Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bike Accidents in Los Angeles: Your Rights, Our Experience
Bicycle accidents continue to increase in Los Angeles as more people choose biking as their primary mode of transportation throughout Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown LA, and the San Fernando Valley. Unfortunately, these collisions often cause severe injuries due to cyclists’ vulnerability. California law lets injured cyclists pursue compensation for damages caused by negligent drivers, dangerous road conditions, or defective bicycle equipment.
Los Angeles features some of the busiest bike corridors in California, with routes along Venice Boulevard, Figueroa Street, and the city’s growing network of protected bike lanes. Even these heavily traveled streets can be hazardous with complex intersections, high-speed vehicles, and frequent construction zones. With LA’s unique mix of year-round cycling weather and steady vehicle traffic, riders face risks that require experienced legal guidance.
If you have been injured in a bike accident in Los Angeles, you need a bicycle accident attorney who understands the unique challenges of cycling claims. At McGee Lerer Ogrin, our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers focus fully on injury cases and are dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. We bring decades of combined experience and a record of achieving multi-million dollar results.
Injured in a bike accident? Contact us now at (310) 231-9717 for a free consultation.
When an accident happens, you may seek financial relief by filing a personal injury claim to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. Proving negligence, gathering key evidence, and working with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles helps you move confidently through the legal process.
Our Strategic Advantage: Former Insurance Adjusters on Your Side
One significant advantage of choosing McGee Lerer Ogrin is our team's background as former insurance adjusters. This insider knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate and defend bicycle accident claims allows us to:
- Anticipate their tactics and build stronger cases from the outset
- Unravel their strategies to ensure fair compensation
- Achieve more efficient and maximized settlements
- Compel insurance companies to offer appropriate compensation without long delays
With experience on both sides of the negotiating table, we craft practical strategies suited to insurance claims in Los Angeles. We stay up to date on insurers’ trends and adjuster approaches. This focus helps us counter attempts to minimize case value, resolve your case efficiently, and keep the process moving forward.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Legal Representation
- No Fee Guarantee: You owe no attorney fees unless we win your case. We cover all upfront costs.
- Doctor Referral Services: We connect you with trusted medical providers throughout Los Angeles County willing to treat on a medical lien basis—get care now, payment delayed until case resolution.
- Pre-Settlement Cash Advances: We assist in securing non-recourse cash advances for immediate expenses while waiting for settlement.
- Free Second Opinion: If you worry your lawyer is not fighting for you, we review your case and advise whether to switch, sharing our insurance adjuster insights.
Living in Los Angeles often means facing high medical costs and delays with some insurance claims. By linking you to reputable doctors and support for immediate bills, we help bridge the financial gap while your claim progresses. We know serious bicycle injuries can keep you from work or interrupt your daily routines, so we aim to make the legal process as clear and stress-free as possible.
This comprehensive approach lets you focus on recovery without financial stress.
Unparalleled Client Care & Communication
At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we believe that assertive representation should always come with compassionate care. Our clients consistently praise our professionalism, communication, efficiency, and results. We pride ourselves on:
- Responsive & Transparent Communication: Clients consistently note our availability, open communication, and honesty. You always know where your case stands.
- Humanity & Compassion: Testimonials often highlight that it's "not just their legal prowess that moved me; it was their humanity." We recognize the emotional toll of a personal injury and provide genuine support every step of the way.
- Bilingual Team: Our predominantly Spanish-speaking team ensures clear communication for our diverse client base.
You deserve a legal team that values your concerns and answers your questions with respect. Our offices across Los Angeles—including in Valencia and on the Westside—ensure help is close by wherever your accident happens in the county. We encourage open communication and keep you updated, so you always know your options and case progress.
Hear Directly From Our Bicycle Accident Clients
Don't just take our word for it. Listen to the experiences of real clients like Oliver and Jim, who trusted McGee Lerer Ogrin after their bicycle accidents and found the compassionate care and effective legal representation they needed.
Oliver's Testimony
Jim's Testimony
Bicycle Safety Measures in Los Angeles
Bicycle safety is critical in Los Angeles, where cycling is popular year-round on the LA River Path, Venice Beach Boardwalk, and throughout West Hollywood. While following safety measures can reduce accident risk, cyclists stay vulnerable to injuries from inattentive drivers and poor road conditions.
In areas like Silver Lake, Culver City, and Koreatown, cyclists often share the road with fast-moving vehicles and frequent buses. The City of Los Angeles encourages riders to review current bike lane maps and use public safety campaigns that promote driver awareness and visibility. Knowing the busiest intersections and local bike routes can help you avoid common risks while riding.
Essential safety measures include:
- Wear a helmet: Your best protection against head injuries
- Follow traffic laws: Cyclists must follow the same rules as vehicle drivers
- Use hand signals: Clear communication can help prevent accidents
- Wear visible clothing: Bright or reflective clothing helps drivers see you sooner
- Check your bike: Inspect tires, brakes, and lights before every ride
- Ride defensively: Stay alert for turning cars, parked vehicles, and loose debris
- Avoid distractions: Avoid headphones or phone use while riding
Even with the right precautions, accidents still happen because of distracted drivers, poor road maintenance, or unexpected events.
What to Do After a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident
If involved in a bicycle accident, knowing next steps protects your rights:
- Seek medical attention: Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel fine—some injuries are not obvious right away
- Report the accident: Notify police to create an official record
- Contact an accident attorney: Get legal guidance to protect your interests
After an accident, gather contact information from witnesses and take photos of the scene and any vehicles involved. Request a police report from the Los Angeles Police Department to establish key facts and strengthen your case. In many situations, speaking with an attorney quickly helps preserve important evidence, especially if another party disputes responsibility or if insurance adjusters approach you before you know your options.
Having a Los Angeles bike accident lawyer helps secure a fair settlement for your injuries.
Navigating California Bicycle Laws & Local Rules
California’s Vehicle Code sets specific rights and responsibilities for cyclists. In Los Angeles, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic and stop at all lights and signs, just like drivers. State law requires anyone under 18 to wear helmets; however, helmets benefit riders of any age throughout the city. Local ordinances apply too, including rules regarding riding on sidewalks and using front and rear lights after dark.
Local rules can affect the outcome of a bicycle accident claim. Violations—such as not using a designated bike lane when available—may influence fault in a crash. Los Angeles has many dedicated lanes along major streets, like Figueroa, so knowing which rules apply can impact the negotiation process. Our team monitors regulatory changes and city enforcement to provide knowledgeable guidance throughout your claim and help prevent future accidents.
The Process & Timeline for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Los Angeles
Pursuing a bicycle accident claim in Los Angeles involves several steps. The process starts when you or your attorney notify insurers and gather key evidence such as police reports, witness information, and medical records. As the investigation progresses, you will document medical bills, ongoing care, and the effects of your injuries on daily living. Most claims include settlement negotiations with insurers; a few may require court proceedings if there is disagreement on fault or damages.
Claim timelines can range from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the injury, the willingness of insurance representatives to negotiate, and whether a case proceeds to litigation. Los Angeles courts tend to have a high volume of cases, so claims involving serious injuries or higher damages may take longer to resolve. California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to bring most claims. By staying organized and responsive, you help keep your case moving as quickly as possible. Our approach always emphasizes a prompt, communicative process and regular updates at every stage.
Insurance Claims: We Know Their Playbook
Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts for bike accidents. Our background as former insurance adjusters positions us to:
- Ensure fair compensation: We account thoroughly for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering
- Handle negotiations: We leverage inside knowledge to improve settlement offers
- Explore additional options: We guide clients on uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and help interpret policy terms
Cyclists in Los Angeles sometimes face unique insurance challenges, especially with so many commercial vehicles, uninsured motorists, and ride-share drivers sharing local roads. Our understanding of the LA insurance landscape allows us to build strong claims for our clients, whether the incident happened in Echo Park, Marina del Rey, or near the Arts District. By starting with detailed documentation and regional insights, we often streamline negotiations and achieve more thorough settlements.
Protecting Bicycle Accident Victims Throughout L.A.
McGee Lerer Ogrin is committed to supporting bicycle accident victims across Los Angeles, from Venice and Pasadena to Long Beach. With decades of legal experience, our team pursues full compensation and has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
We maintain working relationships with leading medical professionals in Los Angeles County who treat various bicycle injuries. Our law offices at five locations mean you can find help nearby, whether your accident happened on Pacific Coast Highway, San Fernando Road, or a city street. Clients benefit from our local knowledge of traffic conditions, popular bike routes, and insurance company trends in each area of the county.
We have experience with law-changing cases involving vulnerable road users, including Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc., which established new legal grounds for pedestrians injured by e-scooters—highlighting our adaptive approach to personal injury law.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Results That Speak for Themselves
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$122,500,000 Global Settlement Sexual Abuse
Represented 14 of 124 childhood sexual abuse victims against the City of Santa Monica.
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$18,000,000 Auto v. Truck
Client rear-ended by trucking company.
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$10,000,000 Auto v. Big Rig
Family struck by a big rig.
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$4,090,000 Auto v. Auto
Family struck by a County of Los Angeles employee.
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$3,500,000 Negligence, Personal Injury
Client who was injured when a piece of machinery fell off a plumbing truck onto his foot.
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$3,500,000 Warehouse Accident
Client whose foot was run over by a forklift driver.