Orange County Personal Injury Attorneys
Your Bicycle
Accident Law
Firm
In addition to colliding with motorists, cyclists face other risks on the road, including bike lanes undergoing construction, roadway debris, and car doors suddenly opening into their path.
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Orange County Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Get Legal Help After Suffering Injuries Because of a Driver
As a bicyclist, you were getting your exercise and doing your part to help the environment when the unexpected happened. Now, you’re hurt and don’t know what to do. Leslie Law Firm may be able to help. When you call our Newport Beach office, we’ll get you set up with a free consultation. If you’re too hurt to visit us, we can come to your bedside. If we can pursue compensation for you, we will do so at no upfront cost. Since 1974, we have been helping Orange County residents and visitors recover after a serious accident. Call our Orange County personal injury attorneys today at (949) 752-7474 and see if we can do the same for you.
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ have been around for more than a century and are considered the gold standard in attorney ratings.
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How Were You Injured?
Given the lack of a vehicle occupant cage, bicyclists have nothing but a helmet protecting them from other motorists on the road, increasing their likelihood of suffering a serious injury in a collision. Orange County has seen a decided increase in the number of fatal and injury accidents involving bicyclists, even though the county has over 1,000 miles of dedicated bike trails. Injuries we often see include:
Internal bleeding
The more severe the trauma, the greater the expenses associated with your recovery, including medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. When our personal injury lawyers take your case, the only thing we want you to worry about is healing. We will answer all your questions, and can refer you to medical specialists to meet your needs.
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With over $500 Million in damages recovered for our clients, Leslie Law Firm has many years of experience, knowledge, and drive to fight for fair and proper compensation on your behalf.
We do not accept payment unless we win, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
Who Is At Fault?
Failed to obey traffic laws
Internal bleeding
Moved into an intersection unlawfully
Backed out of a driveway or parking space without looking
Didn’t check blind spots before merging or turning
Was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Was making aggressive maneuvers or speeding
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Our firm takes cases on a contingency fee and that means we only get paid at the end of your case when it is settled. We also advance all costs necessary to prepare your case. If we don’t recover for you, you pay no fees.
Need To Know Biking Laws In California
Part of the claim process involves figuring out who was at fault for the accident. California has a comparative negligence law, meaning that so long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident you can claim damages. But if you are more than half responsible, you will not receive compensation. In order to protect yourself from being accused of being at fault, it is important to know California laws around biking.
Always ride with traffic. Bikes are supposed to go in the same direction as cars on the road normally would. The exceptions to this are when riding down a one-way street, taking a left turn, when roadways are too narrow, or when the right side of the road is sectioned off for construction.
Be sure to use the bike lane. Many roads in California include a bike lane. When one is present it must be used unless you are making a left turn, or the bike lane is too hazardous to travel on safely.
You may “take the lane”, as in drive in the middle of it as a car would, if you are moving slower than traffic and the lane is too narrow to share with a vehicle safely. This is an important law to know, because many drivers, and sometimes even police officers, don’t understand your right to take the lane and may assign you fault where there is none.
You are not allowed to ride your bike on a freeway or highway. They are deemed to be too fast and too dangerous for conventional bikes.
Hitching a ride with a car – meaning you grab on to the back of a car as it moves – is never permitted.
Whether you are allowed to ride your bike on the sidewalk or not is determined by your county or your city. The state of California has no specific laws around riding bikes on sidewalks.
Most drivers assume they know the rules of the road and how to behave around bike riders, but that isn’t always the case. Biking laws can vary a great amount state by state or even county by county. Be sure you know the rules and regulations in your area in order to keep yourself safe physically and legally.
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Bicycle Accidents in Orange County
Bicycle accident statistics can be hard to track and evaluate considering most cyclists don’t report accidents. According to the California Department of Public Health, there are thousands of bicycle accidents and approximately 100 fatalities that occur annually. As terrifying as that statistic may seem, more recent reports place that figure to be closer to triple that number.
What is Your Bicycle Accident Claim Worth in Orange County?
The value of your bicycle accident claim is the overall damages you suffered during the accident. Your damages may involve medical expenses, lost wages and compensation for your emotional and physical suffering.
Some of the damages included in a bicycle accident claim in Orange County may include:
Physical pain
Scarring or permanent disability
Emotional distress
Lost earnings or loss of work
Follow-up medical care
Prescription medications
Ambulance transport bills
Hospital bills
Medical treatment expenses
Property damage to your bicycle, helmet and riding gear
Are Helmets Required for Bicycle Riders in California?
Helmets are required to be worn by riders under 18 years old. While riders 18 years old and older are not required to wear helmets, it is strongly recommended that all bicycle riders wear helmets to reduce the severity of injuries when involved in an accident.
Is It Illegal to Ride a Bicycle on the Sidewalk in California?
If a California road provides a bicycle lane, then bicyclists should use that bike lane instead of the roadway. There is one exception—if the bike lane is unsafe due to roadway obstacles or construction. Bicyclists should always ride as far to right as possible but they do have all of the same rights on the roadway as motor vehicles. This includes obeying all the laws that motor vehicles are subject to including stopping at stop signs and obeying traffic signals. Most cities in California have banned the riding of a bicycle on the sidewalk. On all surfaces, it is important that bicycle riders ride with the flow of traffic, not against it. If a bicyclist is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle and the bicyclist was riding the wrong way in traffic, that bicyclist may be found to be partially if not at fault for the accident.
Bicycle injuries can be traumatic and extensive because the rider has little protection in a collision. Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended to minimize head injuries. Medical expenses for neck, head, spine and joint injuries can be high, and the consequences of those injuries can be life-changing, and potentially life-ending.
Would you like an evaluation of your bicycle accident claim? Our experienced, reputable, and trusted Orange County bicycle accident attorneys can help. Allow our team to assess your claim and provide you with a fair and unbiased idea of the value of your accident claim. For over four decades, we have helped hundreds of bicycle accident victims get the compensation they deserve due to injuries suffered as a result of the negligence of others.
Have Questions? We Have Answers.
Bicycle Accident FAQs
After a bicycle accident in Orange County, you deserve clear answers — not legal jargon. Below are the questions our Newport Beach bicycle accident attorneys hear most. If you don’t see yours, contact us for a free consultation.
What should I do after a bicycle accident in Orange County?
Wait for the police and make sure an accident report is filed — even if your injuries seem minor. Get medical attention right away, since adrenaline can mask serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding. Exchange names, contact details, and insurance information with the driver, collect witness contact info, and use your phone to photograph the scene, your bike, and your injuries. Don’t negotiate with the driver or give a recorded statement to any insurer, and preserve your damaged helmet, bike, and clothing as evidence. Then call an Orange County bicycle accident attorney.
Who is at fault in a bicycle accident?
Most bike-versus-car collisions are caused by driver negligence — failing to yield, running a stop sign, opening a car door into a cyclist’s path (“dooring”), or not checking blind spots before turning. But fault isn’t always limited to the driver. A city that failed to maintain a roadway or bike lane, or the manufacturer of a defective bike part, may also share responsibility. We investigate every accident to identify all liable parties and every insurance policy that may apply.
Do I have to wear a helmet in California, and does it affect my claim?
California law requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet. Adults are not legally required to, though it is strongly recommended. Importantly, not wearing a helmet does not bar you from recovering compensation — but the insurance company may argue it contributed to your head injuries to reduce your payout. We push back on these arguments and fight for the full value of your claim.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover even if you were partially to blame — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 10% at fault and awards $200,000, you would still take home $180,000. Even if you think you may share some blame, it is worth having an attorney review your case before you assume you cannot recover.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?
You may still have a path to compensation. If you or a household family member carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on an auto policy, it can often apply even though you were on a bicycle rather than in a car. Hit-and-run and uninsured-driver crashes are common in bicycle accidents, and we will explore every available source of coverage to pursue what you are owed.
How much is my bicycle accident claim worth in California?
Every case is different. The value depends on your medical expenses and future care, lost wages, the severity and permanence of your injuries, and the pain, suffering, and emotional distress you experienced — plus property damage to your bike, helmet, and gear. Serious injuries such as fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injury carry significantly higher value. During a free case review, we will give you an honest evaluation of what your claim may be worth.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in California?
In most cases you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations. If a government entity is involved — such as a poorly maintained road or bike lane — you may have as little as six months to file a formal claim. Because evidence and witness memories fade quickly, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Is it illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in California?
There is no statewide ban — whether sidewalk riding is allowed depends on your city or county, and many California cities prohibit it. On the road, cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers: ride with traffic (never against it), use the bike lane when one is provided, and you are allowed to “take the lane” when it is too narrow to share safely. Riding the wrong way or breaking these rules can be used to assign you partial fault, which is one more reason to have an attorney protect your rights.
Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident, and what does it cost?
Insurance companies often try to blame the cyclist to avoid paying, so having an experienced attorney can make a major difference in your recovery. Leslie Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are zero upfront costs, your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. We also advance all the costs of building your case.
Why choose Leslie Law Firm for your Orange County bicycle accident?
For over 40 years, Leslie Law Firm has helped injured cyclists across Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, and all of Orange County — including a $1,150,000 policy-limits settlement for a cyclist struck by a truck. We know California’s bicycle laws, we connect our clients with top medical specialists, and we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. We are fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi, and there is no fee unless we win. Call (949) 752-7474 for a free consultation.
Still have questions? Your initial consultation is always free.
Free Case ReviewCommon Bicycle Accidents and What to do After Getting into a Bicycle Accident in Orange County
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle accidents account for 2% of all traffic-related deaths. As a bicycle accident law firm in Orange County, we know how serious an injury can be when riding a bicycle and experiencing a collision. It is important to be aware of the following common causes of injuries to cyclists when riding.
Here are the common causes of injury to cyclists:
Collision/crashed with a fixed object
Rider error
Roadway not in good repair
Hit by a car
Below are common behavioral factors of people involved in bicycle accidents:
The passenger or driver opened the car door into the oncoming cyclist
Cyclists failed to stop for a stop sign or ran a red light
The driver was unable to see the cyclist
Common injuries caused by a bicycle accident include broken bones, soft tissue injury, spinal cord damage, road rash, internal bleeding, and ruptured organs.
Safety is critical when riding a bicycle. However, no matter how careful you are, the chances of an accident are very high. The following steps are what you should do after getting into a bicycle accident:
Even if you are not injured or the injury is minor, wait for the police to arrive.
Do not negotiate with the motorist even if they apologize and accept the blame.
Exchange essential information with the driver, including name, contact number, address, driver’s license number, make of the car, license plate, and insurance policy number.
Collect the names and contact details of the witnesses.
Remember all details about the accident including the traffic and road conditions.
Take photos of the accident scene
Ensure the police take your accident report.
Consult a doctor as soon as possible and document your injuries.
Preserve any damaged clothing or damaged bike parts.
Do not negotiate directly with your insurance company.
Seek advice from a bicycle accident attorney Orange County.
If You Have Questions, Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out
Contact the police as soon as possible
Obtain medical treatment immediately
Obtain the driver’s name, telephone number, address, vehicle information, and the name of his or her insurance company (if you were struck by an automobile driver)
Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses
Use your cell phone to take pictures of the scene, damage to your bike, and of your injuries
If you’re missing one of these elements, or if you’re afraid you’re partially at fault for the accident, don’t worry.
Leslie Law Firm has won hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients over the past 40 years. We understand what to do because we’ve handled hundreds of bicycle accidents in Orange County. California has a doctrine called “comparative fault” wherein your amount of fault will diminish your verdict, proportionally. If the jury thinks you were 10% at fault after awarding you $200,000, you would take home $180,000. We always examine a claim for its strengths and weaknesses, and figure out how to get the optimal results. For a contact –free consultation, please call (949) 752-7474 today.