Bicycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles | Bike Crash Claims

If you need a bike accident lawyer in Los Angeles, Mesriani Law Group is here to help. Cyclists face serious dangers every day on Los Angeles roads — from distracted drivers and dooring incidents to dangerous road conditions and defective equipment. When a bicycle accident happens, the injuries are often severe, and the legal process can be complex.

At Mesriani Law Group, our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured cyclists throughout California. We handle every type of bike crash claim and represent you on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

Why You Need a Bike Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has one of the largest cyclist populations in California, but also one of the highest rates of bicycle accidents. The city’s mix of heavy traffic, shared lane markings, inadequate bike infrastructure, and distracted drivers creates constant hazards for cyclists.

Bicycle accident claims are more complicated than they appear for several reasons:

• Insurance companies frequently attempt to blame the cyclist, arguing contributory negligence to reduce or eliminate payouts
• Determining liability often requires reconstruction of the accident scene, review of traffic camera footage, and expert testimony
• Injuries from bicycle accidents are frequently catastrophic — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and road rash requiring skin grafts — which means the true value of a claim extends far beyond initial medical bills
• If a government entity is responsible for dangerous road conditions, special filing deadlines and procedures apply

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles knows how to navigate all of these challenges and ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Our attorneys investigate every aspect of a crash to identify every liable party. For background on why these crashes happen, see our overview of reasons why bicycle accidents occur in California. The most common causes we handle include:

• Dooring: A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a cyclist without checking for oncoming bike traffic. This is one of the most common urban cycling hazards in Los Angeles.
• Distracted driving: Drivers texting, using apps, or otherwise not watching the road are a leading cause of bicycle accidents throughout LA.
• Failure to yield: Drivers failing to yield at intersections, crosswalks, or when turning right account for a significant portion of serious cyclist injuries.
• Driving in bike lanes: California law prohibits motor vehicles from driving in designated bike lanes except when making turns. Violations frequently result in serious crashes.
• The Three Feet for Safety Act violations: California Vehicle Code § 21760 requires drivers to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Failing to do so is a common cause of sideswipe accidents.
• Dangerous road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, missing manhole covers, debris, and poor lighting can cause cyclists to lose control. If a government agency failed to maintain safe road conditions, a separate claim may apply.
• Defective bicycle equipment: Brake failures, fork defects, or helmet failures caused by a manufacturing or design flaw may give rise to a products liability claim against the manufacturer.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and dramatically increases the severity of injuries when a collision with a cyclist occurs.

For a deeper look at the most common crash types, see our guide to common types of bicycle accidents and injuries in Los Angeles.

Common Injuries in Los Angeles Bicycle Accidents

Because cyclists have minimal physical protection compared to drivers, bicycle accidents frequently result in severe and life-altering injuries. Victims we represent have suffered:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — even with a helmet, high-impact collisions can cause concussions, hemorrhage, and long-term cognitive damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones including clavicle, wrist, arm, and leg fractures
• Road rash — deep abrasions that may require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Knee and joint injuries requiring surgery
• Facial injuries and dental damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological trauma
• Wrongful death

California Bicycle Laws Every Cyclist Should Know

Understanding your rights under California law is essential to building a strong bicycle accident claim:

• Three Feet for Safety Act (Vehicle Code § 21760): Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. Violation of this law is direct evidence of negligence.
• Bicycle lane rights (Vehicle Code § 21209): Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in a bike lane except to make turns or enter/exit a parking space. Cyclists also have the right to use a full traffic lane when no bike lane is available or when it is unsafe to use the lane.
• Helmet requirement: California law requires cyclists under 18 to wear a helmet. Adults are not legally required to wear one, though not wearing a helmet may be raised by insurers in head injury claims. This does not prevent you from filing a claim.
• Dooring liability (Vehicle Code § 22517): It is illegal to open a vehicle door into the path of traffic, including cyclists. The driver or passenger who doors a cyclist is liable for resulting injuries.
• DUI cycling: Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in California, which may affect comparative fault calculations if applicable to your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bicycle Accident?

One of the most important steps in any bicycle accident claim is identifying every party responsible. Depending on the cause of the crash, liable parties may include:

• The at-fault driver — personally and through their auto insurance policy
• The driver’s employer — if the driver was operating a company vehicle or acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash
• A government agency — if dangerous road conditions such as potholes, missing signs, or inadequate bike lane markings contributed to the accident. Claims against government entities require filing a government tort claim within six months.
• A bicycle or equipment manufacturer — if a defective component such as a brake system, fork, or helmet contributed to the crash or worsened your injuries
• A property owner — if the accident occurred on private property due to a hazardous condition the owner knew about or should have known about

California follows a pure comparative negligence standard — meaning even if you are found partially at fault, you can still recover compensation reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers frequently try to inflate cyclist fault percentages to reduce payouts. A skilled bike accident lawyer in Los Angeles will fight back against unfair fault assignments.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident?

The full value of a bicycle accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the long-term consequences of the crash. Recoverable damages include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, specialist care, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment
• Future medical care: Long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, and any care needed as a result of permanent injuries
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and, in cases of permanent disability, reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Bicycle and property damage: Repair or replacement of your bicycle, helmet, clothing, and any other personal property damaged in the crash
• Scarring and disfigurement: Additional damages for permanent road rash scarring or other visible injuries
• Wrongful death damages: If a loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, surviving family members may recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship

Bicycle Accident Filing Deadlines in California

Acting quickly is critical. Missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim:

• Claims against private parties: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1
• Claims against government entities: A government tort claim must be filed within six months of the accident — this applies when dangerous public road conditions, a city vehicle, or a government employee contributed to the crash
• Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death
• Minors: The statute of limitations is tolled until the minor turns 18, but exceptions apply — consult an attorney as soon as possible

Important: Evidence disappears quickly after a bicycle accident — traffic camera footage is often overwritten within days, skid marks fade, and witnesses become harder to locate. Contact a bike accident lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible — the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles

The steps you take immediately after a crash can significantly impact your ability to recover full compensation:

1. Call 911 — report the accident and request police and medical assistance. An official police report is critical evidence for your claim.
2. Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine. Concussions, internal injuries, and spinal damage may not present symptoms for hours or days. A medical record establishes your injury timeline.
3. Document the scene — photograph the crash location, your injuries, the vehicle involved, license plates, road conditions, and any skid marks before they disappear.
4. Get the driver’s information — name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance information.
5. Collect witness information — names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash.
6. Do not admit fault or apologize — anything you say at the scene can be used against your claim.
7. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
8. Contact Mesriani Law Group — our bike accident lawyers in Los Angeles can begin preserving evidence, investigating the crash, and protecting your rights from day one.

Why Choose Mesriani as Your Bike Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?

Not all personal injury attorneys have the depth of experience needed to handle serious bicycle accident claims. At Mesriani Law Group we bring:

• Over 30 years representing personal injury victims throughout Los Angeles and California
• Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for clients
• Deep experience with insurer tactics designed to undervalue cyclist claims
• Resources to conduct thorough accident reconstruction and retain expert witnesses
• No Win, No Fee — you pay nothing unless we win your case
• Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Farsi