If a driver’s carelessness in California left you with injuries from a bicycle accident, you have specific legal rights. State law provides a clear path to seek payment for the harm and financial losses you've suffered. Our role as California bicycle accident attorneys is to uphold these rights and manage the process for you.
Right now, your focus is on healing. But the background noise of mounting medical bills and lost paychecks can be deafening. You might feel the weight of an insurance company pushing for a quick, low-cost settlement.
This is a vulnerable time, and we get that. Our firm exists to lift that pressure off your shoulders. If you have questions about what happened and what comes next, we're here with straight answers. Call us for a no-cost discussion about your situation at (619) 864-7101.
Key Takeaways for California Bicycle Accident Claims
- You have a limited time to act. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but if a government entity is involved, that window shrinks to just six months to file an initial claim. Acting quickly preserves your right to pursue compensation.
- Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages. California law allows you to seek compensation even if you contributed to the accident, but your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This makes it incredibly important to have a strong advocate who can protect you from being assigned unfair blame.
- Compensation covers more than just medical bills. You can pursue payment for tangible costs like lost wages and property damage, as well as for the physical pain, emotional distress, and disruption to your life the accident has caused.
Why Choose Harris Personal Injury Lawyers?
When you're deciding who should represent you, experience and results speak volumes. Our firm was founded on the principle of providing injured people with the same powerful legal representation that large insurance companies use.
A Record of Success in Bicycle Accident Cases
We've recovered over $800 million for our clients throughout California. Our attorneys secured three of the No. 1 “Top Settlements in California in 2023,” as recognized by Top Verdict, including:
- $6,000,000 Settlement: For a collision between a truck and a bicycle.
- $300,000 Settlement: For a collision involving a bicycle and a pedestrian.
5 Reasons to Partner With Our Firm
- Access to Premier Medical Professionals: We can connect you with doctors who specialize in accident-related injuries. This ensures you receive the care you need with minimal or no upfront costs, even if your health insurance has a high deductible or coverage limits.
- We Manage the Difficult Tasks: Let our team take over the insurance paperwork, police reports, and bill collection. This frees you to concentrate on what matters most—recovering and rebuilding your life.
- The Resources to Challenge Insurance Companies: Billion-dollar insurance corporations save money when you settle your claim alone. We have the resources to advance the costs of collecting evidence and hiring experts, building a powerful case on your behalf.
- Strength in Negotiations: We have litigated thousands of cases against powerful insurance companies and know their tactics. This experience gives us a distinct advantage in negotiations aimed at getting the maximum value for your claim.
- You Pay Nothing Unless We Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe nothing upfront. Our firm is paid a percentage of the compensation we secure for you. With a 99% success rate, we are confident in our ability to deliver, but if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Our Commitment and Recognition
Our firm is proud to be ranked in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list. Additionally, our founder, Ryan D. Harris, was named to the Best Lawyers in America® 2025 list for Personal Injury Litigation—Plaintiffs.
What Compensation Is Available After a Bicycle Accident?
The purpose of financial compensation is to help restore the losses you suffered because of the accident. California law recognizes different categories of damages that you can pursue.
Economic Damages: The Measurable Financial Losses
These are the losses that come with a clear price tag—anything you have a bill for or can calculate directly. This category includes:
- Medical Expenses: Every cost from the ambulance ride, hospital stay, doctor appointments, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and any future medical treatments you will need.
- Lost Wages: The income you could not earn because you were unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries permanently affect your ability to do your job or earn a living, you may be compensated for this long-term financial impact.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your bicycle, helmet, phone, or any other personal items destroyed in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages: The Personal Toll of the Accident
Some losses don't have a direct dollar value but deeply affect your quality of life. These damages acknowledge the human cost of the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort your injuries have caused.
- Emotional Distress: This accounts for conditions like anxiety, fear, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that develop as a result of the trauma.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries stop you from taking part in hobbies, sports, or other activities that once brought you joy.
Are Punitive Damages Ever Awarded?
In some situations, a court might award punitive damages. These are not designed to compensate you for a specific loss. Instead, their purpose is to punish the at-fault party for extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct and to discourage others from engaging in similar behavior.
How Does California’s “Comparative Fault” Rule Affect Your Claim?
California operates under a legal principle known as "pure comparative negligence." Think of it as assigning a percentage of fault to everyone involved in the accident. Your final compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations, looking for any evidence to argue you were at fault. Our job is to keep them accountable and ensure no blame is unfairly shifted to you.
What Is the Deadline to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in California?
In California, the law sets a strict time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. For most bicycle accident cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a formal lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose the right to seek compensation permanently.
It's important to understand that this two-year clock isn't always straightforward. Certain situations might change the timeline. For instance, if the injured person was a minor at the time of the accident, the deadline might be extended.
The Critical Exception: Claims Against Government Entities
A much shorter deadline applies if your accident was caused by a hazard on public property, like a poorly maintained road or a broken traffic signal. When pursuing a claim against a government entity, you must file a formal administrative claim within just six months of the injury.
The government agency then has 45 days to respond. If they deny your claim, you have another six months from the date of the denial to file a lawsuit. If they don't respond at all, the standard two-year deadline from the date of injury typically applies.
Common Causes and Injuries in California Bicycle Accidents
While every accident has its own story, certain patterns emerge in how these collisions occur and the types of injuries cyclists sustain.
What Are the Most Frequent Causes of Bicycle Collisions?
Many bicycle accidents are caused by drivers who are not paying attention or fail to respect a cyclist’s right to share the road. Some of the most common causes include:
- Drivers Failing to Yield: This frequently occurs at intersections when a driver turns left or right directly into a cyclist's path. California law is clear: cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as vehicle drivers.
- "Dooring" Accidents: A driver or passenger opens their car door into an approaching cyclist. Vehicle Code section 22517 specifically forbids opening a car door into moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: A driver who merges or changes lanes without checking their blind spots can easily sideswipe a cyclist.
- Distracted Driving: Motorists who are texting, adjusting the radio, or are otherwise not focused on the road are a threat to everyone, especially vulnerable cyclists.
- Poorly Maintained Roads: Potholes, debris, or significant cracks in the pavement can create treacherous conditions. Under California Government Code section 835, a public entity might be responsible if it knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition and failed to address it.
What Types of Injuries Do Cyclists Typically Suffer?
Even when wearing a helmet, a cyclist is exposed to severe harm in a collision with a car or truck. We handle cases involving a wide spectrum of injuries, such as:
- Head Injuries: These can range from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which happen when a sudden, external force damages the brain.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis and lifelong disability.
- Fractures: Broken bones are common when a cyclist is thrown from their bike, with fractures to the arms, legs, collarbone, and ribs being frequent.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: This category includes everything from deep abrasions, known as road rash, which can lead to infections and scarring, to tears in muscles and ligaments.
- Internal Injuries: The blunt force from an impact can cause damage to internal organs that may not be obvious without a thorough medical examination.
Where Do California Bicycle Accidents Happen Most Often?
The mix of cars, cyclists, and pedestrians in busy cities naturally creates more chances for collisions.
Counties with the Highest Number of Accidents
Data from the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) shows that the counties with the highest number of bicycle accidents are also the most populated. During a recent 5-year period, the counties with the highest yearly average of bicycle accidents were:
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- San Diego County
- Santa Clara County
- Alameda County
These regions feature dense urban centers, large numbers of commuters, and active recreational cycling communities. According to a recent report on traffic safety, there were 177 bicyclist fatalities in California in one recent year. That same report highlighted Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside as the counties with the most bicycle-related deaths.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Certain roadways are well-known "hot spots" for accidents. These locations usually have a combination of high vehicle speeds, complex turn lanes, a lack of protected bike infrastructure, and heavy traffic.
For example, busy thoroughfares in Los Angeles like Imperial Highway, corridors in Sacramento such as Marysville Boulevard and Florin Road, and intersections along the Pacific Coast Highway have all been noted for high collision rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Bicycle Accidents
Do I have a case if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes, you can still have a valid claim. In California, only cyclists under the age of 18 are required by law to wear a helmet. However, the insurance company for the at-fault party may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your head injuries.
This is where the comparative fault rule comes into play. They will try to assign a percentage of blame to you to reduce the amount they have to pay. We would counter by arguing that the driver’s negligence caused the accident in the first place.
What happens if the driver who hit me was uninsured or underinsured?
This is a challenging but common situation. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough to cover your damages, you may be able to turn to your own auto insurance policy for help. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is designed for this exact scenario.
California law requires insurance companies to offer this coverage, and unless you rejected it in writing, it is likely part of your policy. It can cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages up to your policy limits.
What if the accident was a hit-and-run?
A hit-and-run accident is treated similarly to one involving an uninsured motorist. Since the at-fault driver cannot be identified, you can file a claim under your own UM/UIM policy to cover your injuries and related losses. It is very important to report the hit-and-run to the police as soon as possible, as a police report is usually required to make a successful UM claim.
We’re Ready to Help You Move Forward
You might be worried that it will be too expensive, too time-consuming, or just too combative. That’s a normal fear, but it’s not the reality of how we work.
Our goal is to take the pressure off you, not add to it. We handle the paperwork, the deadlines, and the negotiations so you don’t have to. We are here to guide that process calmly and competently, keeping you informed every step of the way.
You don't have to figure this out alone. A phone call to us costs nothing and comes with no obligation. Let us answer your questions and give you a clear sense of your options. Call Harris Personal Injury Lawyers today at (619) 864-7101 to get the guidance you need.