If you were hit by a car while riding a bicycle in California, you likely have a strong personal injury case — especially since California law treats cyclists as having many of the same rights as motor vehicles on the road. Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, and the legal system allows you to pursue full compensation if a driver was at fault.
Here’s what you need to know about bike-versus-car accidents in California personal injury law:
🚴♂️🚗 Who’s at Fault in a Bicycle Accident?
California law gives bicyclists the right to share the road, and drivers are expected to exercise caution when around them. Liability depends on:
- Who had the right of way
- Whether the driver violated any traffic laws
- Whether the cyclist was riding legally and safely
California Vehicle Code § 21200: Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when on the road.
Common ways drivers are at fault:
- Failing to yield at intersections
- Turning into or in front of a cyclist
- Opening car doors into cyclists (dooring)
- Speeding or distracted driving
- Driving in a bike lane
However, cyclists can also share fault (e.g., running a red light, biking the wrong way), and California’s comparative negligence law still allows recovery — reduced by your share of fault.
⚖️ What You Can Sue For
In a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, medication, etc.)
- Lost wages and future income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or PTSD
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Bicycle repair/replacement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (if the driver was drunk or egregiously reckless)
📁 Key Evidence in a Bicycle Accident Case
- Police report (request it from the local agency)
- Witness statements
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage
- Helmet cam or GoPro footage (if available)
- Photos of your injuries, bike damage, and accident scene
- Medical records
- Damage assessment of the bike
- Driver’s phone records (to prove distraction)
🚑 Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
- Head and brain injuries (even with a helmet)
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Facial trauma
- Long-term disability or chronic pain
These injuries often involve significant recovery time and ongoing care, which should be factored into your claim.
👨⚖️ Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Almost definitely — especially if:
- You were seriously injured
- The driver or insurance company is disputing fault
- You’re unsure how to value your damages
- The crash involved a commercial vehicle or government entity
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].