Keosian Law Practice Areas

Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Specialized representation for cyclists injured on California roads

Call Now: (866) 222-2020

Overview

At Keosian Law LLP, our bicycle accident attorneys are dedicated to representing cyclists who have been injured due to the negligence of others. We understand the unique vulnerabilities cyclists face on the road and the serious injuries that can result from bicycle accidents in Los Angeles and throughout California.

California has one of the highest rates of bicycle accidents in the nation, with Los Angeles County consistently ranking among the most dangerous areas for cyclists. Our experienced attorneys have a proven track record of securing fair compensation for injured cyclists, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

Whether you were struck by a vehicle on a busy Los Angeles boulevard, injured due to poorly maintained roads or bike lanes, or involved in a dooring incident or any other type of cycling accident, our legal team has the knowledge and resources to effectively advocate for your rights and interests against insurance companies and negligent parties.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

  • Traumatic brain injuries and concussions from impact with vehicles or pavement
  • Broken bones including collarbones, wrists, arms, and pelvis fractures
  • Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs from high-impact collisions
  • Road rash, lacerations, and deep abrasions requiring skin grafts
  • Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
  • Facial fractures, dental injuries, and jaw damage
  • Knee and shoulder injuries including torn ligaments and rotator cuff tears
  • Nerve damage and chronic pain conditions
  • Psychological trauma, PTSD, and cycling anxiety

Common Causes & Establishing Liability

Bicycle accidents occur throughout Los Angeles due to numerous hazardous conditions and negligent behaviors. Establishing liability requires proving another party failed to exercise reasonable care toward cyclists:

Distracted & Negligent Drivers

Drivers who text, use phones, or fail to check mirrors and blind spots before turning are responsible for the majority of bicycle accidents in Los Angeles. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21760, drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing—a law frequently violated on narrow streets.

Dooring Accidents

When a motorist opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, the results can be catastrophic. Under California Vehicle Code Section 22517, no person shall open a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so. These accidents are common in areas like Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and downtown Los Angeles.

Dangerous Road Conditions

Potholes, cracked pavement, debris in bike lanes, missing signage, and poorly designed intersections can cause serious cycling accidents. Government entities responsible for road maintenance may be liable, though these claims require filing within strict six-month deadlines under the California Government Claims Act.

Defective Bicycle Equipment

When a bicycle component fails—brakes, handlebars, forks, or frames—the manufacturer or retailer may be liable under California's strict product liability laws. Our attorneys work with bicycle engineering experts to investigate equipment failures.

Our attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists and cycling safety experts to establish the precise cause of your accident and identify all liable parties. Cases are filed in Los Angeles Superior Court where juries regularly award substantial verdicts for injured cyclists.

What Compensation Covers

Bicycle accident compensation must account for the full impact of your injuries. Because cyclists lack the protection of a vehicle, injuries are often severe and require extensive treatment. Available damages include:

  • Medical Expenses: Emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, orthopedic treatment, physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation for brain injuries, and all future medical care related to the accident.
  • Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery and any long-term reduction in your ability to earn income due to permanent injuries.
  • Bicycle & Equipment Replacement: The cost to repair or replace your bicycle, helmet, cycling gear, and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
  • Pain & Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety about cycling again, loss of enjoyment of life, and the overall impact on your daily activities.
  • Permanent Disfigurement: Road rash scarring, facial injuries, and other permanent marks that affect your appearance and self-confidence.
  • Loss of Consortium: Damages available to spouses and family members for the impact of your injuries on family relationships and quality of life.

California's pure comparative negligence system means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated. Our attorneys work to minimize any fault assigned to you.

The Legal Process for Bicycle Accident Claims

Bicycle accident cases require careful evidence preservation and strategic legal action. Here is how Keosian Law handles cycling injury claims:

  1. Free Case Evaluation: We assess the details of your accident, review police reports and medical records, and explain your legal options at no cost or obligation.
  2. Evidence Collection: We secure traffic camera footage, dashcam video, witness statements, road condition documentation, and bicycle damage evidence before critical evidence is lost.
  3. Accident Reconstruction: When necessary, we retain cycling accident reconstruction experts to analyze the collision dynamics and prove how the accident occurred.
  4. Medical Documentation: We coordinate with your medical team to ensure all injuries are fully documented, including delayed-onset conditions like soft tissue injuries and post-concussion syndrome.
  5. Insurance Negotiation: We present a comprehensive demand to the at-fault party's insurance company, backed by medical evidence, expert analysis, and documented damages.
  6. Litigation & Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file suit in Los Angeles Superior Court and advocate aggressively before a jury. Our trial experience gives us leverage throughout the negotiation process.

Why Choose Keosian Law for Bicycle Accident Cases

Bicycle accident victims need attorneys who understand the unique challenges cyclists face in Los Angeles. Here is why injured cyclists trust Keosian Law:

  • Cycling Accident Experience: We have successfully represented numerous cyclists injured throughout Los Angeles County, recovering substantial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • Knowledge of Cycling Laws: We understand California's bicycle-specific laws, including the three-foot passing rule, bike lane regulations, and cyclists' rights on the road—knowledge that strengthens your claim.
  • Expert Network: We work with accident reconstruction specialists, cycling safety experts, and medical professionals who specialize in the types of injuries cyclists commonly sustain.
  • No Fees or Costs Unless We Recover: No attorney fees or costs unless we recover for you.
  • Proven Negotiators & Trial Lawyers: Insurance companies know we prepare every case for trial, which results in better settlement offers and fairer outcomes for our cycling clients.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Keosian Law today for a free consultation. Early legal intervention is critical for preserving evidence and protecting your rights under California law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

After a bicycle accident, prioritize your safety and health first. Move to a safe location if possible, call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance, document the scene with photos, exchange information with all parties involved, gather witness contact information, and seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Do not admit fault or sign any documents from insurance companies before consulting an attorney.

Multiple parties may be liable for a bicycle accident, including:

  • Negligent motor vehicle drivers
  • Government entities responsible for road maintenance
  • Bicycle or component manufacturers (in defect cases)
  • Property owners with dangerous conditions
  • Other cyclists who acted negligently

Our attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability to maximize your compensation.

Bicycle accident victims may recover compensation for medical expenses (current and future), lost wages and earning capacity, bicycle repair or replacement costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and in fatal accidents, wrongful death damages for family members. The specific compensation depends on your injuries and circumstances.

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you're filing a claim against a government entity (for example, due to poor road conditions), you must file an administrative claim within six months. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to seek compensation.

If you're the victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident, you still have options. File a police report immediately, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply, we can investigate to identify the driver through witnesses, surveillance footage, and other evidence, and California's victim compensation programs may provide assistance. Our attorneys are experienced in pursuing claims even when the at-fault driver initially flees.

Yes, California has specific bicycle laws including: cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic, cyclists have the right to use full lanes when necessary for safety, drivers must maintain a safe distance (minimum 3 feet) when passing cyclists, cyclists must use lights and reflectors when riding at night, and helmets are required for riders under 18. Understanding these laws can be important for establishing liability in your case.
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"After our basement flooded, our insurance company offered only a fraction of what was needed. Keosian Law stepped in and negotiated a settlement that covered everything."

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Sherman Oaks, CA

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