If you were seriously injured while riding a bicycle in San Francisco or anywhere in California, you need attorneys who understand both the physics of a bike-versus-car collision and the daily realities of sharing the road. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we focus exclusively on serious traffic-accident injuries so you can concentrate on healing while we pursue the full compensation California law allows.
Why Choose Sally Morin Law for Your San Francisco Bicycle Accident Case
We are a five-star rated, all-female California personal injury firm that has represented seriously injured cyclists since 1997. Our practice is limited to cases involving broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery, and other life-changing harm.
Named bicycle results include:
- $500,000 – Negligent right-turn / bike-lane collision in San Francisco.
- $420,000 – Bicycle-versus-bicycle crash in San Francisco.
- $250,000 – Hit-and-run cyclist recovery after our team helped identify the responsible driver.
- Additional six-figure results in Uber, commercial-vehicle, and dooring-related bicycle cases.
Several members of our team are active cyclists who ride San Francisco and Bay Area streets regularly. We know the difference between a protected bike lane, a painted lane, and a sharrow. We understand why a cyclist may lawfully take the full lane, how dooring happens in a split second, and why insurance adjusters so often try to shift blame onto the rider. That lived experience shapes how we investigate, value, and negotiate every bicycle claim.
Fee promise: We work on a pure contingency fee. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also negotiate medical liens downward so more of the recovery stays with you.
Notable California Bicycle Accident Results
$500,000 – San Francisco Bicycle Accident
Settlement for a cyclist injured in a negligent right-turn / bike-lane collision.
$420,000 – Bicycle vs. Bicycle
San Francisco bicycle-versus-bicycle crash settlement.
$250,000 – Hit-and-Run Cyclist
A cyclist was struck and the driver fled. Our team helped locate the responsible party and recovered $250,000.
Additional published results
We have also secured significant recoveries in Uber-versus-cyclist, commercial-vehicle, and dooring cases.
Key California Bicycle Laws That Protect Cyclists
CVC § 21200 – Same rights and duties as motorists
A person riding a bicycle on the roadway has the same rights and duties as the driver of a vehicle. Drivers must treat cyclists accordingly.
CVC § 21202 – Roadway positioning (“take the lane”)
When traveling slower than traffic, cyclists generally ride as close as practicable to the right, but may take the full lane when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, or when the lane is too narrow to share safely.
CVC § 21760 – Three-foot safe-passing law
Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance (or change lanes when safe) when overtaking. Close passes are a frequent cause of serious injury.
No one may open a vehicle door on the side facing traffic without first ensuring it is safe. Dooring remains one of the most common and preventable bicycle injuries in dense cities.
CVC § 21212 – Helmet requirement
Cyclists under 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet. Adult helmet use is not mandated statewide but is strongly recommended.
Additional rules
- Pure comparative negligence applies; you may still recover even if partially at fault.
- SB 1107 (effective January 1, 2025) raised minimum auto liability limits to $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident.
- Local rules matter: sidewalk riding is restricted or prohibited in many San Francisco contexts for riders 13 and older.
We use these statutes, police reports, scene evidence, and, when available, camera footage to counter attempts to shift blame onto the cyclist.
San Francisco & Bay Area Cycling Realities
San Francisco is a high-volume cycling city with a complex mix of protected bike lanes, painted lanes, sharrows, and shared streets. Corridors such as Valencia Street and Market Street carry heavy bicycle traffic and also appear frequently in serious injury reports. The city’s Vision Zero High Injury Network shows that a relatively small percentage of streets account for the majority of severe and fatal traffic injuries—many of those segments are regularly used by cyclists.
Common collision patterns we see include:
- Right-hook and left-cross turns across bike lanes
- Dooring along commercial corridors with high parking turnover
- Drivers entering or blocking bike lanes
- Close passes on narrow or steep streets
- Collisions involving rideshare and delivery vehicles
Bike-lane design varies widely. Protected lanes reduce certain risks but create new conflict points at intersections and driveways. Painted lanes and sharrows offer less separation and require constant negotiation with motor traffic. Our team investigates the specific lane type, signage, sight lines, and traffic patterns at each scene.
Cases arising in San Francisco are typically filed in San Francisco Superior Court. East Bay and Peninsula collisions may be venued in the appropriate county superior court. Many injured cyclists are transported to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital or other regional trauma centers.
How a Bicycle Accident Claim Works & What To Do Now
Immediate steps after a bicycle accident
- Seek medical care immediately—even if you feel “mostly okay.” Adrenaline often masks serious injury.
- Call 911 and obtain a police report.
- Document the scene: photos of your bike, injuries, vehicle, road conditions, bike-lane markings, and any cameras.
- Preserve the bicycle in its post-crash condition; do not repair it until it has been documented.
- Collect witness names and contact information.
- Avoid recorded statements to any insurance company without legal advice.
- Contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer promptly.
What our firm handles
- Scene investigation and evidence preservation (including the bicycle itself)
- Requests for traffic-camera, doorbell, or rideshare footage when relevant
- Full medical documentation and future-care analysis
- Identification of all applicable insurance (driver liability, UM/UIM, umbrella)
- Negotiation of medical liens so you keep more of the recovery
- Litigation when a fair settlement cannot be reached
Insurance companies frequently undervalue cyclist claims or attempt to assign excessive comparative fault. We counter those tactics with clear application of the Vehicle Code, thorough evidence, and realistic valuation of both economic and non-economic damages.
Typical timeline
Some claims resolve within a few months after medical treatment stabilizes. Cases involving disputed liability, significant injuries, or hit-and-run elements often take longer. We keep both the investigation and the insurance claim moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions – California Bicycle Accidents
How much is my San Francisco bicycle accident case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, future care, and the impact on your daily life. We have secured bicycle settlements from policy limits to $500,000 and higher in appropriate cases.
What should I do if I was hit by a car while biking in San Francisco?
Get medical care, document the scene, preserve your bicycle, obtain the police report, and contact a bicycle accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.
Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rules allow recovery reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Do you handle e-bike accidents?
Yes. E-bike cases are increasing and often involve the same core liability and insurance issues as conventional bicycle claims.
What if the driver fled the scene?
You may still recover through uninsured motorist coverage. We also investigate to identify the driver whenever possible.
Is sidewalk riding legal in San Francisco?
For riders 13 and older, sidewalk riding is generally restricted or prohibited under local rules. State law allows local regulation. We analyze the specific location and circumstances.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Most claims must be filed within two years (CCP § 335.1). Early action preserves evidence and protects deadlines.
What is a dooring accident and is the driver responsible?
Dooring occurs when a vehicle occupant opens a door into a cyclist’s path. CVC § 22517 requires the person opening the door to ensure it is safe to do so. Liability frequently rests with that person or the vehicle’s insurer.
What Clients Say
Related Bicycle Resources & Cluster Links
Contact a California Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident—whether in a bike lane, at an intersection, from dooring, or in a hit-and-run—speak with our team. We understand the road from a cyclist’s perspective and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Meet Our Team
Get the settlement you deserve
Since 1997, Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers have helped clients recover compensation for serious injuries from car, motorcycle, scooter accidents, and more. Contact our expert team for help with your California injury case.
Our Location
We serve clients throughout Oakland and the East Bay from our San Francisco headquarters.