Need help from a car vs. bicycle accident lawyer? Speak with a Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group attorney today. We explain your rights in plain English and fight for the full value of your claim.
A car vs. bicycle accident is any crash in which a motor vehicle and a cyclist collide, or a motorist’s action causes a cyclist to fall or make a dangerous maneuver that leads to an injury. These accidents account for most bike-car fatalities nationwide: passenger cars and light trucks are involved in 98% of fatal bicycle crashes. Typical scenarios are:
If you were injured in a bicycle collision with a car, you should get legal guidance right away.
The fault in a bike vs. car crash depends on negligence: who failed to use reasonable care and caused damage to the other party. To determine negligence in bike accidents, investigators use evidence like dashcam footage, phone records, and event data recorder (EDR) information.
Some cases can involve multiple responsible parties. Injured cyclists can even share liability in a bicycle vs. car accident. In such situations, comparative fault rules can reduce the settlement or bar recovery.
Motorists bear fault in the majority of cases due to failure to yield, speeding, or distracted driving. Car driver liability in bicycle accidents is often due to these actions:
According to NHTSA, a single motorist is at fault for the bike crash in 94% of cases. The other 6% involve multiple vehicles — in such situations, there can be many liable drivers.
Riders can also be at fault for the crash in the following scenarios:
Cyclist liability in a car accident can lead to a reduced payout or a denied claim. In most bicyclist fault collisions, riders can still recover some compensation, but they will likely also be responsible for the damages they caused to the other party.
Many collisions involve shared fault, when numerous parties are responsible. If the state applies contributory negligence in bicycle accidents, the party that shares even 1% of the fault will be barred from recovery. Comparative fault is a more forgiving system — damages are reduced by liability percentage or barred if a party exceeds a set threshold (50% in most states).
In a bike crash with shared fault, your compensation depends on state rules and evidence. A lawyer will assess facts and assign liability percentages accordingly, confidently refuting any attempts by other parties’ defenses to shift responsibility.
We offer free consultations with a bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your case. Call (888) 521‑6377 or use our quick form to contact a bike crash attorney at Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group. We respond the same day, explain next steps, and start protecting your claim immediately.
Federal, state, and local traffic codes can determine the bike crash legal rules that apply to your case. Federal bicycle accident laws set general roadway standards and regulate certain types of transportation, such as interstate trucking safety. More specific cycling traffic laws, such as regulations of safe passing, helmet use, sidewalk riding, and lane positioning, differ widely across states, counties, and cities.
Nationwide bicycle laws set the floor for safe roads, but they don’t govern day‑to‑day traffic offenses. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standardizes bicycle signs, lane markings, and signals. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issue safety recommendations on separation, visibility, and speed management.
Federal bike accident rules shape how evidence is evaluated after a crash (e.g., whether markings and warnings met national standards). However, they don’t override state codes on right‑of‑way, passing distances, or helmets — these are the areas of key US bike crash legal differences.
Most cases are regulated by local bike traffic rules, such as state vehicle codes and local ordinances. State bicycle accident laws vary — requirements for safe passing are one of the most prominent examples:
Other areas with critical differences are helmet requirements, riding on the sidewalk, and headphone use.
New York allows cyclists to use the roadway and requires drivers to exercise due care; helmet use is mandatory under age 14. State law prohibits opening a car door into traffic if unsafe and requires the use of bike lanes, where provided, with sensible exceptions. Some counties and cities in the state have local regulations, so to understand which laws apply to your case, contact our New York bike crash attorney.
Pennsylvania bike crash rules include a 4‑foot passing distance and the right to take a lane when it is too narrow to share safely. Sidewalk riding is generally restricted in business districts. Cyclists must use signals before turns or lane changes.
In this state, riders under 18 years old must wear helmets. Cyclists can share the road with cars or use bike lanes, but riding on the sidewalk is regulated locally (by cities and counties). California bike crash rules include the 3‑foot passing law, the prohibition of bike path obstruction, and the requirement to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Florida: 3‑foot minimum when passing; bikes may use the full lane.California: 3‑foot passing law (CVC 21760); drivers must change lanes when safe.
Local bike crash legal rules add details — and complexity — to state codes. Cities may regulate sidewalk riding, bike lane blocking, and conduct in commercial districts. Always review city websites for posted rules and enforcement priorities.
NYC bicycle accident laws reflect Vision Zero priorities: yielding on left turns, daylighting at corners, protected lane networks, and strict dooring enforcement. Helmets are required for riders under 14. The New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) and the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY) define the main New York City bicycle laws.
Los Angeles bicycle accident law follows the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and adds local measures, including an anti‑harassment ordinance protecting cyclists from threats and intimidation. The city emphasizes safe passing and bike lane access as part of its mobility plan.
According to Houston’s cycling rules, it’s not allowed to ride on the sidewalk in the city’s business districts. Cyclists can use roads, but riding on limited-use freeways is prohibited. Riders must use bike lanes when available. The Houston Code of Ordinances (Chapter 45 — Traffic) is the main regulation for cyclists in the city.
Only cyclists under 12 years of age can use sidewalks in Chicago; other riders must use bike lanes when available or move with the flow of traffic on the road. Key Chicago bicycle laws are the Chicago Municipal Code (9-52-010) and the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1502).
Philadelphia bicycle accident law follows Pennsylvania’s 4‑foot passing rule and restricts sidewalk riding in business areas. City ordinances also focus on bike lane access and parking lane encroachments; enforcement targets vehicles blocking bike lanes. In general, it’s recommended that riders consult the Statutes of Pennsylvania, Title 75, Chapter 35, for more information about rules for pedal cyclists.
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 28, indicates that cyclists can ride on both designated lanes and general roadways. When riding on the road, they must stick to the right side, unless there’s an obstacle or they have to make a left turn. Phoenix cycling laws also generally allow riding on sidewalks, except when there’s a sign prohibiting it.
The event venue is very well located and can be easily reached by train, bus, and tram. We encourage our participants to use public transport.
The leading causes of bicycle vs. car accidents include drunk driving, distractions, dooring, speeding, poor visibility, and unsafe passing. Intersections and turning conflicts drive a large share of crashes.
Below is an overview of common reasons for a bike crash with a car:
| Cause | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Drunk driving | Alcohol involvement contributes to 30% of fatal crashes. |
| Dooring | Suddenly opened doors cause between 10% and 20% of bike crashes with cars. Urban curb lanes and parked cars increase the risk. |
| Distracted driving | Phone use correlates with delayed reaction and late braking. As a result, distracted drivers cause 11% of fatal accidents. |
| Speeding | About 10% of collisions with cars happen due to high speeds. |
| Unsafe passing/overtaking | In fatal single-vehicle crashes, cyclists are most often struck by the front of passenger vehicles (82%), while 8% involve right-side impacts. |
| Night visibility | 50% of fatalities occur in the dark, even though fewer people ride at night. |
These patterns help your lawyer focus on lane position, signal timing, sight lines, and driver behavior at the exact location of the crash.
Bicycle vs. car accident injuries often include:
Bike accidents do not always involve cars. Our lawyers handle many crash pairings:
In case of sidewalk or crosswalk conflicts, shared trails, or crowd surges, it might be difficult to determine who was at fault. Our lawyers know how to handle such sensitive cases with two types of vulnerable road users..
Group rides, narrow trails, or path merging often lead to unfortunate bike-on-bike crashes. The laws regulating such situations are complicated, but we have extensive experience resolving them.
Lane sharing disputes and speed differentials should be taken into account. Our attorneys understand the insurance problems and potential legal pitfalls in these cases.
Wide turns, long stopping distances, and large blind spots create severe risk. The legal team at our law firm helps victims untangle the commercial insurance rules and corporate policies, determine all potential negligent parties, and collect the right evidence — such as driver logs — in time.
Each type requires specific expertise. At Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, we’ve handled all of these accident types and more, so we know what to look for to ensure the best outcome for you.
We offer free consultations with a bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your case. Call (888) 521‑6377 or use our quick form to contact a bike crash attorney at Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group. We respond the same day, explain next steps, and start protecting your claim immediately.
Here’s what to do after a bicycle vs. car accident:
The right steps after a bike crash with a car depend on the conditions of the incident. Contact our bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation and learn what the best course of action is in your case!
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. For advice, consult an attorney licensed in your state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Court costs and case expenses may be the client’s responsibility.
Robert Goldwater (11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028) is licensed to practice law in Arizona only. However, he associates with attorneys throughout the country. While our firm maintains joint responsibility, cases may be referred to other attorneys for principal responsibility.
WY disclosure: The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert.
Choosing a lawyer is an important decision. Investigate any lawyer’s credentials and experience independently — do not rely only on advertising or self-descriptions. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. No claim is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is better than that of other lawyers. Free background information is available upon request.
Damages in a bicycle vs. car accident include economic and non‑economic losses, such as:
Your bike crash compensation must cover these aspects, but it also depends on liability, policy limits, and documented losses.
Recent bicycle accident statistics from NHTSA show 1,166 cyclist deaths and an estimated 49,989 injuries in 2023. About 81% of deaths occurred in urban areas; 28% happened at intersections.
More context: 53% of fatalities occurred in the dark; weekday evenings and weekend nights show the highest risk bands. Visit our bicycle accident statistics page for bike crash data from 2025 and city snapshots.
When choosing a bicycle accident lawyer, consider these factors:
The best bike crash attorney for you will be the one who knows your state’s or city’s regulations and works with cases like yours. To make the right decision, talk to the team, ask for case examples, and confirm who will handle your claim day‑to‑day.
Ready to start working on your case? Meet our team during a free case review today!
Our results from bike crash cases span complex bicycle‑car collisions and unsafe‑road claims.
Intensive investigation and video analysis identified the driver and unlocked multiple coverage layers.
We proved dangerous road conditions and municipal notice, securing coverage for surgeries and future care.
Phone records and camera footage confirmed the fault and produced a six‑figure recovery.
Disclaimer: Every case is unique. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results
If you’re a cyclist or motorists who has been in an accident, call today for a free initial consult about your legal claim. We’re here to help with your legal questions. Contact our law firm for coast-to-coast bike accident and personal injury representation.
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