Bicycle accidents in Inglewood, CA happen when drivers don’t watch for cyclists. Car doors opening into bike lanes. Right-turning vehicles cutting off cyclists already in the intersection. Drivers passing too close on narrow streets. These crashes cause serious injuries because cyclists have no protection beyond a helmet.
California law gives cyclists the same rights as motor vehicles. But drivers often don’t see it that way. They pass too close. They honk and yell. They assume cyclists don’t belong on the road. When that attitude leads to accidents, cyclists end up with broken bones, head injuries, and months of recovery.
Insurance companies treat bicycle accident claims with the same bias they show motorcycle riders. They assume you were at fault. They claim you weren’t visible or predictable. They undervalue injuries because they think juries won’t sympathize with cyclists.
At Weinberg Law Offices, we handle bicycle accident cases throughout Inglewood and Los Angeles County. We’ve spent 10 years representing injured cyclists and proving driver negligence. We understand California’s bicycle laws, what evidence proves fault, and how to counter insurance company bias. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Choose Weinberg Law Offices for Your Inglewood Bicycle Accident Case
Results that demonstrate our approach. We’ve secured multiple seven-figure settlements in personal injury cases. One case involved a client who tried handling their claim alone. The insurance company offered $2,500 against $27,000 in medical bills. After we took over, the settlement reached $800,000 with full recovery of medical costs. The difference wasn’t luck—it was preparation, negotiation, and willingness to take the case to trial if necessary.
Experience with California bicycle law. Attorney Yoni Weinberg has handled bicycle accident cases in California for a decade. He knows the Vehicle Code sections that apply to cyclists. He understands how to prove driver violations caused crashes. He’s dealt with complex liability scenarios involving multiple vehicles and unclear fault. Licensed in California, Washington, and Texas, he brings multi-jurisdictional experience to every case.
Direct communication you can rely on. You won’t spend weeks wondering what’s happening. We explain what evidence we’re gathering, what the driver’s defenses will be, and what your claim is worth. Attorney Weinberg speaks English, Hebrew, and Spanish fluently, which matters when working with Inglewood’s diverse cycling community.
No fees unless we win. Contingency representation means you don’t pay for legal services upfront. If we don’t recover compensation, you don’t owe attorney fees.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My experience with Weinberg Law offices was great. Lawyers always kept communication with me and explained things thoroughly. I would highly recommend them to others. Overall, I had an amazing experience with them and will work with them in any other future occurrence.” — Benito A.
Types of Bicycle Accidents We Handle in Inglewood
Inglewood’s streets create specific hazards for cyclists. La Brea Avenue and Prairie Avenue carry heavy traffic with no dedicated bike lanes. Manchester Boulevard near LAX has distracted drivers focused on airport navigation. Market Street’s commercial district has frequent parking and delivery activity that creates door zone hazards.
- Dooring Accidents. Parked cars opening doors into the path of cyclists. These crashes happen suddenly with no time to react. California Vehicle Code Section 22517 requires checking for cyclists before opening doors, but drivers often don’t. The injuries from hitting a car door at speed include broken bones, shoulder injuries, and head trauma when cyclists get thrown from bikes.
- Right Hook Accidents. Vehicles turning right across a cyclist’s path at intersections. The driver either doesn’t check mirrors or misjudges the cyclist’s speed. These crashes often cause severe injuries because the impact occurs at the bicycle’s side or front. California law requires yielding to cyclists already in intersections, but insurance companies still claim cyclists should have anticipated the turn.
- Left Cross Accidents. Vehicles turning left across the cyclist’s path from the opposite direction. The driver misjudges the cyclist’s speed or doesn’t see them at all. These accidents cause catastrophic injuries because impact speeds are high and cyclists have no protection.
- Rear-End Collisions. Drivers following too closely or not paying attention. These crashes throw cyclists forward off their bikes, often causing head injuries, spinal injuries, and road rash. California requires maintaining safe following distances, but drivers frequently violate this around cyclists.
- Side-Swipe Accidents. Vehicles passing too close to cyclists on narrow streets. California Vehicle Code Section 21760 requires three feet of clearance when passing cyclists. Drivers who violate this law and cause crashes are liable for resulting injuries. We’ve handled cases where drivers claimed they gave enough space when evidence showed they passed within inches.
- Intersection Crashes. Red light violations, stop sign failures, right-of-way disputes. Intersections account for many bicycle accidents because they’re where cyclist and vehicle paths cross. Drivers often claim they didn’t see the cyclist, which doesn’t absolve them of liability for failing to check before proceeding.
We investigate every case thoroughly. Police reports often contain errors about how bicycle crashes happened. We gather additional evidence—surveillance footage, witness statements, bicycle and vehicle damage analysis—to prove what actually occurred. Understanding what to do after a bicycle accident protects your ability to recover full compensation.
California Bicycle Laws That Affect Your Inglewood Claim
California Vehicle Code Section 21200 establishes that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. This means drivers must treat cyclists as legitimate road users, not obstacles to avoid. But it also means cyclists must follow traffic laws—stopping at red lights, signaling turns, riding in the direction of traffic.
California doesn’t require adult cyclists to wear helmets, though it’s strongly recommended. Riders under 18 must wear helmets under Vehicle Code Section 21212. Insurance companies use helmet violations to reduce compensation for minors, claiming injuries wouldn’t have occurred with proper equipment. For adults, helmet use generally doesn’t affect liability unless head injuries are claimed.
The three-foot passing law under Vehicle Code Section 21760 requires motorists to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists. If three feet isn’t possible, drivers must slow to a reasonable speed and only pass when safe. Violations of this law that cause crashes create clear liability.
California uses comparative negligence under Civil Code Section 1714. If you violated traffic laws or contributed to the accident, your compensation reduces by your fault percentage. Insurance companies exploit this by claiming cyclists were riding unpredictably, going too fast, or wearing dark clothing. The goal is assigning maximum fault to reduce what they pay.
The statute of limitations for bicycle accident injury claims in California is two years from the accident date under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Property damage claims have three years. Miss these deadlines and you forfeit the right to file a lawsuit.
California requires motor vehicle insurance but doesn’t require bicycle insurance. When at-fault drivers carry only minimum coverage and your damages exceed policy limits, we explore underinsured motorist coverage from your own auto policy or other compensation sources. The California Department of Motor Vehicles maintains records of all traffic accidents, which can be important evidence in establishing fault.
What Compensation Covers in Bicycle Accident Cases
Medical expenses include emergency treatment, diagnostic imaging, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and medical equipment. Future medical care matters when injuries require ongoing treatment or create permanent limitations. We work with medical experts to document both current costs and projected future needs.
Lost wages cover time you’ve already missed and future earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to your previous work. Bicycle accidents often cause injuries that limit physical capacity permanently. We document lost income including wages, bonuses, commissions, and benefits.
Property damage includes bicycle repair or replacement, safety equipment damaged in the crash, and other personal property. Insurance companies often undervalue high-end bicycles, offering depreciated values that don’t reflect replacement cost.
Pain and suffering compensates for physical pain, reduced quality of life, and permanent impairment. California doesn’t cap these damages in bicycle cases. The amount depends on injury severity, treatment duration, and how injuries affect daily life.
Loss of enjoyment applies when injuries prevent activities you participated in before the accident. For many cyclists, riding represents an important part of life. Injuries that prevent cycling or other activities deserve compensation.
The goal is full compensation for all losses. Insurance companies will offer quick settlements covering some medical bills but ignoring other damages. Before accepting anything, you need to understand what your claim is actually worth.
Contact Weinberg Law Offices
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Inglewood, contact us before dealing with insurance adjusters. We offer free consultations with no obligation.
During the consultation, we’ll review the accident details, examine your injuries, and explain your legal options. If we take your case, we start immediately—preserving evidence, consulting experts, handling insurance communications while you focus on recovery.
Time matters. Evidence disappears. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Witnesses become harder to locate. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case becomes.
Insurance companies count on you not knowing what bicycle accident claims are worth. They make lowball offers hoping you’ll accept before understanding your injuries’ full extent. Before you sign anything or give recorded statements, talk to someone who will protect your interests as a cyclist.
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.