Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Aghnami Law Group represents cyclists injured in collisions throughout Los Angeles. In 2024, LAPD recorded 435 bicycle crashes across the city, resulting in 12 deaths and 438 injuries.
The majority of those crashes happened on roads without dedicated bike lanes, on multi-lane arterials where cyclists have no buffer between themselves and vehicles traveling 35 mph or faster.
Our office at 27201 Puerta Real, Suite 300, Office 44, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 serves bicycle accident clients across Los Angeles and Southern California. The firm’s founding attorneys, Amir Aghnami and Sanam Aghnami Salimnia, previously represented insurance companies and corporations in personal injury claims.
That former defense-side experience revealed how carriers handle cyclist claims differently from driver claims, and how adjusters use anti-cyclist bias to shift blame and reduce payouts.
Call (213) 212-4334 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7, charge no upfront fees, and take every case on a contingency basis.
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Why Los Angeles Cyclists Choose Aghnami Law Group
Our attorneys spent years representing insurers and corporations in injury claims. Specifically, they saw how carriers handle bicycle cases internally, including the assumption that cyclists contributed to the crash simply by being on the road.
In contrast to firms that learn these tactics through litigation, our team learned them from the inside. We use that knowledge to dismantle adjuster arguments that blame the rider for infrastructure failures and driver negligence.
Direct Attorney Involvement
Amir Aghnami, a USC graduate in Economics (Cum Laude) and Loyola Law School alumnus licensed in California and Nevada, works directly on client cases alongside Sanam Aghnami Salimnia. There is no handoff to case managers for critical decisions.
Do You Offer Consultations in Other Languages?
Our attorneys are fluent in English, Farsi, and Turkish. Los Angeles’ international cycling community includes riders who prefer discussing legal and medical details in their primary language. That access removes a barrier during a critical recovery period.
No Upfront Fees
Bicycle accident cases at Aghnami Law Group are handled on a contingency fee basis. The client pays nothing out of pocket. Attorney’s fees come from the settlement or verdict. Call (213) 212-4334 to schedule a free consultation.
How Does California Bicycle Law Protect Riders in Los Angeles?
Cyclists Have the Same Rights as Drivers
California Vehicle Code Section 21200 grants cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators on every public roadway. A driver who strikes a cyclist violates the same duty of care that applies to collisions between two cars.
This statute is critical because adjusters often frame bicycle accidents as the rider’s fault for “being in the road.” California law rejects that framing entirely. Cyclists belong on the road, and drivers must respect their presence.
The Three Feet for Safety Act
CVC Section 21760 requires every driver passing a cyclist to maintain at least three feet of clearance. When road conditions make three feet impossible, the driver must slow to a safe speed and pass only when doing so does not endanger the cyclist.
Violations of the Three Feet for Safety Act create strong evidence of driver negligence. Our attorneys use this statute in every applicable bicycle accident claim.
The Two-Year Statute of Limitations
CCP Section 335.1 gives injured cyclists two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Claims against a government entity, including claims based on dangerous road design or missing bike infrastructure, require a government tort claim within six months.
Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. A cyclist who shares partial fault may still recover compensation, reduced by their percentage of responsibility. In contrast to states that bar recovery above 50% fault, California imposes no threshold.
Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Happen in Los Angeles?
According to a BikeLA analysis of cyclist fatalities, 85% of deadly crashes in Los Angeles occurred on roads without dedicated bike lanes and 77% happened on roads with three or more lanes per direction. The most dangerous corridors include:
- Venice Boulevard: A high-volume east-west arterial connecting the Westside to Downtown. Narrow or absent bike lanes, heavy commercial traffic, and frequent turning movements make this one of the most dangerous cycling corridors in the city.
- Sunset Boulevard: Multi-lane traffic through Echo Park, Silver Lake, and Hollywood exposes cyclists to sideswipe and right-hook collisions from drivers merging into turn lanes without checking for bikes.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: South LA’s MLK corridor has some of the highest cyclist injury rates in the city. Wide lanes, high speeds, and limited cycling infrastructure create a hostile environment for riders.
- 7th Street through Downtown: Dense traffic, rideshare pickups, delivery vehicles, and bus routes converge in the Downtown core. Cyclists face dooring risk from parked cars and right-hook danger from turning trucks.
- Figueroa Street: A Vision Zero priority corridor that continues to produce cyclist injuries. High vehicle speeds and multi-lane crossings create collision risk at nearly every intersection.
- Santa Monica Boulevard: Heavy traffic through West Hollywood and into Century City with inconsistent bike lane coverage. Gap sections where bike lanes disappear force cyclists into active traffic lanes.
Each corridor presents different liability issues. Our attorneys match the investigative approach to the road design, traffic conditions, and driver behavior at the crash site.
What Types of Bicycle Accident Cases Does Aghnami Law Group Handle?
Our attorneys represent injured cyclists across a full range of collision scenarios:
- Right-hook collisions: A driver turns right across a cyclist’s path at an intersection or driveway, one of the most common and most dangerous crash types for riders.
- Left-turn accidents: An oncoming driver turns left directly into a cyclist traveling straight through an intersection.
- Dooring crashes: A parked vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of an approaching cyclist. Common along commercial stretches of 7th Street, Wilshire, and Santa Monica Boulevard.
- Rear-end impacts: A driver strikes a cyclist from behind, often caused by distracted driving or speeding on arterials where cyclists share the travel lane.
- Hit-and-run collisions: The at-fault driver flees the scene. LAPD data shows hit-and-run crashes are a persistent problem in South LA, Downtown, and Mid-City.
- Unsafe passing violations: A driver passes a cyclist with less than three feet of clearance in violation of CVC 21760, causing a sideswipe or forcing the rider off the road.
- Infrastructure failure claims: Dangerous road design, missing signage, inadequate bike lanes, or poor road surface conditions maintained by the City of Los Angeles or Caltrans.
Each case type requires a different investigative approach and negotiation strategy.
What Compensation Is Available After a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accidents produce severe injuries because riders have no structural protection. The table below shows why the at-fault driver’s minimum insurance rarely covers the actual cost.
Injury Type | Typical Cost Range | CA Minimum Per Person (2025) | Coverage Gap |
Road rash with skin grafts | $20,000 to $100,000 | $30,000 | Up to $70,000 |
Fractured collarbone or wrist | $15,000 to $75,000 | $30,000 | Up to $45,000 |
Facial fractures and dental reconstruction | $25,000 to $150,000 | $30,000 | Up to $120,000 |
$100,000 to $1,000,000+ | $30,000 | Up to $970,000+ | |
Spinal cord injury | $500,000 to $3,000,000+ | $30,000 | Up to $2,970,000+ |
These figures cover medical costs alone. Lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation are separate categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover every measurable financial loss. Specifically, these include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, bicycle replacement, and out-of-pocket costs such as transportation to Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical Center, or the nearest trauma facility.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for losses without a dollar receipt. Physical pain, emotional distress, scarring from road rash, loss of enjoyment of cycling, and the impact on personal relationships fall into this category. California places no statutory cap on non-economic damages in bicycle accident cases.
When Do Punitive Damages Apply?
Punitive damages apply when the at-fault driver’s conduct was willfully reckless. In contrast to compensatory damages, punitive awards punish the defendant. DUI collisions and hit-and-run crashes involving cyclists are scenarios where a Los Angeles jury may consider this category.
How Aghnami Law Group Builds a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Claim
Evidence Collection and Preservation
Our attorneys begin evidence collection immediately after engagement. This includes the LAPD traffic collision report, traffic camera and red-light camera footage, dashcam and building surveillance recordings, cell phone records, Strava or GPS data showing the cyclist’s route and speed, and medical records from treating facilities.
Based on our experience on the defense side, we know which evidence adjusters weigh most heavily in bicycle cases and which gaps they exploit to shift fault onto the rider.
How Do We Counter the Anti-Cyclist Bias?
Insurance adjusters and juries often assume cyclists caused the crash by riding in traffic. That bias is the single biggest obstacle in bicycle injury claims. Our attorneys counter it with road design analysis, Three Feet Act violation evidence, traffic camera footage, and professional testimony on cyclist behavior and infrastructure standards.
Having worked inside insurance carriers, we know how adjusters frame bicycle cases internally. We build demands that dismantle that framing before it reaches a jury.
FAQ for Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Claims
Does California require adult cyclists to wear helmets?
No. California requires helmets only for riders under 18. However, not wearing a helmet may reduce the damages awarded for head injuries under comparative negligence principles. Injuries unrelated to helmet use remain fully recoverable.
Can I file a claim if the driver who hit me left the scene?
Yes. Uninsured motorist coverage on an auto policy the cyclist holds, or a household family member’s auto policy, may cover hit-and-run bicycle accidents. Our attorneys review all available policies to identify coverage.
What if the road design contributed to my crash?
Claims against the City of Los Angeles, LA County, or Caltrans for dangerous road conditions are viable but require a government tort claim within six months. Missing bike lanes, inadequate signage, and hazardous road surfaces are all potential grounds for a government liability claim.
Does the Three Feet for Safety Act apply on every road?
Yes. CVC 21760 applies on all California roadways. When conditions make three feet of clearance impossible, the driver must slow to a safe speed and pass only when it does not endanger the cyclist. A violation creates strong evidence of negligence.
How much is my Los Angeles bicycle accident case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, liability strength, available insurance, and impact on daily life. Bicycle accidents frequently involve traumatic brain injuries and orthopedic damage that require extended treatment. Our attorneys evaluate each claim individually during the free consultation.
Do I need a lawyer if the driver's insurance already accepted fault?
Accepting fault does not mean the insurer will pay a fair amount. Adjusters who admit liability still minimize the value of the claim through lowball medical calculations and inflated comparative fault arguments. An attorney calculates the true value and negotiates from a position of evidence, not trust.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Aghnami Law Group represents injured cyclists across Los Angeles and Southern California. Our attorneys file claims, handle all insurer communications, and build cases that counter the anti-cyclist bias insurance companies rely on to reduce payouts.
- Office: 27201 Puerta Real, Suite 300, Office 44, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
- Phone: (213) 212-4334
- Availability: 24/7 contact, free consultations
- Fees: Contingency only, the client pays nothing unless we recover
- Languages: English, Farsi, Turkish
Contact Aghnami Law Group today to discuss your Los Angeles bicycle accident case.
Aghnami Law Group - Los Angeles Office
1801 Century Pk E 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Ph: (213) 279-0976
Why Choose Us?
- Free Consultation: We offer free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options.
- No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
- Proven Track Record: Our experienced attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for their clients.
- Transparent Communication: We keep you informed and involved, providing updates and answering your questions promptly.
- Client Centered Approach: We prioritize your needs and tailor our strategies to achieve the best poossible outcome for you.
Five Star Rated Service!
