Cohen Reid LLPLos Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Personal Injury Attorney2026-11-13T14:57:55Zhttps://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1302247/2026/06/cropped-New_Fav-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Can riding without a helmet hurt your California injury claim?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=520502026-11-13T14:57:55Z2026-11-13T14:57:55ZWhen must adults wear bicycle helmets?
Under the California Vehicle Code, cyclists younger than 18 must use helmets. Adults riding conventional bicycles are not required to wear them. However, Class 3 electric bicycle operators must be at least 16, and both operators and passengers must wear helmets.
Can an insurance company blame you for your injuries?
California uses the pure comparative negligence rule. You can still recover money even if you are mostly at fault. However, your compensation is reduced based on your share of fault.
The driver's insurer may claim your lack of a helmet makes you partly responsible for your injuries. Still, that argument alone does not establish fault or justify denying your entire claim.
For example, a helmet generally would not prevent a broken leg. However, if you suffer a head injury, the defense may argue that wearing one could have reduced its severity.
A driver may still be responsible for causing the crash, even when an insurer argues that a helmet would have limited the harm. Those are two different questions.
What evidence can help support your claim?
When an insurer blames you for your injuries, the following evidence may help support your bicycle injury claim and challenge its argument:
Crash reports, photos, video footage and witness statements showing how the collision occurred
Medical records from your treating doctors documenting your injuries and treatment
Expert opinions assessing whether a helmet could have reduced your injuries
Medical records may also show when symptoms began, how long they lasted and whether the injuries affect your daily life or ability to work. This information can help show the full extent of your losses.
When an insurer disputes your bicycle injury claim
An insurance adjuster's assessment may not reflect the full value of your claim. An attorney can review whether the insurer overlooked medical records or made unsupported claims about how a helmet could have reduced your injuries. They can also explain what compensation may still be available. This can help you make informed decisions about your claim while you focus on recovery.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[A surprising link between new music and car crashes]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517962026-11-05T22:18:46Z2026-11-05T22:18:46ZDriver distraction is a huge problem for cyclists on any day of the year. Too many drivers are simply not paying enough attention to the road, and it poses a real threat to others -- particularly vulnerable cyclists. Often, distracted driving is so normalized that people don’t even realize they’re doing it. For example, a new study found a surprising link between driving with music and an increase in car crashes.
New album day can be a dangerous day on the road
The study carried out by a research team at Harvard Medical School discovered that there was a 15% uptick in vehicle accidents on the release dates of the 10 new albums the survey focused on compared with the days either side of them.Their theory is that the new album release can increase distraction for drivers. If a notification for a new album pops up on a driver’s phone screen or digital radio, they may be tempted to read what it says. Remember, the companies that stream music, such as Spotify and iTunes, are very good at targeting people’s tastes. The driver might then have to press a button or touch a screen one or more times to be able to listen to the new music.It’s also possible that there is an added distraction due to the new information they will take in when listening to the new music. They may pay close attention to the words and the music to hear what is being said or just to take it all in. By contrast, an album they have heard plenty of times before may just drift by them in the background without requiring much of their attention. If a driver injures you while you are out on your bicycle, there’s a good chance that distraction may have been a factor. You may need legal guidance to explore how to hold them responsible for their negligent actions and seek the compensation you need.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Unsafe roadwork and bicycle crashes: Who is responsible?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517932026-10-30T14:07:07Z2026-10-30T14:07:07ZWhen a bike lane closes without a safe route
Road crews use a traffic plan to guide people past construction. California's rules cover bicycles as well as cars, and crews usually use signs to show where people should go. When they close your bike lane, the temporary route affects how close you ride to moving vehicles.
A warning about roadwork does not tell you where to ride when the bike lane ends. You might reach a row of cones with cars passing beside you and find no marked path ahead. A barrier that blocks the remaining space makes it even harder to get through safely.
Who controlled the roadwork?
After the crash, you want to know who planned the work zone. A contractor may have placed the cones, while a city or state agency oversaw the project. The driver also had to watch for cyclists and pass safely. What each one did helps explain why you got hurt.
The traffic plan could show how the crew intended to guide cyclists through the area. Photos let you compare that plan with the cones you faced. Witnesses also help explain what the driver did before the crash.
To support your claim, you have to show how the unsafe route or the driver's actions caused your injury. If you pursue a claim against a public agency, California requires filing with the agency first.
Why your records matter
You deserve a safe route through construction, even when crews close your usual lane. You may want to save photos of the work area and records of your care while the details are still easy to find. Those records help you assess a bicycle injury claim and give local officials a specific safety problem to address.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Why do some traffic lights ignore cyclists?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517912026-10-30T08:28:55Z2026-10-30T08:28:55ZWhy traffic signals sometimes miss bicycles
Many intersections use inductive loop sensors, which are wires buried beneath the pavement. These sensors detect vehicles through changes in an electromagnetic field.
However, bicycles can be harder to detect because of their size, materials or position over the sensor. Poorly adjusted equipment may also contribute to the problem. Some intersections use cameras or radar, which can also fail to recognize cyclists.
What California law requires
Under the California Vehicle Code, new traffic signals that respond to vehicles must detect bicycles and motorcycles when feasible. The rule also applies when existing signals have their loop sensors replaced. Both must follow accepted traffic engineering standards.
The law does not require all older signals to be upgraded at once. However, cities and other road agencies must follow these rules when they install qualifying signals or replace their loop sensors.
How to report faulty traffic signals
Some intersections have bicycle symbols showing where you should wait for detection. If there are no markings, stopping over the lines of a visible sensor loop, rather than its center, may help trigger the light. If a signal repeatedly fails to recognize your bicycle, you can report the problem.
In Los Angeles, you can submit a traffic signal maintenance request through the city's 311 service. Useful details include:
The intersection's location
The direction you were traveling
How the signal failed to respond
These details can help maintenance crews locate the affected signal and determine what may be causing the detection problem.
When faulty signals cause bicycle accidents
A faulty traffic signal may put your safety at risk. If one contributed to your bicycle crash, determining responsibility may depend on who created the hazard or whether the agency knew about it. Claims against public agencies also have special rules and deadlines. A bicycle accident attorney can review the evidence and explain your options for seeking compensation.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[How personal injury lawsuits help improve bicycle infrastructure]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517882026-10-23T09:06:28Z2026-10-23T09:06:28ZHolding municipalities accountable
In California, injured cyclists can hold public entities accountable for dangerous conditions on communal property, including:
Unmaintained pavement
Obscured signage
Absent protected bike lanes in high-traffic corridors
For years, many local governments have seen bike lanes and related projects as an optional amenity rather than a safety need. However, large settlements and court rulings can make cities pay for hazards they already knew about. Consequently, doing nothing suddenly costs more than an upgrade.
The financial incentive for safety
Municipalities work within budgets and risk reviews. Sadly, safety upgrades are often delayed until they pose a real risk. Litigation creates a direct financial incentive for cities to do the following:
Installing physical barriers that actually protect cyclists from motor vehicles
By addressing known dangers, cities facing personal injury lawsuits end up building safer streets for everyone.
Lawsuits as advocacy
When accident victims pursue a suit, securing the compensation they need to recover is only one part of their goal. The broader impact is often the remedial measure that follows. In 2017, the $12.5 million settlement following a tragic infant death in a Point Loma crosswalk underscores the high price of municipal inaction.
By holding the City of San Diego accountable for this known hazard, the family’s lawsuit forced the city to make key safety upgrades, including new traffic signals and street improvements. The case is also a reminder that when cities do not prioritize safe street design, lawsuits may be the only way to compel changes that protect vulnerable road users.
Helping prevent future accidents
When you pursue a claim after a bicycle accident injury, you are not just seeking compensation. You are also urging city planners and lawmakers to put human life ahead of faster traffic. A lawyer can help you build a case that leads to road changes and helps prevent the next injury.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Drivers shouldn’t see posted speed limits as targets]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517852026-10-21T22:15:14Z2026-10-21T22:15:14ZSlowing down at times is an obligation
California’s Basic Speed Law says that motorists “may never drive faster than is safe for the current road conditions.” Most drivers slow down in heavy traffic. They realize they cannot safely reach that maximum speed limit without causing an accident. However, there are two things motorists often fail to lower their speed for.
First is people on bicycles. Some drivers feel the bicyclist should move out of their way or not be on the road at all. Second is adverse conditions. These can be weather-related or surface-related.
Example one: A road has just been resurfaced and still has considerable loose gravel. A driver believes they can still drive at the 50 mph limit, not taking into account the effect the loose gravel has on their or others' ability to brake or steer. They also ignore the threat that sending clouds of dust or flying stones toward another road user poses.
Example two: A driver fails to slow down in heavy rain. They send plumes of water up that reduce the vision of others and could knock a bicyclist off. The driver may lose control due to hydroplaning on surface water. They may fail to spot a bicyclist because their wipers cannot cope with the volume of water falling onto the glass or because it’s dark and the wipers are dirty, causing smearing. This leads to exaggerated glare from the lights of passing cars, reducing the driver’s ability to see clearly.
A bicyclist injured by a driver may need legal guidance to make their case for how driving at the speed limit amounted to negligence due to the conditions at the time.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[3 ways drivers can protect bicyclists as the days get shorter]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517722026-10-08T03:28:50Z2026-10-08T03:28:50ZThe hours of darkness are increasing, and those long days of summer are starting to feel like a distant memory. This can make the roads more dangerous for all involved, but especially for anyone riding a bicycle, as they are more vulnerable than other road users.The following tips can help drivers reduce the chance they accidentally injure a bicyclist.
1. Make sure the vehicle’s headlights are working
A lot of drivers are slow to realize that one of their headlights is not working properly and slow to fix it once they do. Driving with a headlight that is not fully operational reduces their ability to see what is ahead of them, including people on bicycles. Regular checks are crucial.
2. Check your windshield washer fluid reservoir and wiper blades
Fall and winter bring increased rainfall. That can make seeing out of a car windshield more challenging, so drivers should ensure their wiper blades are in good condition and their windshield washer fluid reservoir is filled up. The ability to keep the windshield clear and smudge-free reduces the chance they fail to see a bicyclist in front of them.
3. Leave bicyclists more room than usual when it is dark
Many drivers do not leave people on bicycles enough room. It becomes even more important that they do so when it is dark. Even with a good set of lights on their bicycle, the rider will find it harder to see potholes and other hazards they need to avoid. They may only see them relatively late and need to swerve to avoid them. Drivers who pass too close do not allow them to do this safely.Anyone injured by a motorist while riding their bicycle may want to learn how best to seek compensation.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Who pays when a city bus hits a cyclist in California?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517692026-09-30T11:07:39Z2026-09-30T11:07:39ZKnow the rules for government claims
Generally, before you can pursue an injury lawsuit against a public entity, you must first present an administrative claim to the appropriate agency. For claims involving personal injury or property damage, California law generally gives you six months from the date the claim arises to do so. If you miss that deadline, state law provides a limited process for seeking permission to present a late claim in certain circumstances.
A government claim generally must include information such as:
The date, location and circumstances of the crash
A description of your injuries or property damage
The public employee involved, if known
The amount claimed in certain cases
The correct agency depends on which public entity operated the bus, such as LA Metro, SFMTA or OCTA. Missing the deadline can jeopardize your ability to pursue compensation.
What if you share fault for the crash?
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means you may still recover compensation if you share responsibility for a bicycle crash, although your recovery may decrease based on your percentage of fault.
Evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, photos and records from the transit agency may help establish how the collision occurred.
Understand your options after a bus crash
A collision with a public bus can leave you managing injuries while facing deadlines and procedures that do not apply to an ordinary vehicle crash. You do not have to sort through those requirements without guidance. An attorney familiar with bicycle and government claims can help identify the responsible agency, explain the applicable deadlines and address disputes over fault or compensation.
]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[What are your rights after a severe pedestrian accident?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517662026-09-29T14:42:45Z2026-09-29T14:42:45ZKnow what drivers owe you
California drivers must use reasonable care around people walking and riding bicycles. For example, the state's pedestrian right-of-way law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Drivers must also slow down or take other steps when needed to protect a pedestrian.
Bicyclists also have legal rights on California roads. Under state law, people riding bicycles generally have the same rights and duties as drivers.
A driver may cause a serious crash by speeding, driving while distracted or failing to yield. Evidence such as photos, video, witness statements and police reports can help show what happened. Medical records can also connect the crash to the victim's injuries.
Seek fair payment for losses
Severe fractures and organ injuries can lead to surgery, long hospital stays and months of rehabilitation. Some victims may also lose income or struggle to return to the same type of work.
Therefore, a personal injury claim may cover more than the first round of medical bills. California law recognizes economic losses such as medical costs and lost earnings. It also recognizes non-economic harm such as pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
Fair compensation should reflect how the crash has affected the injured person's life. This may include future treatment and reduced earning ability when the evidence supports those losses.
Protect your right to accountability
After a severe pedestrian or bicycle crash, insurance companies may question fault or the full value of the injuries. These disputes can make an already difficult recovery more stressful.
An injury attorney can review the evidence, identify available insurance coverage and explain what compensation may apply. Legal guidance can also help an injured person understand their options and pursue accountability while focusing on medical care and recovery.]]>On Behalf of Cohen Reid LLP<![CDATA[Why can the school run pose a risk to cyclists?]]>https://www.losangelesbicycleattorney.com/?p=517612026-09-24T16:30:37Z2026-09-24T16:30:37ZIf you ride your bicycle to work, you may be on the road at the same time as parents preoccupied with the school run. If you are, it’s important to understand how dangerous that timecan be.You might think that parents who are taking their children to or from school will be motivated to drive extra carefully because they want to ensure no harm comes to their kids. Yet the simple fact is that children themselves can present a big distraction to the parent driving them.
What does distraction by child passengers look like?
If you have kids yourself, you likely have some idea of how demanding of your attention they can be at times. The school run can be a boring time for kids, and it often also involves them being up and out when they’d rather be at home in bed. Thus, they can be more demanding of a parent’s attention than normal. For example:A child might pose their parent numerous questions on the way to school, such as what they’ve packed for lunch, or whether they really have to go to math class. Alternatively, they might remember that they have forgotten something they need for school, and implore their parent to turn back so they can get it.Another thing that could distract a parent is their child’s dress or grooming. A parent might catch a glimpse in the mirror of what their teenage daughter is wearing to school, and a heated discussion about whether it is suitable to go to school like that may ensue. Or maybe they just realize that their young child has spilled some of their breakfast on their clothes, or has not brushed their hair properly.Then there is the whole pressure of getting the kids up in the morning and to school on time. Parents often have to nag their children to hurry up. They may have to remind them to check that they have everything. It can mean that the parent’s head is a little all over the place when they get behind the wheel, so they may not be as focused on the road as they should.If you find yourself in a collision with a parent on the school run, it’s important to remember that however apologetic they are, they may have been distracted by their kids, and that might be why the collision happened. With legal guidance to understand how to build a claim, you can increase your chance of getting any compensation due to you.]]>