Ventura Bicycle Accident Lawyers
If a driver hit you on Harbor Boulevard, Ventura Road, Lynn Road, or near the Ojai Valley Trail, California law may allow you to pursue compensation from the party at fault. Under Civil Code (CIV) § 1714, a driver who fails to share the road safely may be liable for injuries caused by that failure. What compensation may be available under California law depends on the facts of your case.
Ventura County includes coastal routes in Ventura and Oxnard, inland corridors in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, and county-maintained roads and trails near Ojai. These different jurisdictions can affect who investigates the bike crash, what evidence matters, and whether a government claim is required. Arash Law’s Ventura bicycle accident lawyers can explain your legal options after a crash anywhere in the county.
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*Reviewed by: Arash Khorsandi, Esq., California State Bar #249405, admitted 2007, last reviewed September 2026*
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Why Bicycle Accident Claims in Ventura Work Differently
In Ventura County, city streets, state highways, county roads, and public paths each fall under different agencies. The location decides who investigates, which report you need, and whether a government claim must come before a lawsuit.
Coastal Routes in Ventura and Oxnard
Ventura County’s coastal bicycle routes include city streets, shared-use paths, and portions of SR-1. North of the City of Ventura, SR-1 branches from US-101 near the State Beaches exit and continues toward communities such as Solimar and Seacliff. Surfers Point and the Ventura waterfront provide separate shared-use coastal routes within the city.
Bicycle crashes on these corridors can involve high-speed traffic, limited shoulder space, merging vehicles, or conflicts at roadway crossings.
Oxnard, also located in coastal Ventura County, currently has bicycle improvements planned on Ventura Road, Wooley Road, Oxnard Boulevard, and Bard Road. The Rice Avenue and Fifth Street project is especially complex because it involves Oxnard, Ventura County, and Caltrans. Identifying the responsible agency matters when roadway design or maintenance may have contributed to a bicycle crash.
The responding agency also depends on the exact location and roadway jurisdiction. A city police department, such as the Ventura Police Department (VPD), typically investigates collisions on city streets, with traffic collision reports available through the City of Ventura public records portal. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) may handle some crashes on state highways. Confirm the responding agency before requesting the collision report.
Harbor Boulevard: Dooring Crashes and Parking Lane Hazards
Harbor Boulevard is a major coastal roadway. Passing through Ventura, Oxnard, and some unincorporated portions of the county, it has some of the most dangerous intersections in Ventura, serving waterfront, commercial, residential, and recreational areas. Portions of the corridor include bicycle facilities and nearby parking, which can create dooring and merging risks for cyclists.
On-street parking along Harbor Boulevard creates a persistent door-zone hazard: a driver or passenger who swings a car door open without checking for cyclists can hit a rider with little or no warning. California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 22517 prohibits opening a vehicle door on the traffic side unless it is reasonably safe and can be done without interfering with moving traffic.
Fault in a dooring crash depends on where exactly the door opened relative to the bike lane, whether the cyclist was using the lane correctly under CVC § 21208, and whether the parked vehicle’s occupant looked before opening the door.
Inland Bicycle Corridors in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Moorpark
Bicycle crashes in Ventura County can also occur far from the coast. Inland cities contain major arterials, shared paths, and roads that intersect state highway facilities. Thousand Oaks has bicycle routes along roads such as Lynn Road, including improvements near the US-101 overcrossing. Portions of that work extend into Caltrans right-of-way.
In Simi Valley, the Arroyo Simi Greenway and roads such as Madera Road and Cochran Street serve local bicycle traffic. Moorpark cyclists also use corridors such as Tierra Rejada Road and routes near SR-118.
These locations illustrate why roadway ownership and maintenance responsibility can vary across Ventura County.
Government-Maintained Routes: Ventura Promenade and the Ojai Valley Trail
Public entities, such as the City or County of Ventura, may maintain public bike routes, including the Ventura Promenade and the Ojai Valley Trail. If a public entity’s road, signage, or maintenance failure contributed to your crash, you may need to file a government claim before suing.
Because the responsible agency varies by route segment, you must present the government claim to the specific public entity where the crash occurred. Ventura bicycle accident lawyers can help you identify the correct agency and procedure for filing a claim.
Where Seriously Injured Ventura Cyclists Receive Trauma Care
Ventura County Medical Center, at 300 Hillmont Avenue in Ventura, is the designated Level II Trauma Center for western Ventura County. Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks serves eastern Ventura County. Which hospital a seriously injured cyclist is taken to can depend on the crash location, injury severity, emergency medical protocols, and available resources.
The fact that the county only has two designated trauma centers matters because it means access to trauma care varies depending on where in Ventura County a bike crash occurs. Some victims may have to travel significant distances to reach the aforementioned medical centers and receive the necessary treatment. The resulting transport and treatment records can become important evidence in a bicycle accident claim. They may document injury severity, emergency interventions, specialist care, and future treatment needs, all of which can affect the damages a claimant seeks.
The Ventura County Superior Court, Civil Division
Serious bicycle injury claims against private defendants in Ventura County are filed in the Ventura County Superior Court, Civil Division. Local court practices and filing requirements here differ from those in Los Angeles County or Santa Barbara County. An attorney familiar with Ventura County Superior Court can navigate those differences from day one.
Who Can File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Ventura?
California law defines who has legal standing to file a claim after a bicycle accident. Not every person connected to a crash qualifies, and the category you fall into determines what you can recover:
They are the primary claimants. If you were hurt in the crash, you file directly for your own losses. A cyclist struck by a car, for example, would file against the driver and, if a highway defect contributed, potentially against a government agency.
If a rider was carrying a passenger (for example, a child on a rear seat), that passenger has an independent claim for their own injuries.
Anyone struck in the same incident may have claims against the at-fault party. Ventura pedestrian accident lawyers handle those parallel claims.
Certain family members and dependents may bring a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 377.60. Eligible claimants can include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, issue of deceased children, certain intestate heirs, and qualifying dependents identified by the statute.
They may bring a survival action under CCP § 377.30 for claims that belonged to the cyclist before death.
After a bicycle accident, they may bring a loss of consortium claim for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy caused by the injuries. If a car door struck a cyclist and left them with permanent limitations, for example, their partner could file an independent consortium claim.
Injuries Ventura Crashes Cause
Injuries after bicycle accidents in Ventura County include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe road rash, broken bones, and internal organ injuries. Riders and pedestrians affected by the crash absorb the full force of the impact without a steel frame, airbags, or seat belts to buffer the collision. As a result, they’re more likely to sustain injuries such as:
Concussions, contusions, and more severe brain injuries can impair memory, concentration, and emotional regulation. Riders with TBI often struggle to return to work or to maintain their prior quality of life.
High-force crashes can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord itself. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or permanent paralysis.
Road rash can tear through multiple skin layers and reach deeper tissue. The scarring that remains may cause chronic pain, permanent disfigurement, and emotional harm.
Wrist, clavicle, rib, pelvis, and leg fractures are common in bicycle crashes. Some require surgical fixation and months of physical therapy.
Impact can injure the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries are not always visible and may not be fully apparent until hours after the crash.
Medical records, imaging studies, therapy notes, work restriction letters, and future care recommendations document the full impact of a claim across all of these injury types. Whether your care involved emergency surgery at a Ventura County hospital, follow-up imaging, or ongoing physical therapy, each record helps establish the full scope of your losses. Thorough documentation is the foundation of any fair compensation claim.
Questions After A Bicycle Accident?
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What Damages Can You Recover from a Bicycle Accident in Ventura?
California law allows bicycle crash victims to seek compensation for both the financial harm and the personal harm caused by the collision. California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) divide recoverable damages into two main categories: economic and non-economic. Other types of damages may be available depending on the facts of your case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are measurable financial losses. They may include:
- Medical Bills: Emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, imaging, physical therapy, prescription medication, and all follow-up care tied directly to the crash. Future medical costs are also recoverable if your injuries require ongoing or long-term treatment.
- Lost Wages: The payments missed while you were unable to work during recovery. If your injuries permanently reduce your earning capacity, you may recover the difference between what you would have earned and what you can earn now.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace damaged property, such as a bicycle, helmet, cycling shoes, cycling computer, lights, and any other gear damaged or destroyed in the crash. Property damage has its own separate filing deadline.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, home-modification costs related to your injury, and similar expenses caused by the crash.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover more personal losses that don’t have a fixed monetary value. Examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain from your injuries and the ongoing discomfort of recovery.
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a recognized psychological condition), and other psychological harm resulting from the crash and its aftermath.
- Disability and Disfigurement: Long-term limitations on movement or daily activities, and visible scarring from road rash, surgery, or degloving injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The loss of your ability to ride, exercise, socialize, or participate in activities you valued before the crash.
Wrongful Death Damages
When a bicycle crash in Ventura County is fatal, eligible family members identified under CCP § 377.60 may seek wrongful death damages under CCP § 377.61. These can include funeral and burial expenses, the financial support the deceased would have provided, and the loss of the deceased’s love, companionship, and guidance.
Loss of Consortium
A spouse or registered domestic partner of a seriously injured bike crash victim may recover for loss of companionship, affection, and support. This is an independent claim, not a subset of the injured victim’s claim.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases where clear and convincing evidence shows that the defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice (CIV § 3294). Whether intoxicated or intentional driving conduct meets that standard depends on the specific facts. No settlement amount is guaranteed. What you can recover depends on the facts and circumstances of your individual case.
Insurance Coverage After a Ventura Bicycle Crash
California is an at-fault state. The driver who caused your crash is liable first under their auto liability coverage. California’s minimum auto liability limits under CVC § 16056 are $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per crash, and $15,000 for property damage. These limits apply to policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2025.
The limits applicable to your claim depend on the policy date. An attorney can confirm which limits apply to your specific situation. Serious bicycle crashes involving surgery, extended hospitalization, or permanent injury frequently produce losses that exceed these minimums by a significant margin.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, other types of coverage may apply:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: You may be able to seek benefits from it if you have it on your own auto policy, even if you weren’t driving at the time of the crash. UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver is uninsured. UIM coverage may provide additional compensation when the at-fault vehicle qualifies as underinsured, subject to the rider’s policy limits and California’s statutory requirements.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): If applicable under your auto policy, MedPay may cover qualifying medical expenses up to the policy limit without requiring proof that another party was at fault.
- Rideshare Coverage Tiers: If the at-fault driver was operating for a rideshare company, the coverage tier depends on the driver’s app status at the time of impact. If the driver was offline, only their personal insurance applies. If the driver had the app on and was waiting for a ride request, a limited rideshare policy applies. Once the driver accepts a ride request and until they drop off a passenger, the company’s full commercial policy may apply.
- Commercial Auto Coverage: This may apply if a delivery van, service vehicle, truck, or other work vehicle caused the accident. Commercial restrictions frequently surpass California’s personal auto minimums. The available amount depends on the vehicle, business, policy, and the driver’s work.
- Umbrella or Excess Coverage: It may apply if you reach the limit of the primary at-fault party’s policy.
Insurers handling bicycle crash claims in Ventura County may dispute claims by arguing:
- Your injuries resulted from a pre-existing condition rather than the crash.
- Your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed, nor did they require the treatments you received for them.
- An early settlement offer is reasonable, even if you don’t yet know the full cost of the care you require.
Cyclists have no protective frame around them. Their injuries are often severe enough to exhaust any single policy limit. Understanding which policies apply and pursuing each one is a core function of Arash Law’s work for bicycle crash clients in Ventura County.
How a Ventura Bicycle Crash Claim Moves from PCH to Ventura County Superior Court
A bicycle accident claim handled by a Ventura injury law firm generally moves through a defined sequence. The process begins the moment you call and runs until your case is resolved, whether through a negotiated settlement or, if necessary, litigation in Ventura County Superior Court:
- Immediate Evidence Preservation: Skid marks, debris patterns, and road surface conditions at crash sites can fade quickly, and camera footage from nearby properties can be overwritten. An attorney can send preservation demands to identified custodians before that evidence disappears.
- Crash Report Request: The firm requests the collision report from the agency that responded to the crash.
- Medical Documentation: The firm gathers and organizes medical records from treating facilities, including the emergency department and any follow-up providers. Expert reviewers assess your injuries and project future care costs where long-term treatment is anticipated.
- Maintenance and Signal Records: Where road conditions or traffic controls may have contributed to the crash, an attorney submits public records requests to the relevant city government’s Public Works Department or Caltrans for maintenance logs, prior complaint files, signal timing records, and work orders. This assistance can be important in bike crash claims arising in specific cities. For example, in Oxnard, even some traffic signals within city limits are owned and operated by Ventura County, including signals at Gonzales Road/Harbor Boulevard and Rice Avenue/Wooley Road. That makes it important to confirm the responsible agency before requesting signal, maintenance, or timing records.
- Demand and Negotiation: A lawyer can submit a written demand package to the at-fault insurer. Arash Law negotiates for a fair settlement based on your proven losses.
- Litigation in Ventura County Superior Court: If the insurer refuses a fair resolution, the firm files a lawsuit in the Ventura County Superior Court Civil Division (Civil: 805-289-8525). The litigation process includes discovery, depositions, and, if needed, a trial.
Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Crash on Ventura Roads?
To recover compensation, you must prove that another party was legally responsible for what happened. California law provides a clear negligence framework and specific vehicle codes that protect people from bicycle accidents.
The Four-Element Negligence Framework
Negligence in California has four elements, each of which you must establish to support a claim per the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) No. 400:
- Duty: The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of ordinary care, or the obligation every person owes to others under CIV § 1714. For example, every driver on Ventura County’s roads must operate their vehicle in a way that does not create an unreasonable risk of harm to cyclists sharing the road.
- Breach: The driver failed to exercise reasonable care. A traffic law violation, such as an unsafe pass or red light violation, may support a negligence claim. It may also create a presumption of negligence when the facts satisfy California’s negligence per se requirements.
- Causation: That breach was a substantial factor in causing your crash and injuries.
- Damages: You suffered real, measurable losses as a result: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic harm.
Comparative Fault: You Can Still Recover Even if You Shared Some Blame
California follows the pure comparative fault rule established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal. 3d 804. Under this rule, sharing fault does not bar your claim. Instead, your percentage of fault reduces your potential recovery.
For example, suppose a jury finds you 25% at fault for a crash because you were biking without a light after dark. You may still recover 75% of your total established damages.
California Vehicle Codes That Protect Ventura Cyclists
The following provisions of the CVC aim to account for the greater vulnerability of cyclists compared with vehicle occupants. Some protect cyclists by keeping them off roadways where vehicles travel at great speeds. Others caution drivers to act with more care when maneuvering around cyclists on shared roads:
- CVC § 21200 gives cyclists all the same rights and duties as vehicle drivers on the road. A driver who fails to yield to a cyclist exercising those rights may be liable.
- CVC § 21760 (the Three-Foot Passing Law) generally requires drivers to leave a minimum of three feet of clearance when overtaking a cyclist. Violations of this law on narrow PCH shoulders or on Harbor Boulevard’s active travel lanes are directly relevant to fault.
- CVC § 21960 allows bicycles on freeways and expressways unless Caltrans or a local authority prohibits bicycle travel on a specific segment of those roadways. In Ventura County, cyclists may ride on conventional highways such as portions of SR-1, but access-controlled freeway segments may prohibit bicycle traffic.
These rules apply across very different riding environments in Ventura County, from Class I paths along the Arroyo Simi Greenway to on-street bicycle lanes on Camarillo corridors such as Las Posas Road and Mission Oaks Boulevard. The roadway type and traffic controls at the crash site can affect how each party’s conduct is evaluated.
In particular, a traffic law violation could support a negligence claim and may affect how fault is divided under California’s comparative fault rules. The specific roadway, traffic conditions, and conduct of each party still matter when assessing liability.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
More than one party may owe you compensation for a bicycle crash in Ventura County:
- The Negligent Driver: The driver who struck you is the primary defendant. A motorist who causes a bicycle crash is subject to the same liability analysis as in any motor vehicle collision.
- Another Cyclist: A rider who passes unsafely, cuts across your path, or rides the wrong way on a shared path can be liable for negligence under Civil Code § 1714. Because most cyclists carry no auto insurance, compensation may come from their homeowners or renters insurance policy, or from your own coverage.
- Manufacturer or Repair Provider: If a defective frame, brake, wheel, or e-bike battery caused the crash, the manufacturer or retailer may be strictly liable under California product liability law. A bike shop that negligently assembled or repaired a critical component may also be liable. Keep the bike in its post-crash condition. It may serve as key evidence that a defective part contributed to the accident.
- An Employer: If the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash, for example, making a delivery, the employer may be liable for the employee’s on-the-job actions under the respondeat superior doctrine.
- Public Entities: Government Code (GOV) § 835 may impose liability when public property was in a dangerous condition that caused the injury, and the claimant meets the statutory requirements. Depending on the theory, the claimant may also need to establish that the agency created the condition or had actual or constructive notice of it. GOV § 830.6 can provide design immunity in qualifying cases. Claims against public entities are subject to separate government-claim requirements and deadlines.
Deadlines That Govern Ventura Bicycle Accident Claims
Missing an applicable deadline can bar your claim. Three separate deadline frameworks govern bicycle accident claims in Ventura County, including the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private defendant.
- Two-Year Personal Injury Deadline (CCP § 335.1): You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent private driver or other private party. Missing this deadline could bar your right to recover damages in court.
- Three-Year Property Damage Deadline (CCP § 338): You have three years from the crash to sue a private defendant for damage to your bicycle, helmet, and gear. If a public entity may be responsible, the six-month government claim deadline under GOV § 911.2 applies instead.
- Six-Month Government Claim Deadline (GOV § 911.2): If a public entity, such as a city government, Caltrans, or Ventura County, may be responsible for your crash, you must file a written claim with that agency before you can sue. You must generally present claims for personal injury, wrongful death, and damage to personal property, including your bicycle and gear, within six months of the crash. The longer one-year window applies only to other claim types, such as damage to real property. Missing the six-month deadline can bar your lawsuit against that entity, and California law only allows late-claim applications in limited circumstances, so contact an attorney as soon as possible.
- Minor Exception: If the victim was under 18, the two-year deadline against private defendants doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday (CCP § 352). The minor exception does not extend the six-month government claim deadline, so if a public entity may be responsible, contact an attorney right away. CCP § 352 does not toll a parent’s separate claim; the parent must file it within 2 years.
Evidence on Ventura County’s streets and coastal corridors disappears fast. Camera systems can overwrite footage quickly, and weather, road sweeping, and normal traffic can erase physical evidence. Calling Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 as soon as possible after your crash gives the firm the best opportunity to preserve what your case depends on.
Results Arash Law Has Recovered in Serious Injury Cases
Arash Law has obtained recoveries in bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian, and other serious injury cases. The results below illustrate how liability disputes, road conditions, insurance coverage, and investigation can affect accident claims.
A pickup truck struck and ran over a 6-year-old boy riding his bicycle across the middle of a street, and he suffered a traumatic brain injury. The defense argued the child was to blame for crossing mid-street. Arash Law kept the focus on the driver’s conduct, and through discovery and deposition, the driver admitted he had been distracted. The case resolved in a $3.5 million settlement.
A motorcyclist hit uneven pavement left during construction work and suffered fractured ribs and head trauma. Both the contractors and the city denied liability until the trial began. The case settled for $1.45 million after the first day of trial.
An uninsured driver struck a pedestrian while the pedestrian was crossing a dangerous intersection. With limited insurance available, Arash Law pursued the city for failing to address the intersection’s known dangers, and its investigation uncovered a history of prior accidents at that location. That evidence supported a $1.75 million recovery for the client.
The case results presented here are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case. Every case is different, and results depend on the unique facts and circumstances involved. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting Arash Law or reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Talk to Arash Law About Your Ventura Bicycle Accident Claim
Arash Law has recovered over $1 billion for clients across California, including those injured in bicycle crashes on Ventura’s coastal corridors and city streets.
If you were hurt on PCH, Ventura Road, Lynn Road, the Arroyo Simi Greenway, or another roadway or bikeway anywhere in Ventura County, Arash Law is ready to review your case at no cost. You owe no attorney’s fees unless Arash Law recovers compensation for you. Contingency fee terms, including how costs and expenses are handled, are set out in a written fee agreement as required by Business and Professions Code § 6147.
Call (888) 488-1391 to request a free case evaluation. Hablamos español.
A free case evaluation costs you nothing and obligates you to nothing. Tell us what happened, and we will explain what your claim may be worth under California law based on the facts of your situation.
Why Ventura Bicycle Accident Victims Choose Arash Law
Arash Law handles bicycle accident claims throughout Ventura County, including coastal routes in Ventura and Oxnard, inland corridors in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, and county-maintained trails near Ojai.
Here is why Ventura bicycle accident victims choose Arash Law when they are ready to hire:
- Ventura County Superior Court Experience: The firm is familiar with the Civil Division’s filing requirements and procedures at the Ventura County Superior Court (Civil: 805-289-8525), where attorneys litigate serious bicycle injury claims against private defendants.
- Correct Agency, Correct Report: Arash Law identifies the responding law enforcement agency and requests the collision report from the correct agency.
- Government Entity Claim Experience: The firm has experience pursuing claims against public entities such as city governments, Caltrans, and Ventura County, under the short pre-suit government claim deadline, helping you file administrative claims correctly and on time.
- Availability: Call (888) 488-1391 anytime to speak with someone about your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Ventura
Can I Still File a Claim if I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet?
Yes. California law does not require adult cyclists to wear a helmet. The state mandate applies only to riders under 18. Local ordinances may vary. Riding without a helmet does not establish fault on your part. If you suffered a head injury, the defense may argue that a helmet would have reduced it. That argument can affect the comparative-fault analysis of head-injury damages. However, it does not bar your claim or eliminate the driver’s liability for causing the crash.
What if the Driver Says I Ran a Red Light?
You may still have a viable case. California apportions fault rather than barring your claim. Your share of fault reduces your recovery but does not eliminate it. If a court determines you were 35% at fault for running a red light, you can still recover 65% of your total damages. A traffic violation changes the recovery math. It does not end your right to pursue compensation.
What if the Police Report Places Fault on Me?
Police reports are not binding as an assessment of fault. Officers who respond to a crash often only have one side of the story, particularly if an ambulance took you away before the officer took a full statement from you. Arash Law uses crash reconstruction experts and physical evidence to challenge incorrect fault conclusions in official reports.
Can I Recover the Cost of My Damaged Bike and Gear?
You may be able to. Property damage is a separate claim under California law with its own deadline. Preserving the bike, helmet, and gear in their post-crash condition gives insurers and experts the best basis for evaluating the severity of the impact. Receipts for any replacements support the quantification of your property damage loss.
Does Comparative Fault Apply on PCH If I Was Riding Without Lights?
Yes. Riding without the required lights at night may result in a percentage of fault in a PCH crash. California’s comparative fault framework means that fault is apportioned: even if a jury finds a rider 30% at fault for a lighting violation, they can still recover 70% of their established damages from the driver who struck them.
What Bicycle Laws Apply to Riders in Ventura?
Several California laws apply to bicycle riders. Violating these rules does not bar a claim, but it can affect how fault is shared. Here are some of the most common:
- Riders must travel in the same direction as traffic (CVC § 21650.1).
- A rider moving slower than traffic must stay as close as practicable to the right edge, or use an available bike lane, except when passing, turning left, or avoiding hazards (CVC §§ 21202, 21208).
- After dark, a bicycle must have a white front light, a red rear reflector or light, and side and pedal reflectors (CVC § 21201).
- Riders may not wear headphones or earplugs covering both ears (CVC § 27400).
- Riders should not ride under the influence (CVC § 21200.5).
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet (CVC § 21212).
Who Should I Call if a Rideshare Driver Hits Me on My Bicycle?
Call Arash Law. Rideshare crashes involve coverage-tier analysis that varies based on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up an accepted passenger, or transporting a passenger. Arash Law’s Ventura car accident lawyers handle the coverage determination and pursue all applicable policies, including the rideshare company’s commercial coverage.
Ready to Move Forward? Arash Law Is Ready for Your Call
Bicycle accident claims in Ventura County can involve specific deadlines, specific agencies, and specific courts, and the relevant evidence can be time-sensitive. Preparing and pursuing a claim can be challenging on your own while you’re healing. That’s where our Ventura bicycle accident lawyers can help.
Arash Law handles every case on a contingency fee basis, with no attorney’s fees unless Arash Law recovers compensation for you. The terms are set out in a written fee agreement as required by Business and Professions Code § 6147. If you are ready to find out what your claim may be worth, call now. Hablamos español.
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