Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Avid Bicyclists Advocate for Injured Sacramento Cyclists

A bicycle collision can cause serious injuries even when you wear a helmet. With little protection from the force of impact, you may suffer broken bones, brain injuries, scars and disfigurement, neck and back injuries, or fatal injuries.

At Piering Law Firm, we advocate for bicyclists injured or killed because of driver negligence, product defects, and dangerous roads. Robert Allen Piering, John Beals, and Sukhtej Atwal have more than 50 years of combined legal experience.

As avid bicyclists, we understand the issues you face on the road. We use that perspective to investigate how your crash happened, identify potential sources of recovery, and guide you through the legal process.

Discuss your crash with our Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys. Contact us online today.

National Bicycle Crash Statistics

Bicyclists remain vulnerable when sharing public roads with motor vehicles. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

• 1,075 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes on public roadways in 2024.
• About 53,000 bicyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes on public roadways in 2024.
• Bicyclists accounted for roughly 3% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024.

Without a vehicle frame to absorb the impact, you can be thrown onto the road or struck directly by a vehicle. Your injuries may require emergency treatment, ongoing medical care, and time away from work.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Sacramento

Sacramento has roughly 240 miles of bike lanes, and the American River Bike Trail, also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, is a major cycling corridor. Even where bicycle infrastructure is available, a collision can occur when a motorist fails to watch for you or provide enough space.

Common causes of bicycle collisions include:

• Dangerous road conditions: Potholes, debris, and maintenance problems can contribute to cycling crashes.
• Driver negligence: A motorist may turn into you at an intersection, open a vehicle door into your path, or pass without enough clearance.
• Defective products: Defective bicycle frames, handlebars, brakes, and other components can contribute to serious crashes.

California Vehicle Code section 21200 generally gives you the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers when you ride on highways and the rules can apply. Section 21760 generally requires drivers to leave at least three feet when passing you. If that distance isn’t possible, the driver must slow down and wait until passing can be completed safely. When an adjacent lane is available, California law requires an overtaking driver to move into that lane to pass.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in California

Your actions after a crash can document what happened and connect your injuries to the collision. Focus first on your safety and medical needs, then preserve as much information as circumstances allow.

Steps to take after a cycling accident include:

• Call the police: Report the collision so law enforcement can create an official report.
• Don’t admit fault: Avoid apologizing or making statements that could be interpreted as accepting responsibility.
• Collect information: Exchange names, contact details, license plate numbers, and insurance information with the driver when possible.
• Document the scene: Photograph the vehicles, bicycle damage, visible injuries, traffic controls, and relevant road conditions. Gather witness contact information and preserve crash-related records.
• Get medical attention: Seek prompt evaluation and retain records of your diagnosis, treatment, and related expenses.

You can receive care at facilities such as Dignity Health Mercy General Hospital or UC Davis Medical Center. Once you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs, we can review the evidence and explain the next steps in your bicycle accident claim.

Compensation & Insurance After a Bicycle Crash

Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable economic losses can include medical bills, lost wages, bicycle repair or replacement costs, and other property damage. Non-economic damages can address your pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and the effects of your injury on personal relationships.

We take the time to understand how your injury has affected your daily activities and quality of life. Our attorneys examine potential recovery through the at-fault driver’s auto insurance, your own auto insurance, and any applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

California Filing Deadlines & Bicycle Helmet Rules

As general California information, Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 usually provides two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim involves a dangerous road and a government entity, it can be subject to a much shorter administrative deadline, generally six months under Government Code section 911.2. Your applicable deadline depends on the parties and facts, so prompt review is important.

California Vehicle Code section 21212 requires cyclists under age 18 to wear a helmet. That statute doesn’t generally require you to wear one if you’re an adult riding a standard bicycle. Helmet use can still become part of an insurer’s arguments about your injuries, but it doesn’t determine who caused the collision.

Direct Attorney Guidance Throughout Your Claim

When you work with us, you work directly with an attorney who learns your individual story and guides you through the legal process. We’re prepared to confront large insurance companies and corporations rather than leave you to manage their demands alone.

Piering Law Firm has recovered millions for clients across California. Our strong track record of success includes results across multiple personal injury matters and reflects our commitment to pursuing accountability for injured clients and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your options after a bicycle collision often depend on the available evidence, insurance coverage, and each party’s role in the crash. These answers address questions you may have as you consider your next steps.

How Can I Prove Liability in a Bicycle Accident?

You can establish liability with evidence showing how another party’s negligence caused your crash and injuries. Relevant evidence can include the police report, witness statements, traffic-camera footage, photographs, vehicle and bicycle damage, medical records, and accident reconstruction findings. We evaluate the available evidence and identify any additional documentation you should preserve.

What Should I Do If the Driver Leaves the Scene?

Record any details you can about the vehicle, including its make, model, color, direction of travel, and license plate information. Report the hit-and-run to law enforcement, photograph the scene, gather witness details, and seek medical care. We can also review whether your uninsured motorist coverage applies to the bicycle accident claim.

Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, which generally allows you to recover damages even when you’re partly responsible for a crash. Your recoverable amount can be reduced according to your assigned percentage of fault. Photographs, witness accounts, traffic laws, and crash reports can affect that determination.

Start Your Bicycle Accident Claim

We offer free consultations and 24/7 availability. We handle bicycle accident claims on a contingent fee basis, so you pay only when we successfully resolve your case. Consultations are available in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Spanish.

Discuss your case in a free consultation with one of our experienced Sacramento bicycle accident attorneys on a weekend or in your home when necessary. Call (916) 476-2399 or contact us online.