A car comes out of nowhere. You hit the pavement hard. Your bike’s twisted under you. Pain shoots through your leg, your arm, your ribs. Everything feels broken. If you got hit by a car, truck, or rideshare vehicle while riding in Van Nuys, you’re probably dealing with injuries, medical bills, and a whole lot of questions about what happens next.
Here’s the truth: bicycle accidents aren’t treated like car accidents by insurance companies. Drivers get more protection than cyclists do. Their insurers know you’re vulnerable, and they use that against you. They’ll argue you should’ve seen them coming. They’ll say you weren’t visible. They’ll claim the crash was your fault when everyone knows it wasn’t.
That’s where a Van Nuys personal injury lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents comes in. We know how these cases work. We know how insurance companies defend them. And we know how to hold drivers accountable when they hit cyclists.
I’m Adrianos Facchetti. I’ve been handling injury cases in Los Angeles County for 20 years. We work on contingency, no upfront fees, no hourly bills. You don’t pay unless we recover money for you.
Why Bicycle Accidents in Van Nuys Can Be Serious
Van Nuys is a tough place to ride a bike. The area’s built around cars, not cyclists. You’ve got Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda, Victory Boulevard, all heavy traffic corridors. Add in delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and drivers distracted by phones, and you’re looking at real danger.
The San Fernando Valley doesn’t have the infrastructure for safe cycling. Bike lanes are inconsistent. Some streets don’t have them at all. Drivers aren’t always paying attention. They change lanes without looking. They turn right into cyclists. They open car doors without checking.
And when a collision happens, the physics work against cyclists. You’re exposed. No airbags. No metal frame protecting you. Just you and whatever you hit.
Injuries from bicycle accidents are serious. People end up with broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries. Some injuries look minor at first, then get worse. You feel fine for a few days, then your neck starts hurting. Your back stiffens up. You realize something’s actually wrong.
That’s why you need medical attention fast. And that’s why you need a lawyer early. The insurance company will contact you quickly, and they’ll be trying to pay you less than you actually deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Dooring Accidents
A parked car door opens into your path. You swerve or hit it. You go down hard.
This happens constantly in Van Nuys. Parking lots, residential streets, downtown areas. Drivers don’t look. They open the door and assume the road is clear.
Legally, the driver is responsible. California Vehicle Code § 22517 requires drivers to make sure it’s safe before opening a door. But proving it and getting paid takes work.
Distracted Drivers
Phone in hand. Eyes down. The driver doesn’t see you until it’s too late.
You’re riding on Sepulveda or Victory Boulevard. You’ve got the right of way. The driver’s texting. They drift into your lane. Impact.
Distracted driving is negligence. It’s also a traffic violation under Vehicle Code § 23123. It strengthens your case.
Unsafe Lane Changes
A driver switches lanes without looking. They don’t see you. They cut you off or sideswipe you.
This happens a lot at intersections and on freeways. Drivers assume other vehicles will be in front of them, not bicycles.
Drivers Turning Right Into Cyclists
You’re going straight through an intersection. The driver makes a right turn and doesn’t see you. You get hit.
This is one of the most common bicycle accident scenarios. Drivers focus on oncoming traffic and forget to check for cyclists in their path.
Poor Visibility and Lighting
It’s early morning or dusk. Visibility is low. The driver doesn’t see you until you’re in front of them.
Van Nuys has areas with poor street lighting. Some residential streets are dark at night. That doesn’t mean drivers get to hit cyclists. They still have a duty to maintain control and watch for hazards.
Rideshare Drivers
Uber and Lyft drivers navigating Van Nuys neighborhoods while watching the app instead of the road. They drift into bike lanes. They make sudden stops. They hit cyclists.
These cases are more complex because rideshare insurance works differently. But the driver is still responsible.
Common Injuries After a Bike Crash
Head and Brain Injuries
Concussions. Traumatic brain injury. Skull fractures.
Even if you’re wearing a helmet, impact injuries can happen. Helmets reduce injury severity, but they don’t prevent all head trauma.
Broken Bones
Fractures in arms, legs, ribs, collarbone. Some fractures need surgery. Some need months of recovery.
Road Rash and Lacerations
Severe cuts and scrapes from sliding across pavement. These leave permanent scars. They can get infected if not treated properly.
Spinal and Neck Injuries
Whiplash. Spinal cord damage. Paralysis in severe cases.
These injuries take time to manifest. You might feel okay the first day, then realize days later that something’s seriously wrong.
Internal Injuries
Bleeding. Organ damage. These are life-threatening if not treated immediately.
This is why hospital visits matter, even after crashes that seem minor at first.
Who May Be Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
The Driver
If a car or truck hit you, the driver’s responsible if they were negligent. That means they failed to exercise reasonable care.
Were they speeding? Distracted? Changing lanes without looking? Running a red light? All of those are negligence.
The Vehicle Owner
Sometimes the owner of the vehicle isn’t the person driving it. You can pursue a claim against the owner too, especially if they lent the vehicle to someone they knew was a reckless driver.
Rideshare Companies
If it was an Uber or Lyft driver, the rideshare company might be liable depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident. These cases are complex because multiple insurance policies are involved.
The City or County
If the accident was caused by a hazardous road condition, a massive pothole, missing street sign, or poor visibility from overgrown vegetation, the government agency responsible for that road might be liable.
But government claims have different rules and shorter deadlines. You typically have six months to file, not two years.
Premises Owners
If the accident happened in a parking lot or on private property, the property owner might be responsible if they failed to maintain the area safely.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Van Nuys
- Call 911 if you’re injured. Get medical attention immediately, even if you think you’re okay. Adrenaline masks pain. Internal injuries don’t show up right away. Medical documentation from the day of the accident is crucial.
- Get the driver’s information. Name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, vehicle make and model, insurance company, policy number. If they won’t provide it, get the plate and let the police handle it.
- Call the police. Van Nuys falls under LAPD jurisdiction. File a police report. Get the report number. This creates an official record.
- Take photos if you’re able. Pictures of your bike damage, vehicle damage, the scene, traffic signals, road conditions. Use your phone. It takes two minutes.
- Get witnesses. Anyone who saw the crash, get their name and phone number. Don’t assume you’ll remember them later.
- Don’t talk to the driver’s insurance company. Be polite if they call, but don’t answer detailed questions. Don’t give a recorded statement. Tell them your lawyer will contact them.
- See a doctor. Even if you refuse an ambulance, go to urgent care or the ER. Get evaluated. Get medical records. This matters for your claim.
- Contact a lawyer. The sooner we’re involved, the better. We can issue a preservation notice to make sure evidence doesn’t disappear. We can handle the insurance company. You focus on healing.
What Compensation Can Injured Cyclists Recover?
Medical Bills
Hospital visits. Surgery. Physical therapy. Ongoing treatment. All of it.
Lost Wages
Time you missed from work while recovering. If your injury affects your ability to work long-term, that counts too.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain. Emotional trauma. The impact on your quality of life.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Road rash can leave permanent scars. That has value, especially if the scars are visible.
Disability
If the injury leaves you unable to do activities you used to do, that’s compensable.
The total value of your claim depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and how clear the liability is. We can give you a realistic range after reviewing your medical records and the facts of your accident.
How Our Van Nuys Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
We Investigate
We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements. We figure out exactly what happened and who’s responsible.
We Handle Insurance Companies
We talk to adjusters so you don’t have to. We push back on lowball offers. We organize your case so it’s impossible for them to deny liability.
We Preserve Evidence
Dashcam footage. Surveillance video from nearby businesses. Street camera recordings. We issue preservation notices to make sure it doesn’t disappear.
We Work With Your Medical Team
We coordinate with your doctors to understand the full extent of your injuries. We make sure your medical record supports your claim.
We Calculate Damages
We don’t just guess. We add up every cost, medical, lost wages, and ongoing treatment. We make sure you get compensated for everything.
We Negotiate or Litigate
Some cases settle. Some go to trial. We’re prepared for either. The insurance company knows we’ll follow through, so they take us seriously.
FAQs About Bicycle Accident Claims in Van Nuys
What should I do immediately after getting hit by a car while riding in Van Nuys?
Call 911 if you’re injured. Get medical attention right away. Call the police and get a report number. Get the driver’s information and any witness names and numbers. Take photos if you can. Don’t talk to the driver’s insurance company. Call a lawyer before you give any statements.
Can I recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. California doesn’t require adults to wear helmets, so not wearing one doesn’t mean you’re automatically at fault. You can still recover compensation. That said, the insurance company will argue that a helmet would’ve reduced your injuries. We can counter that argument, but wearing one would’ve strengthened your position.
What if the driver says I was at fault?
California law lets you recover even if you share some blame. If you’re 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you recover $70,000. A lawyer can help establish that the driver was more at fault than you.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in California?
Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity was involved, you have six months to file a government claim. Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move. The sooner we’re involved, the better your position.
What compensation can I recover after a bike accident?
Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, disability, and reduced earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work. We calculate all of these and fight for full compensation.
Ready to Talk? Here’s How to Reach Us
You’ve got an injury. You’ve got medical bills piling up. You’ve got an insurance company trying to minimize what they owe you.
You need someone who understands bicycle accident claims and knows how to fight for you.
We offer a free consultation. No obligation. You tell us what happened, we listen, and we tell you straight whether we think you have a case.
Call (626) 793-8607 anytime, day, night, or weekends.
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti represents injured cyclists across Van Nuys and Los Angeles County. We work on contingency. No upfront fees. No hourly charges. You don’t pay unless we win.
