When you get hit while riding your bike, the pain can set in fast, and so can the questions. Who’s going to pay for this? How long will it take to heal? What happens if you can’t work?
You need help from Southern California bicycle accident lawyers who take these cases seriously. At Dordick Law Corporation, we move quickly to hold careless drivers, property owners, and insurers accountable. Someone caused this, and we make them answer for it.
Gary A. Dordick has won some of the largest verdicts in California history, including a $125 million jury award in Ventura County. With more than 150 jury trials behind him and a team of 18 skilled trial lawyers by his side, we build strong cases fast – and we know how to win them. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and learn more about how we’ll fight for you.
Cases We Handle
Every bike crash looks different. What follows often feels the same: painful injuries, rising bills, and confusion about what comes next. We step in when someone’s carelessness puts a cyclist in the hospital. We represent injured cyclists across Southern California in cases involving:
- Driver Negligence – Drivers fail to check blind spots, drift into bike lanes, or open car doors into a cyclist’s path.
- Unsafe Road Conditions – Cracked pavement, loose gravel, or missing signage can trigger a wreck. Cities and counties must fix these hazards.
- Commercial Vehicle Collisions – Delivery vans, rideshare drivers, and trucks often crowd cyclists or cut them off without warning.
- Intersection and Crosswalk Accidents – A cyclist legally in the crosswalk has the same right to safety as any pedestrian.
- Hit-and-Run Crashes – When a driver speeds off, we help find them and pursue uninsured motorist coverage if needed.
Cyclists often suffer broken bones, concussions, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries. Some recover, but others never do. Either way, you need support to heal and move forward. We build strong cases that show what happened and what it will take to fix it.
We also pursue claims involving:
- Dangerous Property Entrances – Drivers pulling out of alleys or garages too quickly
- Construction Debris – Nails, cones, or fencing left in bike lanes
- School Zone or Park Area Injuries – Where children and adult cyclists face higher risks
These aren’t minor wrecks. When a car hits a cyclist, the injuries cut deep. We calculate every cost – medical, emotional, and financial.
Our team also investigates:
- Improper Signage and Signal Timing – Poorly timed lights or missing warnings cause serious crashes.
- Bike Lane Design Flaws – Some lanes disappear at intersections or lack basic protection. We hold cities accountable when bad planning leads to serious harm.
We know how to uncover violations, trace the cause, and show where the system failed. When we take your case, we push for change, not just for you, but for every cyclist riding that same street.
Southern California Bicycle Accident Statistics
Southern California’s sunny weather brings cyclists out year-round, but that exposure also brings risk. According to statewide data, roughly 1,250 bicyclists suffered serious injuries in crashes across California in a recent year, and 177 died. Los Angeles County consistently leads the state in bike accident injuries.
Additionally, over 80 percent of bicyclist fatalities happen in urban areas. About 56 percent occur during low-light conditions, such as dawn, dusk, or nighttime. These aren’t freak accidents – they reflect real safety failures by drivers, municipalities, and manufacturers.
Cyclists have no airbags or steel frames to shield them. Even a low-speed collision can cause devastating harm. These numbers remind us why our work matters – and why we act fast.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) adds that fatal crashes often occur on major roads not designed for safe bike travel. Speed limits above 35 mph double the likelihood of a deadly impact. Our roads favor cars. That leaves cyclists unprotected unless the law steps in.
Southern California cities vary in enforcement and bike-friendly infrastructure. Santa Monica, Long Beach, and San Diego have pushed forward with protected lanes, but many other areas lag behind. When enforcement fails or infrastructure disappears, the legal system must step in.
Examples of Cases We’ve Won
Our record speaks for itself. Dordick Law Corporation has recovered millions for injured cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers across Southern California, including:
- $3 Million Settlement – A driver opened his car door into our client’s path. The crash caused chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) along with multiple orthopedic injuries. We proved the driver’s careless actions created long-term harm. The case was settled in San Diego.
- $1 Million Settlement – This pedestrian accident case shows how we hold drivers accountable for ignoring the law. Our client was hit while legally crossing. The driver claimed limited liability – we showed otherwise.
- $1.97 Million Settlement – Our client was rear-ended and flipped during a funeral procession. This case highlights how we document traumatic brain injuries and fight for every dollar it takes to support a full recovery.
We’ve handled cases involving malfunctioning traffic signals, illegal turns by rideshare drivers, and unsafe construction zones with no warnings. Each case required quick investigation, expert testimony, and courtroom strength. We don’t accept the first settlement offer – we build trial-ready cases from the beginning. That pressure gets the results our clients need and deserve.
FAQs
You likely have many questions after a bike accident in Southern California. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions of your own.
How much is my bicycle accident case worth?
It depends on your injuries, treatment costs, income loss, and how the crash changed your life. No two cases look the same. We look at medical records, expert evaluations, and your personal experience to build the full picture. The only way to get a real number is to speak with us directly.
Why should I seek compensation?
Someone else’s actions put you in this situation. You didn’t ask for this, but now you have medical bills, missed paychecks, and physical pain. You deserve financial relief – and a legal team that won’t back down until it happens.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You can still bring a claim. California law encourages helmets (and requires them for those under 18), but not wearing one doesn’t erase someone else’s fault. We focus on the driver’s actions, the road conditions, and every detail that led to your injury.
What if the driver left the scene?
Hit-and-run drivers often get caught later. In the meantime, your own insurance might cover the crash under uninsured motorist provisions. We’ve handled many of these cases and know how to pursue every possible path forward.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In California, most injury claims are limited by a two-year statutory deadline. But certain cases – especially those involving public property or government vehicles – have shorter deadlines. Contact us quickly so we don’t lose time.
Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows a comparative fault rule. This means that even if you were partly responsible, you can still recover damages. Your final recovery may be reduced, but you don’t lose your right to file a lawsuit.
Why should I choose Dordick Law Corporation?
You should choose Dordick Law Corporation because we take cases to trial – and we win big. Gary Dordick has set records in California courtrooms. Our team includes 18 skilled trial lawyers backed by more than 60 staff members. We handle every case with urgency, precision, and real courtroom strength. When insurance companies see our name, they know we’re ready to fight.
Call Dordick Law Corporation Now to Get Started
If you’ve been injured while biking anywhere in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, or beyond, contact our Southern California bicycle accident lawyers now. Don’t let the insurance company downplay your injuries or delay your recovery. Let Dordick Law Corporation step in. We’re here to listen, and we’re ready to act. Contact us today at (310) 551-0949 to get started with your free initial consultation.