The short answer
Cyclists in California have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers (CVC § 21200). If a driver's negligence injures you, you can recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You generally have two years to file (CCP § 335.1). Preserve evidence and speak to a lawyer promptly.
Cycling in Los Angeles takes nerve. Bike lanes on streets like Spring, Figueroa, and Venice Boulevard often end without warning, delivery trucks park in them, and drivers pass far too close on streets with fast-moving traffic. Commuters, delivery riders, and weekend cyclists heading up to Griffith Park or along the Los Angeles River path all share the same risk: a single careless driver can cause life-changing injuries in an instant.
When a cyclist is hurt, the insurance response is often shaped by bias. Adjusters may assume the rider ran a light, was riding against traffic, or was not wearing a helmet, and they use those assumptions to justify low offers. Our founding attorney has fought insurers for injured Californians since 2002. We know how cyclist claims are discussed in claim reviews, and we build our cases to replace assumptions with evidence.
California law treats cyclists as road users with the same rights and duties as drivers in most situations, requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet when passing, and prohibits opening a car door into traffic unless it is safe. Violations of these rules can be strong evidence of negligence. When road defects or dangerous bike lane design contribute to a crash, a public entity may also be responsible, subject to a strict six-month claim deadline.
Your consultation is free, and you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. If you were hurt while riding in Los Angeles, reach out before you talk to the driver's insurer.
From the other side of the table
How the insurer's adjuster sees a bicycle claim
Presuming the cyclist broke the rules
Adjusters frequently assume the rider was at fault. We gather helmet camera footage, Strava or GPS data, video from nearby cameras, and witness accounts to show your position, speed, and compliance with traffic laws.
The helmet argument
California does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, but insurers may still argue that a lack of helmet made head injuries worse. We examine whether that argument has any basis for your specific injuries.
Dooring disputes
In dooring cases, the driver or passenger often claims the cyclist was riding too close to parked cars. California law places the duty on the person opening the door, and we build the evidence around that rule.
Undervaluing an active lifestyle
Many cyclists are active people whose injuries take away activities central to their lives. Insurers often ignore this. We document how your injuries changed your daily life, not just your medical bills.
Why it happens
Common causes
Unsafe passing
Drivers who pass too closely on streets like Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, and San Vicente can clip riders or force them into parked cars or the curb.
Dooring
Drivers and passengers opening doors without checking for cyclists cause serious crashes on streets with parallel parking next to bike lanes.
Right hooks
A driver who passes a cyclist and then turns right across the bike lane can strike the rider or cut them off with no time to stop.
Left turns across the cyclist's path
Drivers turning left often misjudge a cyclist's speed or fail to see the rider at all, especially at intersections without dedicated bike signals.
Vehicles blocking bike lanes
Delivery vans and rideshare vehicles stopped in bike lanes push cyclists into traffic lanes, where they may be struck by passing cars.
Road defects
Potholes, cracked pavement, storm drain grates, and debris can throw a cyclist to the ground, sometimes creating a claim against a public entity.
What we see
Injuries we handle
What you may recover
Compensation in a California claim
Medical costs
Emergency care, orthopedic treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and future care needs.
Lost income
Wages lost while recovering, including lost earnings for delivery riders and others who rely on cycling for work.
Pain and suffering
The physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of cycling and other activities that were part of your life.
Scarring and disfigurement
Compensation for permanent scars and changes in appearance, which are common after road rash and surgery.
Bike and gear replacement
The cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle, helmet, clothing, electronics, and other gear damaged in the crash.
The rules that apply
California law you should know
Three-foot passing rule
Drivers passing a cyclist traveling in the same direction must do so at a safe distance, and generally at least three feet. If three feet is not possible, the driver must slow down and pass only when it is safe.
Vehicle Code § 21760
Cyclists have the rights of drivers
A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has the rights, and is subject to the duties, that apply to drivers of vehicles, with limited exceptions.
Vehicle Code § 21200
Opening doors into traffic
No one may open a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and it can be done without interfering with traffic.
Vehicle Code § 22517
Government claim deadline
If a road defect or dangerous bike lane design contributed to the crash, a written claim against the responsible public entity generally must be presented within six months.
Government Code § 911.2
General information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of your case, so talk to an attorney promptly.
Right now
Protect your claim
Evidence to gather
- Your bicycle, unrepaired, and your helmet and gear
- Helmet or handlebar camera footage
- GPS or fitness app ride data showing speed and route
- Photos of the scene, road surface, bike lane markings, and vehicles
- The driver's name, plate, and insurance information
- Witness names and contact information
- The police report number
- Medical records and photos of injuries as they heal
Mistakes insurers count on
- Throwing away or repairing your damaged bike and helmet
- Deleting ride data or camera footage
- Apologizing at the scene or saying you did not see the car
- Missing the six-month deadline for claims involving road defects
- Accepting an early offer before understanding long-term effects of your injuries
Step by step
How we handle your case
- 1
Free consultation
We talk through how the crash happened, review your photos and ride data, and explain how the insurer is likely to respond.
- 2
Preserve the evidence
We secure your bike, helmet, and gear, and we collect ride data, camera footage, and witness information.
- 3
Investigate the road and the driver
We examine sight lines, bike lane design, signals, and road conditions, and evaluate whether a public entity may share responsibility.
- 4
Document your recovery
We gather medical records, photos of injuries, and information about the activities your injuries have taken from you.
- 5
Negotiate or file suit
We present a claim designed to overcome bias against cyclists and are prepared to pursue the case in court if necessary.
From the Case Vault
Related results
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
In most situations, yes. Under Vehicle Code § 21200, a cyclist on the roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, with limited exceptions. Drivers must share the road, pass at a safe distance, and yield when required. At the same time, cyclists must follow traffic laws, which insurers will scrutinize closely.
Vehicle Accidents