Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Most settlements range from $5,000 to $500,000. Catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims can exceed $1 million. Economic damages cover financial losses (medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of repairing or replacing your bike). Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life. What you take home is smaller — legal fees and medical liens are deducted first. For a rough estimate, try our settlement calculator.

State law sets the deadline, which in most states is two or three years from the accident date. New York allows three years, while California and Florida allow two. Claims against a city or state often require a notice of claim within 90–180 days. Our statute of limitations guide lists the rule for each state.

Most bicycle accident lawyers work on contingency. You pay a share of the recovery, and you owe no fee if you lose. The share is usually 33% (no lawsuit) or 40% (with trial). On a $30,000 payout at 33%, the fee is about $10,000. Case expenses and medical liens further reduce what you receive, so ask for a written estimate before you sign. Some firms offer other fee structures.

Liability depends on negligence and state law. Drivers most often cause crashes by failing to yield, speeding, or dooring. Cyclists must follow traffic laws and may share the blame. Witness statements and evidence help establish who is responsible. In no-fault states, such as Florida and New York, personal injury protection (PIP) pays limited benefits regardless of fault. Contact us to assess fault for free, or read our guide for more details.

Top causes of bike accidents include distracted and drunk driving, failure to yield, dooring, and potholes. If a crash results from poor maintenance or missing signage, the government entity responsible for the roadway may be liable. A bicycle accident lawyer identifies every contributing factor and everyone who may share responsibility.

Cyclists have most of the same rights and duties as vehicle drivers. You may ride on public roads and expect drivers to pass safely, but you must signal turns and obey signs and signals. Most states also require drivers to give riders at least three feet of space when passing; Pennsylvania requires four. Check your state’s bicycle laws, and contact BALG if a violation of those rules led to your injuries.

Most claims settle within 6 to 18 months. Complex claims involving catastrophic injuries or contested facts can take two years or more. Starting early helps you meet legal deadlines and keeps the process moving toward a fair result. Contact us for a free evaluation of your timeline.

Most states don’t require adults to wear helmets. However, insurers may argue that not wearing a helmet worsened your injuries and try to reduce your damages under comparative fault rules. Some states limit this “helmet defense”; others allow it. The BALG legal team regularly counters these arguments. Talk to us to understand how helmet use may affect your claim.