One minute, you're cruising through Studio City, enjoying the ride. The next, you're on the pavement injured, shaken, and unsure of what to do next.
Maybe a driver didn’t see you. Maybe they were texting. Maybe a door swung open in front of you, leaving no time to react. Now, you're dealing with medical bills, missed work, and an insurance company that’s offering far less than what you need to recover.
You’re not alone. As bicycle accident lawyers, we help riders like you get the compensation they deserve. Whether you're looking for a personal injury attorney in Studio City, a bicycle injury lawyer, or simply searching for a bicycle accident lawyer near me, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help.
Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Studio City
You know the risks every time you ride. Studio City’s busy intersections, inadequate bike lanes, and distracted motorists make the streets more dangerous than they should be. A simple ride to work, the store, or a friend’s house can turn into a bicycle-vehicle accident in seconds. And when it does, it’s usually the cyclist who suffers the worst accident injuries from facial damage and spinal cord injuries to long-lasting pain and loss of enjoyment in daily life.
Insurance companies don’t make things easy. They’ll downplay your injuries, blame you, or delay your claim, hoping you’ll take a lowball offer. That’s where we come in. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers fight to make sure you get fair compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, and accident-related losses. We handle the communications with insurance companies, gather crucial evidence, and take legal action if necessary.
One of our recent clients, a bike commuter, was hit by a careless driver near Ventura Boulevard. The insurance adjuster claimed he was at fault for “not being visible.” We proved otherwise, using accident reports, accident reconstruction, and local bicycle laws. The result? A maximum compensation settlement that covered his hospital stays, ongoing treatment, and property damage. That’s the difference an experienced team can make.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Studio City
The moments after a biking accident are chaotic. You’re in pain, confused, maybe in shock. But what you do next can make a huge difference in your personal injury claim.
- Get to Safety & Call for Help
If you can, move out of the flow of traffic. Call emergency medical services and the police. A police report will be key in proving fault. - Document Everything
Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, damaged bicycle, and the motor vehicle driver’s license plate. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. - Seek Medical Assistance
Even if you feel “fine,” see a doctor. Internal injuries, abdominal pain, and concussions don’t always show symptoms right away. Your medical records will also support your claim for damages. - Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company Right Away
The insurance adjuster may seem helpful, but their job is to pay you as little as possible. They’ll try to twist your words against you. Let your bicycle accident law firm handle the communications with insurance companies. - Contact a Qualified Bicycle Accident Attorney
A qualified bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate bicycle accident laws, identify liable parties, and ensure you receive adequate compensation. The sooner you get legal help, the better your case.
Who Is Liable in a Bicycle Accident?
Liability in a bicycle accident isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies use comparative negligence laws to reduce your payout. That’s why proving fault is critical.
- Negligent Drivers – Many bicycle accidents happen because of distracted driving, aggressive driving, or failure to yield. If a motor vehicle driver ignored traffic signals or turned into a bike lane, they can be held accountable.
- Hazardous Road Conditions – Potholes, debris, or inadequate bike lanes can make roads unsafe. The city may be liable for dangerous road conditions that led to your crash.
- Bicycle Doorings – Getting hit by a car door suddenly opening is common in urban settings. In many cases, the driver is responsible.
- Defective Bicycle Parts – Faulty brakes or defective bike helmets can turn bike collisions into life-threatening events. In these cases, the manufacturer may be at fault.
One of our clients was hit in a dooring accident on a narrow street with no adequate bike lanes. The driver’s insurance company argued she should have been riding “further left.” We proved that local traffic laws required her to ride where she did, and she won a fair settlement covering her physical therapy and emotional distress.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Studio City
If you’ve spent any time biking through Studio City, you know how unpredictable the roads can be. Between distracted drivers, hazardous road conditions, and a lack of adequate bike lanes, the risk of collisions is everywhere.
One of the biggest dangers? Negligent drivers. Whether it’s someone checking their phone, speeding through an intersection, or failing to yield, drivers often don’t see cyclists until it’s too late. We’ve handled countless cases where bicycle accident victims were blamed for their own injuries, even when the driver was clearly at fault.
Then there are bicycle doorings where a parked driver opens their door without looking, sending an unsuspecting cyclist straight into it. One client came to us after a dooring accident on Ventura Boulevard left him with severe injuries. The insurance company initially refused to pay, arguing he should have been riding further away from parked cars. We proved otherwise, securing a fair settlement that covered his medical bills and lost wages.
Road conditions play a huge role, too. Poorly maintained streets, potholes, and debris can turn a routine ride into a bicycle crash in seconds. When this happens, local government agencies may be responsible. We investigate every case to determine if unsafe roadways contributed to the accident.
What Type of Compensation Can You Claim?
A bicycle accident doesn’t just leave you with a damaged bike it can completely change your life. Whether you’re facing a long recovery, missing work, or struggling with emotional distress, you deserve compensation for what you’ve lost.
We fight for:
- Medical bills – From the ambulance ride to ongoing treatment, all your medical expenses should be covered.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim financial compensation for the income you’ve missed.
- Pain and suffering – Not all damages are physical. We help clients seek compensation for emotional trauma and reduced quality of life.
- Property damage – If your bike was totaled, repairs or replacement costs should be included in your claims process.
For one client, a bicycle collision left her with physical injuries that required months of rehab. The insurance company initially offered a low payout, but we fought to include her future medical expenses, securing her a settlement that covered her full recovery.
Can I Still Get Compensation If I’m Partially at Fault?
A lot of cyclists hesitate to file a bicycle accident lawsuit because they think they were partly to blame. Maybe they were riding outside a bike lane, or maybe they didn’t have lights on at night. The good news? California follows a comparative negligence model, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
Here’s how it works: If you were 20% responsible for the accident, your financial compensation would be reduced by 20%. So instead of receiving $100,000, you’d get $80,000.
Insurance companies love to take advantage of this rule. They’ll try to shift as much blame onto you as possible to pay out less. That’s why having an experienced personal injury attorney matters. We know how to counter these tactics, using key evidence like accident reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
E-Bike & Special Bicycle Accident Cases
E-bikes are becoming more popular, but they also bring unique legal challenges. Unlike traditional bikes, e-bikes often fall into a gray area in bicycle laws. In some cases, they’re treated like bicycles. In others, they’re classified closer to motor vehicles. This can affect your legal process, especially when dealing with insurance claims.
We’ve helped e-bike riders injured in bicycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and even trucking accidents get the compensation they need. One case involved a rider who was hit by a delivery truck while in a designated bike lane. The insurance company argued that, because it was an e-bike, the case should be treated like a motorcycle accident. We fought back and secured a fair settlement, ensuring the rider got full coverage for his severe injuries.
If your accident involved an e-bike, rental bike, or rideshare service, don’t assume you’re out of options. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal system and hold the fault party accountable.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Bike Accident
Insurance companies love to act like they’re on your side until it’s time to pay up. The moment you file a claim, they’ll look for ways to minimize your payout. They might say you were at fault, claim your injuries aren’t as serious as you say, or delay the claims process so long that you feel pressured to accept a lowball offer.
We’ve seen it happen too many times. A cyclist hit by a careless driver ends up with catastrophic injuries, and instead of covering the compensation for injuries, the insurance company tries to blame the cyclist for being in the “wrong place” or “not visible enough.”
At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we don’t let them get away with that. As your Studio City Bicycle Accident Lawyer, we take over all communications with insurance companies, gather key evidence, and push back against any unfair tactics. The goal? Getting you the fair settlement you actually deserve whether that means negotiating aggressively or taking your case to court.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in California?
Time is not on your side after a bicycle accident. California law gives you only two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you’re dealing with a government entity say, if hazardous road conditions contributed to your crash you have even less time to act.
We get it. After an accident, you’re focused on healing, not legal deadlines. But waiting too long can mean losing your right to financial compensation completely. And the longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather crucial evidence like accident reports, medical records, and witness statements.
If you’re unsure about your deadline, reach out to our Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Studio City today. We’ll review your case, make sure you’re on track to file on time, and handle everything so you can focus on recovery.
Bicycle Accident FAQs
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Can I still get compensation?
Yes. While a properly-fitting helmet can reduce severe injuries, California law does not require adults to wear one. The insurance company may argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries, but that doesn’t mean you’re ineligible for a claim.
The driver took off. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. If you were hurt in a hit-and-run traffic accident, you may be able to seek compensation through uninsured motorist coverage or other legal avenues.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and how the accident has affected your life. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
What if my accident resulted in a wrongful death claim?
If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, our firm can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. This can help cover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a family member.
Contact a Studio City Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
You don’t have to fight this battle alone. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we’ve helped countless personal injury victims get the financial compensation they need after bicycle accidents. Whether you were hit by a distracted driver, injured in a dooring accident, or dealing with an insurance company that won’t play fair, we’re here to help.
Call us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can get you the justice you deserve.
