Fighting for Bicycle Accident Victims and Their Families
Cyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road. You have every legal right to be there—bicycles are vehicles under the law—but that doesn’t stop drivers from treating you like you don’t belong. And when a collision happens, the physics are brutally unfair: a 4,000-pound car versus a 20-pound bicycle and the unprotected human riding it.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you’re facing more than just physical recovery. You’re up against insurance companies that may try to blame you for being on the road in the first place. You need an attorney who will fight for your rights as a cyclist and hold negligent drivers accountable.
At DJC Law, our bicycle accident lawyers understand the unique challenges cyclists face—on the road and in the legal system. We’re committed to getting you the compensation you deserve.
We handle bicycle accident cases on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Cyclists Have Rights
Let’s start with a fundamental truth that too many drivers—and even some insurance adjusters—don’t seem to understand: bicycles are vehicles, and cyclists have the same rights to use the road as any other vehicle operator.
In virtually every state, bicycles are legally defined as vehicles. Cyclists have the right to ride on public roads, to take the full lane when necessary for safety, and to be treated with the same respect as any other road user. Drivers are required to share the road, pass at safe distances, and yield to cyclists just as they would to other vehicles.
Despite these clear legal rights, cyclists face a persistent bias. Drivers often view cyclists as obstacles rather than legitimate road users. Insurance companies exploit this attitude, looking for any excuse to blame the cyclist—even when the evidence clearly shows the driver was at fault.
Our attorneys fight for cyclists’ rights. We don’t let insurance companies treat you like a second-class road user. We establish fault clearly, counter anti-cyclist bias, and demand full compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose DJC Law for Your Bicycle Accident Case
Bicycle accident cases require attorneys who understand both cycling and the bias cyclists face. Here’s what sets us apart.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We handle all bicycle accident cases on contingency. You don’t pay any upfront fees, and you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
We Understand Cyclist Rights
We know the traffic laws that protect cyclists—and we know how to use them to build strong cases. We don’t let insurance companies mischaracterize what happened or blame you for exercising your legal rights.
We Fight the Anti-Cyclist Bias
We’ve seen how insurance companies try to blame cyclists for simply being on the road. We counter this bias with evidence, expert testimony, and persuasive advocacy that establishes your rights and the driver’s fault.
We Know Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents cause specific types of injuries that require specific expertise to document and value properly. We work with the right medical experts to ensure your injuries are fully understood and compensated.
Trial-Ready Representation
Insurance companies know which firms will take cases to trial. Our willingness to fight in court often motivates insurers to offer fair settlements rather than risk a jury verdict.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Most bicycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to see cyclists, fail to yield, or simply don’t respect cyclists’ right to the road. Common causes include:
Right-hook accidents. A driver passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right, cutting directly across the cyclist’s path. This is one of the most common and dangerous types of bicycle accidents.
Left-cross accidents. A driver turning left fails to see an oncoming cyclist or misjudges their speed, turning directly into their path. Like motorcycle left-turn accidents, these crashes are extremely dangerous.
Dooring accidents. A driver or passenger opens a car door directly into the path of an approaching cyclist. The cyclist may crash into the door, be thrown from their bike, or swerve into traffic to avoid the door.
Rear-end collisions. A distracted, speeding, or inattentive driver strikes a cyclist from behind. These crashes often cause severe injuries because the cyclist has no warning and no opportunity to brace for impact.
Failure to yield. Drivers pulling out of driveways, parking lots, or side streets fail to yield to cyclists on the main road. Drivers often look for cars but don’t register bicycles.
Unsafe passing. Drivers pass too closely, clip cyclists with mirrors, or force them off the road. Many states now have safe passing laws requiring minimum distances (often three feet), but violations remain common.
Intersection collisions. Intersections are dangerous for cyclists. Drivers running red lights, failing to yield on turns, or not checking for cyclists before proceeding cause many crashes.
Distracted driving. Drivers texting, using phones, or otherwise distracted are especially dangerous to cyclists because bicycles are already harder to see than cars.
Drunk driving. Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and impaired judgment, making them extremely dangerous to vulnerable road users like cyclists.
Aggressive driving. Some drivers intentionally harass cyclists—honking, passing dangerously close, or “buzzing” riders. When this behavior causes an accident, it may support punitive damages.
Road hazards. Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, railroad tracks, sewer grates, and other hazards that cars drive over without issue can cause serious crashes for cyclists. Government entities may be liable for failing to maintain safe roads.
Defective bicycles or components. Brake failures, wheel defects, handlebar failures, and other equipment defects can cause crashes. Manufacturers may be liable for defective products.
When we investigate your accident, we look at all potential causes and all parties whose negligence may have contributed.
Types of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents take many forms, each with different dynamics and injury patterns.
Right-hook collisions occur when a vehicle passes a cyclist and turns right, cutting across the bike lane or the cyclist’s path. These are extremely common at intersections and driveways.
Left-cross collisions happen when an oncoming vehicle turns left in front of a cyclist, failing to yield or misjudging the cyclist’s speed.
Dooring accidents occur when someone in a parked vehicle opens their door into a cyclist’s path. These crashes can cause severe injuries and may throw cyclists into moving traffic.
Rear-end collisions happen when vehicles strike cyclists from behind. These are often high-speed crashes with severe consequences.
Sideswipe accidents occur when vehicles pass too closely and clip cyclists, often with mirrors or the sides of the vehicle.
T-bone collisions at intersections happen when vehicles run red lights or stop signs and strike cyclists crossing with the right of way.
Driveway and parking lot accidents occur when drivers backing out or pulling forward fail to see cyclists.
Hit-and-run accidents leave injured cyclists without an identified driver. We help victims pursue uninsured motorist claims and investigate to identify responsible parties.
Single-bicycle crashes caused by road hazards may involve liability from government entities responsible for road maintenance or property owners whose hazards extended into the roadway.
Multi-vehicle incidents occur when a cyclist is struck and then hit again by another vehicle, or when avoiding one vehicle causes a collision with another.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle—and often traveling at significant speeds—cyclists suffer serious injuries even in seemingly minor accidents. Common injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death and permanent disability in bicycle accidents. Even with a helmet, severe impacts can cause concussions, brain bleeding, and lasting cognitive damage. Without a helmet, the risks increase dramatically.
Road rash occurs when cyclists slide across pavement. While sometimes dismissed as minor scrapes, severe road rash can damage multiple layers of skin and underlying tissue, requiring skin grafts and causing permanent scarring.
Broken bones are extremely common. Collarbones, wrists, arms, and legs frequently fracture when cyclists are thrown from their bikes or struck by vehicles. Compound fractures and multiple breaks often require surgery.
Spinal cord injuries can result from the impact of a collision or from being thrown and landing awkwardly. These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis.
Facial injuries including broken noses, cheekbones, and orbital bones occur frequently, along with dental injuries and lacerations that may cause permanent scarring.
Shoulder injuries are common because the shoulder often absorbs impact when cyclists fall. Separated shoulders, broken collarbones, and rotator cuff tears frequently require surgery.
Wrist and hand injuries occur when cyclists instinctively try to break their falls. These injuries can have lasting impacts on grip strength and fine motor control.
Knee injuries including torn ligaments and cartilage damage can occur from direct impact or from the twisting forces of a crash.
Internal injuries to organs including the spleen, liver, and kidneys can result from blunt force trauma and may not be immediately apparent.
Soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, and muscle tears can cause lasting pain and limitations.
Nerve damage can result from direct trauma or compression injuries, potentially causing numbness, weakness, or chronic pain.
Post-traumatic stress disorder affects many bicycle accident survivors. Fear of riding, anxiety around traffic, and flashbacks can significantly impact quality of life.
Some injuries are immediately obvious, while others develop over time. Always seek medical attention after an accident, even if you feel okay initially.
The “I Didn’t See Them” Problem
Just like with motorcycle accidents, drivers who hit cyclists frequently claim they “didn’t see” the cyclist. This excuse is so common it’s almost reflexive. But failing to see a cyclist isn’t a defense—it’s negligence.
Drivers have a legal duty to watch for all road users, including cyclists. Before turning, changing lanes, opening doors, or pulling into traffic, drivers must look—actually look—for bicycles. The fact that a bicycle is smaller than a car doesn’t relieve drivers of this responsibility.
Research has shown that drivers often look directly at cyclists and still don’t register their presence. Their brains are conditioned to look for cars and trucks, so they filter out bicycles. This phenomenon doesn’t excuse the behavior—if anything, it means drivers must make a conscious effort to look for cyclists.
We don’t let “I didn’t see them” become an excuse. We establish that the cyclist was visible, that the driver should have seen them, and that failing to do so was negligence.
Safe Passing Laws
Many states have enacted safe passing laws that require drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing cyclists—typically three feet, though some jurisdictions require more. Violations of these laws are strong evidence of negligence.
Even in states without specific safe passing laws, drivers have a general duty to pass at a safe distance. Passing so closely that you clip a cyclist or force them off the road is negligent regardless of whether a specific statute was violated.
We investigate whether safe passing laws apply to your case and use any violations to establish fault.
Helmet Laws and Your Case
Adult helmet laws vary significantly. Many states have no helmet requirement for adult cyclists, while others require helmets in certain circumstances. Most states require helmets for younger riders.
Whether you were wearing a helmet can affect your case:
If helmets were required and you weren’t wearing one, this may be used as evidence of comparative negligence—but typically only for head injuries, not other injuries.
If helmets weren’t required, some states still allow evidence of non-use to reduce head injury damages, while others prohibit such evidence since you were acting legally.
Importantly, helmet use doesn’t change whether the driver was at fault for causing the accident. It may only affect damages for head injuries in some states.
If you weren’t wearing a helmet, don’t assume you can’t recover compensation. Talk to an attorney about how your state’s laws may affect your claim.
Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accidents
Insurance for bicycle accidents can be more complex than for car accidents because cyclists may not have their own motor vehicle policy. Here’s how coverage typically works:
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance is your primary source of compensation. You file a claim against their policy for your injuries and damages.
Your auto insurance may provide coverage even when you’re on a bicycle. In many states, uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage extends to you as a pedestrian or cyclist—not just when you’re in your car. This is crucial when the at-fault driver has no insurance or inadequate coverage.
Household auto policies may cover you even if you don’t own a car. If you live with a family member who has auto insurance, their UM/UIM coverage may protect you.
Health insurance covers your medical treatment, though your health insurer may seek reimbursement from any settlement.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide liability coverage if you caused the accident, though this doesn’t help when you’re the victim.
Bicycle-specific insurance policies exist but are relatively uncommon. They may cover theft, damage, and liability.
We help you identify all available coverage and pursue maximum compensation from each source.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
While the driver who hit you is the most obvious defendant, other parties may share liability:
Drivers who caused the accident through negligent driving—failing to yield, unsafe passing, distracted driving, running lights or stop signs, dooring, etc.
Employers may be liable if the at-fault driver was working at the time (delivery drivers, truck drivers, employees running errands).
Vehicle owners may be liable if they lent their car to a driver they knew or should have known was unsafe.
Government entities may be liable for poorly maintained roads, dangerous bike lane designs, missing signage, or hazards like potholes and debris that caused your crash.
Property owners may be liable if hazards on their property extended into the roadway or bike path and caused your accident.
Bicycle manufacturers may be liable if a defect in your bicycle caused or contributed to the accident—brake failures, fork failures, wheel defects, etc.
Component manufacturers may be liable for defective parts including brakes, tires, handlebars, and safety equipment.
Bicycle shops may be liable if negligent assembly or repairs caused a mechanical failure.
Bars and restaurants may be liable under dram shop laws if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated driver who then hit you.
Identifying all liable parties increases available insurance coverage and improves your chances of full compensation.
Compensation in Bicycle Accident Cases
Bicycle accident injuries can be severe, and compensation may be substantial. You may be entitled to:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical costs: Anticipated surgeries, long-term therapy, and medical equipment
- Lost wages: Income lost during recovery
- Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to work due to permanent injuries
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your bicycle
- Equipment replacement: Helmet, cycling clothing, shoes, accessories, and other gear damaged in the crash
- Transportation costs: If you relied on your bicycle for commuting, costs of alternative transportation during recovery
- Home modifications: If permanent disabilities require accessibility modifications
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain from injuries and treatment
- Mental anguish: Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Disfigurement: Permanent scarring from road rash or surgical interventions
- Disability: Limitations on physical abilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to cycle or participate in other activities you enjoyed
- Loss of consortium: Impact on your relationship with your spouse
In cases involving egregious conduct—such as intentional harassment, drunk driving, or road rage—punitive damages may be available.
If a loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often treat cyclists unfairly, looking for any excuse to deny or minimize claims. Common tactics include:
- Blaming you for being on the road as if cycling itself is negligent
- Claiming you were “hard to see” to excuse the driver’s failure to look
- Arguing you should have been in a bike lane even when none existed or using the lane wasn’t required
- Pointing to helmet non-use even for injuries unrelated to your head
- Claiming you were riding unsafely without evidence
- Minimizing road rash as “just scrapes” rather than the serious injury it often is
- Disputing the value of your bicycle and equipment
- Offering quick lowball settlements before you understand the extent of your injuries
- Using social media to find photos or posts to use against you
Don’t talk to insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney first. We handle all communications and protect you from these tactics.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
The steps you take after an accident can significantly impact your case. If you’re able:
At the scene:
- Call 911 and request medical attention
- Move to safety if possible, but don’t leave the scene
- Get the driver’s information (name, contact, insurance, license plate)
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Take photos of the vehicles, your bicycle, damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries
- Photograph any skid marks, debris, or other evidence
- If a door caused the accident, photograph the door position and vehicle
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Preserve your helmet and cycling gear—don’t repair or discard them
After leaving the scene:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
- Follow all medical advice and attend all appointments
- Document your injuries with photos as they develop—road rash especially looks worse over time
- Keep records of all medical treatment, expenses, and missed work
- Preserve your bicycle, helmet, and gear as evidence—don’t repair them
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies
- Don’t sign anything from insurance companies without legal review
- Be careful what you post on social media
- Contact a bicycle accident attorney
Statute of Limitations
Every state has a deadline for filing bicycle accident lawsuits. Most states allow between two and four years, though some have shorter deadlines.
Claims against government entities for road hazards, dangerous bike lane designs, or accidents involving government vehicles typically have much shorter notice requirements—sometimes as little as 30 to 180 days.
Missing the deadline typically means losing your right to compensation forever. Don’t wait to consult an attorney.
How Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Help
We fight for cyclists’ rights against insurance companies that don’t respect them. Here’s how we help:
We investigate thoroughly, gathering evidence to prove the driver’s fault—witness statements, traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction, police reports, and more.
We establish your rights, presenting your case in a way that makes clear you were legally entitled to be on the road and the driver was at fault.
We counter the bias, preventing insurance companies from blaming you for exercising your legal right to ride.
We preserve evidence, ensuring your bicycle, helmet, and gear are properly documented and preserved for analysis.
We document your injuries fully, working with medical experts to ensure the severity and long-term impact of your injuries are properly understood.
We identify all sources of compensation, including the at-fault driver’s insurance, your own UM/UIM coverage, household policies, and other liable parties.
We fight for maximum recovery, negotiating aggressively and preparing every case for trial if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Do I have a case if I wasn’t in a bike lane?
Yes. Cyclists are not required to use bike lanes in most situations. You have the legal right to ride on the road, and drivers must share the road with you. Not being in a bike lane doesn’t make the accident your fault.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You may still recover compensation. Helmet non-use may only affect damages for head injuries, and only in some states. It doesn’t change whether the driver was at fault. Talk to us about how your state’s laws apply.
The driver says they didn’t see me. Can I still recover?
Absolutely. Failing to see a cyclist is negligence, not a defense. Drivers have a duty to watch for all road users. We know how to counter this common excuse.
What if I was partially at fault?
You may still recover compensation in most states, though your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Don’t accept blame without consulting an attorney—insurance companies routinely try to shift fault to cyclists.
I don’t own a car. Do I have any insurance coverage?
You may. If you live with a family member who has auto insurance, their UM/UIM coverage may protect you. You can also file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. We help identify all available coverage.
What if the driver left the scene?
You may have a claim through uninsured motorist coverage. We also investigate to try to identify the driver through witnesses, traffic cameras, and other evidence.
Will I be able to ride again?
That depends on your injuries. If you can’t ride again—or can’t ride as you did before—that loss is compensable. We fight for damages that include the loss of activities you enjoyed.
How much is my bicycle accident case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the strength of evidence. We can give you a better estimate after reviewing your case in a free consultation.
Contact Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you need attorneys who will fight for your rights as a cyclist—against the insurance company and against the bias cyclists face. At DJC Law, we’re committed to getting riders the compensation they deserve.
We’ve helped countless bicycle accident victims recover from devastating crashes. Let us put that experience to work for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight for your rights. There’s no obligation, and you’ll pay nothing unless we win.
