If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in California or Nevada, you may be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and everything the crash has cost you. Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers under the law, but insurance companies often try to blame the rider anyway. Mendez & Sanchez APC has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients, and we know how to fight for cyclists. Consultations are free, in English and Spanish, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Bicycle Accident Cases Are Different
A bicycle offers no structural protection. No metal frame, no airbags, no seatbelt. When a driver passes too closely, opens a car door into a bike lane, or turns without checking for a cyclist, the person on the bike almost always suffers the worst injuries. Common bicycle accident injuries include road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Insurance adjusters sometimes argue the cyclist was in the way or not following the rules of the road, even though cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers under the California Vehicle Code. An experienced bicycle accident attorney knows these tactics and counters them with evidence.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
- Drivers passing too closely instead of allowing safe clearance
- Dooring: a parked car occupant opens their door into a passing cyclist
- Drivers turning right across a bike lane without checking for cyclists
- Distracted driving, including phone use behind the wheel
- Drivers who run red lights or stop signs at intersections
- Hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene
California's Three-Foot Law
California Vehicle Code section 21760 requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, or to slow to a safe speed if three feet is not possible. A driver who passes too closely and causes a crash is typically at fault. Nevada law also requires drivers to pass cyclists at a safe distance.
Cyclists also have the same rights and duties as drivers under California Vehicle Code sections 21200 through 21212, and California only requires a helmet for riders under 18. Not wearing a helmet as an adult does not bar you from recovering compensation.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask injuries. Internal injuries and concussions may not show symptoms for hours.
- Call the police. Get a report number. The report is your official record of what happened.
- Photograph everything you can: the vehicle, your bicycle, your injuries, and the other driver's insurance card. If witnesses saw the crash, get their names and phone numbers.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. What you say early on can be used against you.
- Contact a bicycle accident lawyer. Evidence disappears quickly. A lawyer can act fast to preserve what matters.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Bicycle repair or replacement and damaged gear
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
