Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Cyclists are often blamed for crashes they didn't cause. We gather the evidence, deal with the driver's insurance, and help you understand your rights.
Free · Confidential · No Obligation(213) 474-7463- Hit by a car, truck, bus, or opening door
- Hit-and-run cyclist cases too
- Free case review in English or Spanish
✓ You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.*
A Name Los Angeles Knows
Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer: What You Need to Know
More Angelenos ride bikes than ever, to work, to school, and for exercise along routes like the LA River bike path, Venice Blvd, and Sunset Blvd. But many LA streets were built for cars first, and cyclists share lanes with fast-moving traffic, buses, delivery trucks, and parked cars. A driver who passes too close, turns without looking, or opens a door without checking can cause a crash that ends with a trip to the emergency room.
Insurance companies often try to blame the cyclist. The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani has represented injured Southern Californians since 1996. If you were hit by a car while riding a bicycle anywhere in Los Angeles, call now for a free case review. We'll explain your options and handle the insurance company for you.
Why Bicycle Accident Claims in Los Angeles Get Pushback
When a car hits a cyclist, insurers often start from the assumption that the rider did something wrong: rode too fast, ran a signal, or wasn't visible. Those arguments can drive down an offer even when the driver clearly caused the crash.
A bicycle accident lawyer answers them with evidence: helmet or handlebar camera footage, GPS and ride-tracking data, damage to the bike, the location of debris, lighting and visibility at the time, and witnesses. California's three-foot passing law and dooring law also put clear duties on drivers.
Cyclists also face coverage questions. Your own auto policy's uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments coverage may apply even though you were on a bike. Homeowner's or renter's policies rarely cover your injuries, but they may cover your bike. We review every policy.
Bicycle Crashes We Handle in Los Angeles
Whatever happened, a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney on our team can review it for free. We handle cases like these:
Dooring
A parked driver or passenger opens a door into your path.
Right hook crashes
A driver passes you and turns right across your path.
Left cross crashes
An oncoming driver turns left in front of you.
Unsafe passing
A driver passes closer than three feet and sideswipes you.
Rear-end crashes
A distracted driver hits you from behind.
Hit-and-run cyclist crashes
The driver leaves the scene.
Bus & truck crashes
Large vehicles turning or merging into bike lanes.
E-bike accidents
Riders on e-bikes hit by cars on streets and in bike lanes.
Hurt in a bicycle accident in Los Angeles?
The insurance company is already building its case. Start building yours with a free call.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
We help people with every kind of injury, from soft-tissue injuries to life-changing ones. Some of the most common:
Head & brain injuries
Even with a helmet, concussions are common.
Collarbone & wrist fractures
From being thrown forward over the handlebars.
Road rash
Abrasions that can need wound care and cause scarring.
Knee & leg injuries
From impact with a bumper or the pavement.
Spinal injuries
From being struck or thrown.
Dental & facial injuries
From hitting the car or the road.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles
The steps you take in the first few days can protect your health and your claim.
Get to safety and call 911
Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 to report injuries and get officers to the scene. Depending on location, responding agencies include: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD); California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in unincorporated areas and contract cities.
Get medical care right away
Go to the ER or urgent care even if you feel okay. Area hospitals include LAC+USC Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Adrenaline can hide injuries for hours or days.
Document everything
Take photos of every vehicle, plate, the scene, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. Get the other driver's license, insurance, and plate, plus witness names and phone numbers.
Don't give a recorded statement
Don't admit fault, and don't give the other side's insurance company a recorded statement before you talk to a bicycle accident lawyer.
Don't repair your bike yet
Photograph and keep your bike, helmet, and gear as they are. Save any ride data from your bike computer, phone, or camera.
Call a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer
Call (213) 474-7463 for a free bicycle accident case review. We'll handle the insurance company and help protect your deadlines.
After a Bicycle Accident, Insurers Move Fast. So Do We.
After a bicycle accident, the insurance company on the other side is a business. Its adjuster's job is to close your claim for as little as possible. Common tactics include:
Getting you to downplay your injuries
Adjusters ask how you're feeling in the first days after the crash, before the full extent of an injury is known, and use your answer later.
Recorded statements
A friendly-sounding call can be recorded and used to shift blame onto you. You are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
Quick, low settlement offers
An early check can look tempting, but once you sign a release, you usually can't reopen the claim if your injuries turn out to be worse.
Delays & blame-shifting
Slow responses, requests for endless records, and arguments that you were partly at fault are all designed to wear you down.
Who May Be Responsible
More than one party can share responsibility for a bicycle accident. We look at every source of insurance, which may include:
- The driver who hit you
- The passenger who opened a door
- The driver's employer, if they were working
- A public agency, for a dangerous road or bike lane condition
- Your own uninsured motorist coverage, if the driver was uninsured or fled
Evidence That Can Make or Break Your Case
Much of it disappears within days. The sooner you call, the more we can preserve.
- Photos of the scene, your bike, helmet, and injuries
- Your bike computer, Strava, or GPS data
- Helmet cam, dash cam, and doorbell footage
- Witness contact information
- The police report
- Medical records and bike repair or replacement estimates
California Bicycle Accident Laws You Should Know
Rules that shape bicycle accident claims in Los Angeles and across California.
Three Feet for Safety Act
California Vehicle Code §21760 requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet when passing, or slow down and pass only when safe.
Dooring is illegal
Vehicle Code §22517 prohibits opening a door into traffic unless it's reasonably safe to do so.
Helmets
California requires helmets for riders under 18. Adults aren't required to wear one, and not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim.
Two-year deadline
Most bicycle injury claims must be filed within two years. Claims against a city for a dangerous road condition require a written claim within six months.
Compensation After a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident
Every bicycle accident case is different. Depending on your injuries and the facts, a claim may include:
Medical bills
Ambulance, emergency room, hospital stays, surgery, imaging, and doctor visits.
Future medical care
Physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, and future procedures.
Lost wages
Income you lost while you were hurt, in treatment, or unable to work.
Reduced earning ability
Lost future income if your injuries limit the work you can do.
Pain & suffering
Physical pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life.
Emotional distress
Anxiety, sleep problems, and fear of driving after a crash.
Property damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle, bike, or belongings, plus rental costs while your vehicle is out of service.
Out-of-pocket costs
Prescriptions, medical equipment, travel to appointments, and household help.
We can't promise any result, and no one honestly can. After a free review of your facts, we'll explain what your claim may include.
How Our Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Here's what happens when you hire our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers, from your first call to the end of your case.
Call us 24/7
Call (213) 474-7463. A member of our intake team answers, listens to what happened in your bicycle accident, and gathers the basic facts in English or Spanish.
Free case review
We review your bicycle accident, explain your rights and deadlines, and answer your questions. There's no cost and no obligation.
We take over
We investigate the bicycle accident, deal with the insurance companies, gather the police report, photos, and medical records, and help you get the care you need.
We pursue your claim
We build your bicycle accident claim and negotiate with the insurers. If a fair resolution isn't offered, we're prepared to take your case to court in Los Angeles.
Why Choose Call Jacob as Your Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Choosing a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles is a big decision. Here's what you get when you call Jacob.
Since 1996
Nearly three decades helping people injured in bicycle accidents across Southern California.
556 five-star reviews
Real reviews from clients on Google and Yelp.
Available 24/7
Bicycle Accidents don't happen on a schedule. Our intake team answers day and night.
Hablamos Español
A Spanish-speaking team that can walk you through every step in your language.
No Upfront Fees
You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
We know Los Angeles
Local roads, police agencies, hospitals, and courts. We know how bicycle accidents in Los Angeles are investigated and handled.
What Our Clients Say
Reviews from real clients on Google and Yelp.
“After my auto accident, the law offices of Jacob [Emrani] made a stressful situation so much easier. They were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case.”Ari D.Google review
“I decided to call Jacob Emrani not knowing what to expect because I've never been in a car accident before. His staff was friendly, help me through the process…”Carlos Y.Google review
“After my car accident I turned to Jacob Emrani for my legal representation. I received the medical attention I needed right away.”Dale S.Google review
“Whenever I had questions they were right on it with a quick response! Thank you all! I will be referring you to family and friends…”Ashley B.Google review
“It was Sally who answered the phone and who walked me through starting the process… She was so kind and helpful. So far, I am glad I called the office of Jacob Emrani.”Cathy K.Google review
556 Five-Star Client Reviews on Google & Yelp
Hurt in a bicycle accident? Don't wait.
Evidence disappears and deadlines keep running. Call a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer now for a free, confidential case review.
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving All of Los Angeles
We help people hurt in bicycle accidents on the freeways, boulevards, and neighborhood streets throughout Los Angeles.
Neighborhoods & nearby cities
- Downtown LA
- Arts District
- Echo Park
- Silver Lake
- Los Feliz
- Venice
- Santa Monica
- Culver City
- Palms
- Mar Vista
- Highland Park
- Eagle Rock
- Koreatown
- Atwater Village
Freeways & highways
- LA River bike path
- Venice Blvd
- Sunset Blvd
- Spring & Main St (Downtown)
- Figueroa St
- Expo Line bike path
- Ballona Creek bike path
Busy corridors
- Wilshire Blvd
- Sunset Blvd
- Figueroa St
- Western Ave
- Vermont Ave
- Olympic Blvd
- Crenshaw Blvd
- La Brea Ave
Who takes the report
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in unincorporated areas and contract cities
Area hospitals
- LAC+USC Medical Center
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
- California Hospital Medical Center
Local court
- Los Angeles County Superior Court, where most civil injury cases are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown
Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask us most after a bicycle accident in Los Angeles. Don't see yours? Call (213) 474-7463.
I wasn't wearing a helmet. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. California does not require adults to wear a bicycle helmet. The insurance company may argue a helmet would have reduced a head injury, but that does not erase the driver's responsibility for causing the crash.
Does my car insurance cover me if I was on my bike?
It may. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage, can apply even when you were riding a bicycle. We review every policy that might help.
What if the police report blames me?
A police report is an officer's opinion based on limited information. It's not the final word. We can gather camera footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to show what really happened.
Do I need to have been in a bike lane to have a claim?
No. Cyclists generally have the right to use the road, and drivers must give them room and use care. Being outside a bike lane doesn't automatically make you at fault.
Can I recover the cost of my bike and gear?
Yes, property damage can include repair or replacement of your bike, helmet, clothing, and accessories, along with your injury claim.
I was riding an e-bike. Does that change my case?
E-bikes have their own classes and rules in California, but a driver who hits you can still be responsible. We look at your bike class and the facts of the crash.
The driver who doored me says I should have seen the door opening. Are they right?
California Vehicle Code §22517 says no one may open a door into traffic unless it's reasonably safe. The person who opened the door usually has the duty to look first.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles?
The first consultation is free. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee, which means you don't pay attorney fees upfront; our fee comes from a recovery in your case. Your written fee agreement explains the percentage and how case costs are handled before you sign anything.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in California?
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Property damage claims generally have three years. If a government vehicle, public transit, or a dangerous public road was involved, a written claim is usually due within six months. Some exceptions apply, so call us to confirm the deadline for your bicycle accident case.
What if I was partly at fault for the bicycle accident?
You may still recover. California uses pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Don't admit fault to anyone; let the evidence decide.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a bicycle accident?
You should report the crash to your own insurer as your policy requires, but you are not required to give the other side's insurer a recorded statement. Talk to a bicycle accident lawyer before you do.
I haven't seen a doctor since the bicycle accident. Is that a problem?
Get checked out as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions and soft-tissue injuries, don't show symptoms right away. A gap between the crash and your first treatment is something insurers often use to question your injuries. We can help you find care.
Will my bicycle accident case go to court?
Most bicycle accident claims resolve through negotiation without a trial. If the insurance company won't make a fair offer, filing a lawsuit may be the right move, and we're prepared to take your case to court.
Does your Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer team speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos español. Our Spanish-speaking team can handle your call and your bicycle accident case in Spanish from start to finish.
Talk to a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
One call is all it takes to get answers about your bicycle accident claim. Our intake team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish.
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