Bicycle Accident

With year-round good weather, North Hollywood offers one of the best environments for bicycling. Unfortunately, negligent or reckless drivers often put bicyclists in danger. If you’ve suffered injuries in a crash, a North Hollywood bicycle accident attorney from The Shamsi Law Firm, APC can help you seek compensation and accountability.

Sean Shamsi, a skilled and reputable attorney, can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. He has dedicated his career to helping injury victims pursue financial relief and justice after devastating accidents. Sean provides comprehensive legal advocacy so clients can focus on their recovery. More importantly, he understands that accident victims need someone to be their voice against insurance companies that won’t pay full and fair compensation. With tens of millions of dollars recovered for clients, Sean’s voice has proven to be a powerful one.

If you were hurt in a bicycle accident, you have the right to pursue compensation from the person or parties liable for your injuries. Contact The Shamsi Law Firm, APC for a free initial case evaluation to discuss your legal options with a seasoned North Hollywood bicycle accident lawyer.

What Are the California Bicycle Laws?

California law imposes specific regulations on the operation of bicycles to ensure that cyclists are safe on the roads they share with motorists. Some of the bicycle laws that cyclists and drivers in California should know include:

• A bicyclist has all the rights and must follow all the rules applicable to drivers of motor vehicles, except for those provisions that, by their terms, clearly have no application to bicycles.
• Bicyclists may not ride on a public road while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• A cyclist arrested for riding under the influence may request a breath, blood, or urine test.
• Bikes must have a brake that allows the rider to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
• A bicycle’s handlebars may not rise above the rider’s shoulders.
• Cyclists must ride bikes of an appropriate size that allows the rider to support the bike in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground.
• A bike ridden at night must have a front white light visible from at least 300 feet to the front and sides of the bike, a red rear reflector or light with a built-in reflector visible at least 500 feet to the rear, a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from at least 200 feet, a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of center, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of center.
• Riders traveling less than the normal traffic speed must ride in the designated bike lane if available or as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road, except when passing another bicycle, preparing for a left turn, or avoiding hazards along the right-hand edge.
• Cyclists may not attach themselves or their bicycles to another vehicle.
• A bicycle may only carry a passenger if designed or equipped with a separate seat.
• Riders may not carry items that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
• Motorists may not operate a motor vehicle in a designated bike lane.
• Riders under 18 must wear a bike helmet that meets the standards published by the
• American Society for Testing and Materials or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in North Hollywood

Many bike accidents involve collisions between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, with drivers frequently bearing fault for these collisions. Some of the most common driver-related causes of bicycle accidents in North Hollywood include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Tailgating/following too closely
• Passing too close to a bicycle
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Turning without checking mirrors or signaling
• Opening the door of a street-parked vehicle in front of an oncoming cyclist
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Drowsy/fatigued driving

Other factors contributing to bike accidents include design/manufacturing defects in the bicycle or motor vehicle, poor visibility/low lighting, poor road conditions, and adverse weather.