Bicycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles

The driver's insurer already decided you were at fault because you were on a bike. Former insurance defense attorneys at Lederer & Nojima know exactly how to defeat driver-bias arguments.

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Cyclists are presumed at fault in Los Angeles. The driver will claim you swerved. The insurer will argue you should have been on the sidewalk or in a bike lane. They will dispute your helmet use. They will minimize your injuries because you were going slow. These are the arguments we defended when we represented insurers. Now we dismantle them.

David Lederer and John Nojima are former corporate insurance defense attorneys. They know how adjusters assess cyclist claims and which arguments carry weight with juries. They know the California Vehicle Code sections that give you the same road rights as drivers. They know how to prove driver fault when the physical evidence is minimal.

Bicycle accidents at low speeds produce catastrophic injuries. A 15 mph collision with a car door can fracture your collarbone, break facial bones, or cause traumatic brain injury. Insurers argue your injuries are minor because the speeds were low. We document the biomechanics and medical reality to prove otherwise.

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Former Insurance Defense

David Lederer and John Nojima defended insurers for years before switching sides. They know every strategy the adjuster will use to reduce your settlement.

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No Fee Unless We Win

Zero upfront cost. We work on contingency - our fee comes from your recovery. If we do not win, you pay nothing.

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Free Consultation 24/7

Call any time. We respond to urgent matters around the clock and take over all insurer communication the day you hire us.

What the Insurance Company Will Not Tell You After a Bicycle Accident

These are tactics we used when we defended insurers. Now we expose them.

They will argue you were at fault because you were on a bike

California Vehicle Code section 21200 gives cyclists the same rights as drivers. You have the legal right to the road. Insurers rely on driver bias and hope you do not know the law. We cite the statute in every demand letter.

They will use helmet law to reduce your claim

California does not require adults to wear helmets. If you were not wearing one, the insurer will argue comparative fault and claim your injuries would have been minor with a helmet. We retain biomechanical experts to defeat these arguments.

They will lowball you because the speeds were low

A cyclist hit at 15 mph can suffer the same catastrophic injuries as a driver hit at 35 mph. You have no crumple zone, no airbag, no seatbelt. Insurers ignore this reality. We document it with medical experts and injury severity data.

They will argue dooring is your fault for riding too close

California Vehicle Code section 22517 requires drivers to look before opening doors. The driver is liable. Insurers argue you should have seen the door opening and swerved - a physically impossible standard. We prove driver liability with traffic code and witness testimony.

What We Do for Bicycle Accident Victims

We retain accident reconstruction experts who analyze road conditions, sight lines, and vehicle speeds to prove driver fault. We pull surveillance footage from nearby businesses before it is deleted. We interview witnesses the same week. We document your injuries with your treating physicians and calculate lifetime medical costs when injuries are permanent.

We know which biomechanical arguments defeat helmet-fault claims. We know which Vehicle Code sections override "cyclist should have been elsewhere" defenses. We know how to prove catastrophic injury when the collision speed was low. These cases require expertise - not just filing a claim and hoping the insurer pays fairly.

Lederer & Nojima, LLP is located at 12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Call (310) 312-1860 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the driver says I was in the road and I should have been on the sidewalk?
California Vehicle Code section 21200 gives cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. You have the legal right to ride in the road. Insurers argue cyclist fault - we defeat these arguments with traffic law and witness statements.
Can I recover if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes. California does not require adults to wear helmets. The insurer will argue comparative fault and claim your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet, but you can still recover. We calculate the reduction and negotiate accordingly.
What is dooring and who is liable?
Dooring is when a parked car occupant opens a door into the path of a cyclist. California Vehicle Code section 22517 requires drivers to check before opening doors. The driver is liable. These cases cause serious injuries - fractured collarbones, facial injuries, and traumatic brain injury.
The driver left the scene. Can I still recover?
Yes. If the driver fled, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We also work with LAPD to locate the driver through surveillance footage, witness statements, and debris analysis.
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 section 335.1. If a city vehicle or employee was involved, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Call us immediately - the deadline is strict.

Related Practice Areas

Results may vary. Every case is unique. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Lederer & Nojima, LLP at 12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90025 or call (310) 312-1860.

Injured in a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident? Call Now.

No fee unless we win. Former insurance defense attorneys on your side.

Available 24/7  ·  No fee unless we win  ·  (310) 312-1860