery.
What if I were hit in a bike lane on a Los Angeles street?
Drivers in Los Angeles are legally prohibited from entering a designated bike lane except to turn or park. If a driver swerved into the bike lane and struck you, that violation is direct evidence of negligence. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation maintains records on bike lane locations and any documented infrastructure issues at the crash site, which can support your claim.
How long will my bicycle accident case take to resolve?
Cases that settle before trial typically resolve within six to eighteen months, depending on the severity of the injuries and how quickly the insurer moves. Cases that go to trial take longer. We do not recommend settling before you have reached maximum medical improvement, meaning your doctors have a clear picture of your long-term condition, because settling early can leave future medical costs uncovered.
Can I file a claim if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash?
California law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. An insurer may argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to your head injuries and try to reduce your recovery on comparative fault grounds. Our attorneys know how to respond to that argument and to present evidence that the driver’s conduct was the primary cause of your injuries and your losses.
Contact a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Culver Legal, LLP represents bicycle accident victims throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding communities of Santa Monica, Inglewood, Culver City, West Hollywood, and Burbank. If you were injured on a bike in Los Angeles, our attorneys are ready to move fast, protect your claim, and pursue every dollar you are owed. Call Get Your Free Case Evaluation and speak with our team now.
Culver Legal, LLP
5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1370
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 600-7881
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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