Bicycle accident in Los Angeles?Talk to a lawyer for free.

Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). If a City, County, Metro or Caltrans vehicle, or a hazard in a street, bike lane or path, was involved, a written claim is usually due within six months, and if it's rejected, a lawsuit usually has to follow within six months of the notice. Call us early so no deadline slips by.

If anyone is injured, call 911 so police come out and write a report. Get the driver's name, phone number, plate and insurance, and witnesses' names and numbers. Photograph the scene, the car, your bike and your injuries, and keep the bike, helmet and clothes as they are: the damage can show how the crash happened. It's worth seeing a doctor even if you feel fine, and talking to us before you talk to the driver's insurer.

A driver may enter a bike lane only to park where parking is allowed, to enter or leave the road, or to prepare for a turn within 200 feet of the intersection. No one may open a car door on the traffic side until it's reasonably safe. And since 2024, a rider facing a "WALK" signal may go that way, yielding to vehicles and people already in the intersection, unless a bike signal says otherwise. Write down what the driver did while you remember it, and photograph the car, its plate and where it ended up.

It depends on where you were. The City of Los Angeles doesn't ban it: its code requires riders on the sidewalk to show due regard for people walking, and bikes aren't allowed on Ocean Front Walk in Venice. In unincorporated LA County, a 2023 County ordinance allows it except where a sign says no, and requires riders to yield to people walking, and to all traffic when they leave the sidewalk. Other cities in the county set their own rules. Riding on the sidewalk or against traffic can come up in a claim, but it doesn't by itself end one: under California's pure comparative fault rule, a share of the blame reduces an award instead of erasing it, and the driver's mistakes still count.

Anyone under 18 riding a bike, a non-motorized scooter or a skateboard must wear a fitted, fastened helmet (Vehicle Code §21212). Adults don't have to on ordinary bikes or Class 1 and 2 e-bikes; on a Class 3 e-bike everyone does, and no one under 16 may ride one (§21213). Not wearing a helmet doesn't keep you from making a claim. If the other side argues a helmet would have lessened your injuries, California's comparative fault rule reduces an award instead of erasing it.

Mostly. In California, an e-bike has pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts, in three classes: Class 1 helps only while you pedal and Class 2 has a throttle, both up to 20 mph; Class 3 helps only while you pedal, up to 28 mph. One built or modified to go faster on motor power alone isn't an e-bike under the law, which can change the rules. E-bike riders don't need insurance, a license or registration, and since 2026 every e-bike needs a red rear reflector or light at all hours. One Los Angeles difference: the City's anti-harassment ordinance defines a bicycle as one moved only by human power, so whether it covers someone on an e-bike is a question for a lawyer.

Metro is a public agency, so a written claim comes first: on Metro's own form, in English or Spanish, by mail or in person, usually within six months. On board, California holds transit carriers to the "utmost care and diligence" for their passengers' safety. Under Metro's bike rules, every bus has a rack on the front for two or more bikes, which can't take motorized bikes or any bike over 55 pounds; on trains, riders stand with their bikes in the marked open areas, and e-bikes the size of a regular bike are allowed.

Yes. Our office is in Woodland Hills, inside Los Angeles city limits, at 22440 Clarendon St, Suite 200, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, and our Palmdale office serves the Antelope Valley. Come in if you like, or we'll come to you. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.

Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.