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Who’s Liable in a Bicycle Accident? Understanding Negligence in California

July 18, 2025 María López Garcia
Home » Blog » Who’s Liable in a Bicycle Accident? Understanding Negligence in California

With rush-hour traffic on highways becoming increasingly problematic, it’s no surprise that more people are choosing to commute by bike. Cyclists save money and frustration while maintaining their health. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and sharing the road with cars can be dangerous.

Riding in a designated bike lane does not guarantee protection from accidents. Unfortunately, not all drivers respect traffic laws, and their negligence or recklessness can cost lives.

If you suffer injuries in a bike accident, you may be wondering what to do next. Who is liable for your bicycle accident in Los Angeles, and what are your legal rights? To navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve, you need a personal injury lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents.

Our experienced personal injury team at Adamson Ahdoot has the knowledge needed to build your case. Call us today at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation.

A car driver gets out of the car after crashing into a bicyclist.

Who’s Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

Riding your bike around Los Angeles is risky. Because cyclists lack protection on the road, accidents almost always result in injuries. However, vehicle drivers aren’t always to blame for bike accidents. Sometimes it’s the cyclist or even a third party. Regardless of who or what causes the bicycle accident, it is essential to determine who is liable for the resulting damages.

If you are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, liability may be clear if the driver drifted into your lane, was texting, or failed to yield. However, when road hazards like potholes or debris cause an accident, determining liability can be more complicated. That’s why it is essential to hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can identify the responsible party and seek justice.

Proving Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases

In order to hold someone legally responsible for your injuries, you must prove that they were negligent. The following questions can help you determine whether negligence played a role:

  • Did the cyclist suffer a permanent or serious injury?
  • Was the accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness?
  • Did the cyclist contribute to the accident through their own negligent behavior?

Negligence can take many forms, some more obvious than others. Below are the most common types of negligence that occur in bicycle accident cases.

Driver Negligence or Recklessness

Disregarding the safety of other road users can be considered reckless behavior. Drivers may be considered negligent if they break traffic laws or fail to exercise reasonable care while driving. Common examples include:

  • Speeding.
  • Driving in designated bike lanes.
  • Failing to yield to cyclists.
  • Driving under the influence.
  • Distracted driving.

In legal terms, every driver has a duty of care. Failing to uphold that duty can make a driver legally liable for any resulting injuries in a bicycle accident. When evaluating driver behavior, courts often refer to standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Cyclist Negligence

Cyclists are also required to follow the rules of the road. If they disregard traffic laws, such as running red lights, riding against traffic, or failing to signal, they may be considered partially or fully at fault for an accident. If the cyclist’s negligence contributes to the crash, the concept of comparative negligence may apply.

Product Liability in Bike Accidents

Not all bicycle accidents are the result of driver error or cyclist behavior. In some cases, faulty equipment is to blame. When that happens, responsibility may fall on the manufacturer of your bicycle or helmet. If a defective part or piece of safety gear contributed to your accident, you may have grounds to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.

This type of claim is a key way of securing full compensation for injuries caused by defective or poorly designed products.

Common examples of product defects in bike accidents include:

  • Brake system failures.
  • Cracked or unstable bike frames and forks
  • Malfunctioning safety gear, such as helmets that fail on impact.

Proving liability in these situations works a little differently than in typical accident claims. Instead of showing that someone acted carelessly, you’ll need to prove that the product was defective, that the defect directly caused your injury, and that you were using the item as intended.

If you believe a defective bicycle or helmet played a role in your accident, it’s important to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced bike accident attorney can help evaluate your case, determine whether a product liability claim is appropriate, and guide you through your legal options.

Understanding Negligence Per Se

One powerful legal concept that may be applicable to bicycle accident cases is “negligence per se.” This occurs when someone violates a law that was specifically designed to protect others from the type of harm that occurred.

In the context of bicycle accidents, negligence per se often involves a driver who has broken a traffic law, such as speeding, failing to yield, or driving under the influence. If that violation directly caused your injury, the court may automatically presume that the driver was negligent.

In these cases, you do not need to prove that the driver acted unreasonably; you only need to show that they broke a law designed to protect public safety and that this led to your injury.

A Cyclist’s Rights in California

Knowing your rights as a cyclist on California roads can help keep you safe and prepare you for the event of an accident. Many people are unaware that, under California law, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.

By law, motorists must treat cyclists with the same caution and respect as other drivers. If a driver fails to do so and causes an accident involving a bicycle, the driver can be held liable for any resulting injuries. However, cyclists must also obey all traffic laws.

This is why it is crucial to contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible after a crash.

At Adamson Ahdoot, our knowledgeable attorneys work to determine who is at fault and gather the evidence you need. They build a strong case to make sure you don’t end up paying for someone else’s mistake.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Bike Accident Cases?

The time you have to file a legal claim after a bicycle accident depends on where the accident occurred and the nature of your injuries.

California law classifies most bicycle accidents as personal injury cases, which means:

  • You have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
  • If the injury developed gradually and wasn’t discovered right away, you have one year from the date the injury was discovered to take legal action.

It’s also important to note that if your accident involved a government entity—like a crash caused by a poorly maintained public road—you must file a claim within six months of the incident.

Failing to file within these deadlines may result in losing your right to pursue compensation. To avoid missing key deadlines, it’s best to speak with a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney.

Why Choose Adamson Ahdoot’s Bike Accident Lawyers

Hiring a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney is a simple step, and the choice is clear. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases just like yours.

We are here to guide you or your loved one after a bicycle accident. We understand how overwhelming the aftermath of an accident can be, and we strive to support and guide you through every step of the process.

Furthermore, we provide free consultations so you can explore your legal options without any out-of-pocket costs. More importantly, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us unless we win your case and secure a successful settlement.

Proudly based in Los Angeles, we serve clients throughout California. When you call Adamson Ahdoot, you can count on having a compassionate, knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney in your corner, fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Call (800) 310-1606 to discuss your options today.

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