Trusted bicycle accident attorneys with over 42 years of personal injury experience.

If you were hit by a car while riding a bike in the San Fernando Valley, then you are probably dealing with serious injuries, damage to your bicycle, and other losses. At Goldberg Injury Lawyers, we’ve represented injured cyclists throughout the Valley for decades.

Our San Fernando Valley, CA bike accident attorney understands the severity of these types of accidents. We are here to protect and advocate for you. Consultations are free, and we don’t charge fees unless we recover for you. Reach out now to reserve an appointment.

Bike Accident Attorney San Fernando Valley, CA

What does a bicycle accident attorney do? At its core, the job is to investigate what happened, identify who’s responsible, and build the strongest possible case for your recovery. That means gathering evidence, dealing with insurers, and, if necessary, taking the case to court.

Cyclists in the San Fernando Valley face real dangers every day, from distracted drivers on Ventura Boulevard to aggressive turns at busy intersections in Woodland Hills, Northridge, and Canoga Park. When a driver’s negligence puts a rider in the hospital, the law gives that rider the right to pursue compensation. Knowing how to navigate that process, and what mistakes to avoid, is where an attorney makes a difference.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in the San Fernando Valley

Bicycle accidents aren’t all the same, as the facts for speed, location, driver’s behavior, and your injuries, shape every aspect of the legal claim. We handle a wide range of cycling accidents, including:

  • Dooring accidents. A parked driver swings open a car door without checking for oncoming cyclists, and the impact can throw a rider into moving traffic. These cases often involve both the door’s driver and, in some situations, the vehicle’s owner.
  • Intersection collisions. Drivers making left turns across bike lanes, running red lights, or failing to yield are a leading cause of serious cyclist injuries in the Valley. We investigate traffic signals, witness accounts, and camera footage.
  • Hit and run accidents. A driver may hit a cyclist and flee. These cases require a different legal strategy, often involving uninsured motorist coverage, and our firm has deep experience pursuing recovery when the at-fault driver disappears. Your own auto policy may cover you even when you’re on a bike.
  • Distracted driving crashes. Texting, phone use, and in-vehicle distractions continue to injure cyclists across the Valley. We use phone records, dashcam footage, and witness statements to establish what the driver was doing at the moment of impact.
  • Motorcycle accidents. Collisions between cyclists and motorcyclists present complex liability questions, particularly around lane positioning and right-of-way.
  • Unsafe road conditions. Potholes, missing signage, faded bike lane markings, and defective traffic signals can make a public entity liable. These claims involve specific notice requirements and shorter deadlines than standard injury cases.
  • Uber accidents. Uber and rideshare drivers opening doors, making sudden turns, or blocking bike lanes cause more crashes than people expect. Uber accidents with cyclists often involve layered insurance issues.
  • Wrongful death. When a crash takes a life, surviving family members may have a claim for funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of companionship. These cases require careful investigation and strategy.

Why Choose Goldberg Injury Lawyers for Bicycle Accidents in the San Fernando Valley?

42 Years Focused on Serious Injury Cases

Barry P. Goldberg founded what is now Goldberg Injury Lawyers in 2005. He’s been practicing California personal injury law since 1984, which means he’s handled cyclist injury cases across the Valley long before most of the Valley’s current roads even existed. He is licensed in all California state courts, the U.S. Federal District Courts in California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Attorney Goldberg has tried numerous jury trials and handled hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. He was named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 Southern California list in 2021, his tenth consecutive year earning the Super Lawyers designation, and holds an AVVO “Superb” 10 rating.

As a personal injury lawyer in the San Fernando Valley, CA, Barry has built the firm’s reputation specifically within this region. He has served as President of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association and remains an active figure in its leadership. He’s also a member of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles and has volunteered as a mediator and CRASH settlement officer at Los Angeles Superior Court.

Results That Matter

Goldberg Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for clients with bicycle accident injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and other serious conditions. These are the kinds of injuries cyclists often sustain when struck by a moving vehicle. Our consultations are free and there are no obligations in learning more about your options and compensation eligibility.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Bicycle Accident Cases

When a cyclist is injured because of another person’s negligence, California law allows them to pursue two broad categories of damages, including economic and non-economic damages listed below:

  • Medical expenses, both past and future
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage to the bicycle and gear
  • Costs of rehabilitation, physical therapy, or home care
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of activities
  • Disfigurement or permanent physical limitations

California follows a pure comparative fault system, which means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the crash. If a driver was 90% at fault and you were 10%, you can still recover, just at the reduced amount. Helmets, lane positioning, and traffic law compliance all become relevant, which is why understanding how fault is assessed matters before you talk to an adjuster.

Important Aspects in Your Bicycle Accident Case

Several factors can shape how a bike accident claim develops, and some are easy to overlook in the days after a crash. We suggest taking these steps:

  • Medical treatment. Delays or gaps in treatment give insurers grounds to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
  • Evidence preservation. Photos, witness contact information, and bike damage should be documented immediately.
  • Recorded statements. Insurance adjusters tend to contact claimants early, but you are not required to give a recorded statement before speaking with us.
  • Helmet and equipment status. California requires helmets for riders under 18. For adults, failure to wear a helmet doesn’t bar a claim but can affect damages in some cases.
  • Hit-and-run coverage. Your own uninsured motorist policy may be your primary source of recovery when the at-fault driver flees.

Bicycle Accident Case Timeline

Most bicycle accident cases don’t resolve overnight, as there are steps that must be taken when handling your claim. But generally, the path tends to be as follows:

  • Initial consultation and investigation. We review the facts, gather available evidence, request police reports, and preserve witness statements.
  • Medical treatment period. We typically wait until a client reaches maximum medical improvement before finalizing a demand, so we know the full extent of the injuries.
  • Demand and negotiation. We send a formal demand to the at-fault insurer and negotiate toward a fair settlement.
  • Filing suit. If the insurer won’t negotiate in good faith, we file a lawsuit. This doesn’t always mean going to trial, most cases settle during litigation.
  • Trial or arbitration. For cases involving uninsured or underinsured motorists, the dispute typically goes to arbitration rather than a jury. Barry P. Goldberg has handled hundreds of arbitrations and is widely recognized in California as a leading voice on UM/UIM law.

What to Bring to Your Bicycle Accident Consultation

Come prepared with the information you have, but don’t worry if some of this isn’t available yet, that’s what our investigation is for.

  • The police report number or a copy of the traffic collision report
  • Photos of the scene, your bike, your injuries, and the at-fault vehicle
  • Medical records and bills you’ve already received
  • Insurance information (yours and, if you have it, the driver’s)
  • Any written communications from an insurance company

We offer a free consultation. During that meeting, you’ll get an assessment of your case, including what it’s worth, what we’d need to build it, and what the realistic path forward looks like.

California Legal Resources for Bicycle Accidents

California has a defined legal framework that governs bicycle accidents, driver responsibilities, and injured riders’ rights. Here are laws that may influence your bicycle accident case:

  • Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1: The two-year statute of limitations that applies to most personal injury claims in California, including bicycle accidents.
  • Civil Code Section 3333: Allows recovery of all damages proximately caused by a wrongful act, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
  • Civil Code Section 1714: Establishes that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their own lack of ordinary care or knowledge.

Reach Out to Goldberg Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in the San Fernando Valley, don’t wait. California’s statute of limitations is strict, and evidence may disappear quickly. We represent injured cyclists on a contingency basis, no fees unless we recover for you. Contact Goldberg Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.