TL;DR: California does not publish a total for every bicycle accident. In 2024, CDPH EpiCenter recorded 43,905 emergency visits, 5,332 hospitalizations, and 249 bicycle-related deaths. The California OTS and SafeTREC separately reported 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Finally, SWITRS data also shows an average of 9,319.2 bicyclist fatalities and injuries (all levels) between 2021 and 2025. These death and injury totals differ because these sources study different years and use different definitions and data systems.
No single authoritative source provides an annual count of all bicycle accidents in California. Instead, existing state data shows tens of thousands of bicycle-related injuries each year. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) tracks medical outcomes. Meanwhile, traffic agencies track reported collisions, injuries, and fatalities involving bicyclists only.
In 2024, the CDPH EpiCenter recorded 43,905 emergency visits, 5,332 hospitalizations, and 249 deaths related to bicycles in California. The state’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) recorded 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. The California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) also shows that there were an average of 9,319.2 bicyclist fatalities and injuries of all levels for the years 2021 to 2025.
These death and injury totals differ because EpiCenter covers a broader range of bicycle-related deaths. Meanwhile, the OTS, SafeTREC, and SWITRS solely focus on bicyclist fatalities and injuries resulting from reported motor vehicle traffic crashes. They do not provide counts of all bicycle accidents, including those not reported to the police or those that injure or kill other road users.
Data Note: EpiCenter, OTS, SafeTREC, and SWITRS figures are not directly comparable because they cover different years and use different data sources and definitions. EpiCenter tracks broader pedal-cyclist deaths in 2024. The OTS and SafeTREC report bicyclists killed specifically in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Finally, SWITRS data only shows the number of injuries and fatalities among bicyclists involved in accidents between 2021 and 2025. SWITRS figures for 2024 and 2025 are provisional and subject to change. This page will be updated accordingly.
Key Facts About California Bicycle Accidents
- 2024 injury outcomes. The CDPH EpiCenter recorded 43,905 emergency visits, 5,332 hospitalizations, and 249 deaths under selected unintentional pedal-cyclist categories.
- Traffic fatalities and injuries. The OTS and SafeTREC reported 145 bicyclists killed in California motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Meanwhile, SWITRS data reveals an average of 9,319.2 bicyclist fatalities and injuries for 2021 to 2025.
- Different death and injury totals. The CDPH EpiCenter uses broader pedal-cyclist categories for its death totals than those used for motor vehicle traffic deaths reported by the OTS, SafeTREC, and SWITRS. These databases also cover different years and focus on fatalities and injuries among cyclists, rather than the total number of bicycle accidents in California.
- Leading crash factors. SafeTREC reported unsafe speed, automobile right-of-way violations, and improper turning as the top three contributing factors to bicycle accidents in 2023.
- Private-party deadlines. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1 generally allows two years for personal injury lawsuits and three years for property damage cases.
- Government claims. Government Code (GOV) § 911.2 generally requires claims against a public entity to be presented within six months.
Table of Contents
California State Bar #249405
Admitted 2007
California Personal Injury Attorney
- September 2026
California Bicycle Accident Statistics
California records thousands of bicycle-related injuries each year. CDPH EpiCenter tracks bicycle injuries that result in emergency treatment, hospitalization, or death.
The most recent available EpiCenter data reveal the following bicycle injury-related statistics for the years 2020 to 2024:
| Year | Deaths | Emergency Department Visits | Hospitalizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 249 | 43,905 | 5,332 |
| 2023 | 189 | 40,892 | 4,772 |
| 2022 | 248 | 39,328 | 4,736 |
| 2021 | 191 | 41,074 | 4,743 |
| 2020 | 183 | 44,169 | 5,337 |
These figures measure bicycle-related injury outcomes, not the total number of bicycle crashes in California. Some crashes do not result in emergency treatment or hospitalization.
Traffic safety data provides another measure of bicycle deaths. OTS and SafeTREC reported 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in California in 2023. Bicyclists accounted for 3.6% of California motor vehicle traffic deaths that same year.
SWITRS data provides the bigger picture of bicyclist safety from 2021 to 2025. UC Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System’s (TIMS) SWITRS Summary tool shows that California sees roughly 9,000 bicyclist injuries (of any severity) and fatalities each year. This is a five-year average based on these numbers:
- 2021: 7,766
- 2022: 8,946
- 2023: 9,050
- 2024: 10,358
- 2025: 10,476
These figures from the CDPH, OTS, SafeTREC, and SWITRS do not actually show how many bicycle accidents happen in the state per year. However, they clearly reveal that thousands of bicyclists alone are injured or killed in California each year. Actual crash numbers may be significantly higher because these statistics do not account for unreported crashes and bicycle-related accidents that injure other road users. That means bicycle safety remains a major concern across the state.
Causes of Cyclist Injuries and Fatalities in California
Many bicycle accidents occur when drivers and cyclists share the same roadway space. Intersections, turning lanes, and busy streets often create situations where vehicles and bicycles cross paths.
According to UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research & Education Center (SafeTREC), the leading contributing factors in California fatal and serious injury bicycle crashes in 2023 were:
- Unsafe speed (16.5%).
- Automobile right-of-way (16.3%).
- Improper turning (15.0%).
- Traffic signals and signs (13.8%).
- Wrong side of the road (13.6%).
These percentages come from provisional SWITRS data. They describe the primary factor recorded for the crash. They do not show whether a driver or a cyclist caused every collision.
SafeTREC also reported the most common crash types in California fatal and serious-injury bicycle crashes in 2023:
- Broadside crashes accounted for 34.9% of bicycle FSI crashes.
- Rear-end crashes accounted for 10.3%.
- Head-on crashes accounted for 8.6%.
- Sideswipe crashes accounted for 8.6%.
- Other crash types accounted for 22.6%.
Broadside crashes were the most common type. They comprised more than one-third of California bicycle FSI crashes in 2023.
The state also has bicycle-specific traffic rules that may contribute to accidents when violated:
- California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 21760 generally requires drivers to leave at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicycle if sufficient space is available.
- CVC § 21209 limits when drivers can operate in marked bicycle lanes.
Where and When Do Serious Bicycle Crashes Happen in California?
Most fatal bicycle crashes in California occur in urban areas. That’s made apparent by SWITRS data, which shows that these were the top five cities and counties for bicyclist fatalities and injuries of all levels between 2021 and 2025:
| Rank | Top 5 Cities | Top 5 Counties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 2 | San Francisco | Orange |
| 3 | San Diego | San Diego |
| 4 | San Jose | Santa Clara |
| 5 | Sacramento | Alameda |
Similarly, SafeTREC found that 90% of fatal bicycle crashes occurred on urban roads in 2023. Road type also showed a clear pattern:
- Principal arterials were the location of 35% of fatal bicycle crashes.
- Minor arterials accounted for 34%.
- Major collectors accounted for 13%.
- Other road types accounted for the remaining 18%.
Serious crashes also vary by time of day.
In 2023, 46% of serious injury bicycle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. had the highest number of serious injury bicycle crashes.
What Injuries Can Result From A Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle crashes can cause injuries ranging from cuts and sprains to injuries requiring surgery or long-term treatment. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal injuries.
- Joint and ligament damage.
- Road rash and other skin injuries.
- Facial and dental injuries.
These injuries can be particularly severe because many individuals involved in bike accidents lack physical protection during impact. These victims are more likely to require extensive treatment and months off work to recover. That means these injuries can result in significant losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. They can also impact you personally, such as by worsening your mental health or affecting your relationship with a spouse.
What to Do If You Are Injured in a California Bicycle Crash
After a bicycle accident, focus on medical care and preserving evidence. If someone else caused the crash, you may be able to pursue compensation for those losses through an insurance claim. However, you need proof that their actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.
That said, consider these steps:
- Get medical care. Seek emergency treatment when needed and attend follow-up appointments. Medical records help document the injury, treatment, symptoms, and recovery. They can also help connect treatment to the date of the bicycle crash.
- Report the collision. Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and request the report when available.
- Document the scene. Photograph vehicles, the bicycle, road markings, signs, damage, and surrounding conditions.
- Get witness information. Record names and contact details from people who saw the crash.
- Preserve your bicycle and gear. Avoid repairing or throwing away damaged items before the claim is reviewed.
- Save your records. Keep medical bills, wage records, receipts, photographs, and insurance letters.
- Request the available video quickly. Businesses, homes, buses, or traffic systems may have useful recordings.
Evidence can change quickly after a crash. Surveillance footage may be deleted, and roadway conditions may be repaired or altered. As such, early documentation is crucial, which is why you need a bicycle accident lawyer to help you gather key evidence that can help support your claim.
What Compensation Can Bicycle Accident Victims Recover?
A bicycle accident claim may include compensation for financial losses, personal harm, or losses caused by a cyclist’s death. The damages available in any bicycle accident case depend on the injuries, evidence, responsible parties, insurance coverage, and applicable law.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. They may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation.
- Future medical costs for treatment related to lasting injuries.
- Lost wages for income missed during recovery.
- Lost earning capacity when injuries reduce future earning ability.
- Property damage to the bicycle, helmet, phone, or other equipment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover losses that do not have a fixed dollar amount. They may include:
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress due to the crash.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if you can no longer enjoy the same activities as you did before the accident.
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement, especially if they have lasting effects on your ability to socialize and build a career, among other things.
California generally does not cap non-economic damages in standard bicycle accident claims.
Wrongful Death Damages
Eligible family members may seek wrongful death damages when a bicycle accident causes a death.
Under CCP § 377.61, recoverable losses may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Financial support the deceased would likely have provided.
- Loss of household services.
- Loss of gifts or benefits the family expected to receive.
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support.
Wrongful death damages compensate surviving family members for their own losses. They are different from damages belonging to the deceased person’s estate.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases involving more than ordinary negligence. There must be clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault party acted with oppression, fraud, or malice (Civil Code § 3294). Malice can include conduct showing a willful and conscious disregard for another person’s safety.
Punitive damages are meant to punish wrongful conduct rather than compensate the injured person for a specific loss. They are generally unavailable against a California government entity, such as a city or county (GOV § 818). Punitive damages are also generally not part of a standard wrongful death claim. A separate survival claim may allow them in some cases.
What Are the Filing Deadlines After a California Bicycle Accident?
There’s technically no standardized deadline for filing an insurance claim for a bicycle accident. However, there are limits to how long you have to take legal action for a crash, such as for filing a lawsuit when insurance settlement negotiations fail.
CCP § 335.1 generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private party. The two-year rule also generally applies to wrongful death lawsuits. The deadline usually begins on the date of death.
CCP § 338 generally provides a three-year statute of limitations for damages to personal property. A damaged bicycle, helmet, phone, or other equipment can fall within this rule. A much shorter process usually applies when a public entity may share responsibility.
GOV § 911.2 generally requires an injury or property claim against a public entity to be presented within six months. The starting date usually follows when the legal claim began. That date is often the crash date, but exceptions can change it. A city, county, or state agency generally has 45 days to act after receiving a claim. If the agency does not act within that period, the law generally treats the claim as rejected, and different deadlines for filing lawsuits may apply (GOV §945.6):
- When the agency issues a proper written rejection notice, a lawsuit generally must be filed within six months of that notice.
- If the agency does not send the required written notice, you generally have two years from the claim’s legal starting date to sue.
Some exceptions may change the above deadlines:
- California provides a possible late-claim process for government claims, but strict limits apply. GOV § 911.4 permits an application for permission to present a late claim in certain circumstances. The application must be filed within a reasonable time. It generally cannot be filed more than one year after the claim period began. Approval is not automatic. Additional court procedures may become necessary if the public entity denies the late-claim application.
- California often pauses the normal private-party lawsuit deadline while an injured person is under 18 (CCP § 352). The same rule does not generally pause government claim requirements.
Because several deadlines can run simultaneously and exceptions can change them, each claim should be reviewed separately.
What Can Arash Law Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Arash Law can investigate the crash and handle the legal work needed to pursue a bicycle injury claim. Depending on the case, our bicycle accident lawyers can:
- Obtain police and collision records.
- Review photographs, video, and witness statements.
- Preserve available surveillance footage.
- Inspect the bicycle and other physical evidence.
- Investigate the driver and applicable insurance.
- Identify employers or businesses that may share responsibility.
- Assess whether a government entity is liable and track the deadlines applicable to that claim.
- Request public roadway and maintenance records when relevant.
- Gather medical records and document financial losses.
- Address insurance disputes and settlement negotiations.
- Prepare and file a lawsuit when litigation becomes necessary.
What Arash Law Has Recovered for Injured Cyclists
Arash Law’s attorneys have decades of combined experience handling bicycle accident claims across California. The firm’s case results include a settlement obtained for a six-year-old boy struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle.
Due to the accident, the child suffered a traumatic brain injury. The driver tried to place responsibility on the child for biking across the middle of the street. However, during discovery and deposition, he admitted that he was actually distracted at the time. Arash Law resolved the bicycle accident case for $3.5 million.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case depends on its facts, evidence, insurance coverage, and applicable law.
Arash Law can review the crash, available insurance, and applicable deadlines. We have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across California and pursue the full compensation the law allows based on the facts of each case.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in California
Does California Require Adults to Wear Bicycle Helmets?
California state law generally does not require a standard bicycle helmet for riders age 18 or older. CVC § 21212 requires riders under 18 to wear an approved helmet. Separate rules can apply to certain electric bicycles.
Not wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent an injury claim. Helmet use may be relevant in cases involving a head injury.
Can My Auto Insurance Cover Me While I Am Riding a Bicycle?
It sometimes can. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply when an uninsured or underinsured driver strikes an insured cyclist. Coverage depends on the policy terms and the cyclist’s status under that policy.
A household member’s policy can also provide coverage in some situations. Go over your policy with an insurance agent or attorney before assuming you don’t have coverage.
What If the Driver Leaves After Hitting a Cyclist?
A cyclist should report a hit-and-run crash to law enforcement and their insurer as soon as possible. Photos, witnesses, nearby cameras, vehicle descriptions, and license plate information can help identify the driver.
An uninsured motorist claim may also provide coverage in some hit-and-run cases. To qualify, a cyclist must follow these rules established by Insurance Code § 11580.2:
- Provide proof that the fleeing vehicle made physical contact with the cyclist or their bike.
- Report the accident to law enforcement within 24 hours.
- Submit a sworn statement to their insurer within 30 days.
Can I Have a Claim If the Vehicle Never Touched My Bicycle?
Yes, physical contact is not always required for a negligence claim. For example, a driver could force you off the road by turning or entering a bike lane. However, you would still need evidence showing that the driver’s conduct caused the crash and resulting injuries.
Do Bicycle Accident Lawyers Get Paid Only If They Win?
Yes, if they handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you pay nothing up front. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of what you recover at settlement or at trial. If you do not recover money, you owe no attorneys’ fees.
Before signing with any firm, ask what percentage they charge and whether you remain responsible for litigation costs if the claim does not succeed.
Get Legal Help After a California Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accident claims can involve several sources of evidence, insurance coverage, and different filing deadlines. They’re also more likely to involve serious injuries and losses, as bicycles offer little physical protection in a crash.
Arash Law represents injured cyclists throughout California. Our attorneys investigate fault, document losses, and pursue available compensation under California law so our clients can focus on healing.
If you want to understand your options, contact Arash Law for a free case evaluation from a bicycle accident attorney.
We take every case on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront costs and no attorneys’ fees unless we win. If we take your case, our lawyers are with you from the first call to the final resolution.
Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free case evaluation today.
Arash Law. Make ‘Em Pay, Call AK.
Sources
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), EpiCenter. Unintentional Pedal-Cyclist Deaths.
https://skylab4.cdph.ca.gov/epicenter/_w_9906490c/?Deaths- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), EpiCenter. Unintentional Pedal-Cyclist Emergency Department Visits.
https://skylab4.cdph.ca.gov/epicenter/_w_9906490c/?ED-Visits- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), EpiCenter. Unintentional Pedal-Cyclist Hospitalizations.
https://skylab4.cdph.ca.gov/epicenter/_w_9906490c/?Hospitalizations- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), EpiCenter. About Our Data.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/SACB/Pages/EpiCenter/AboutOurData.aspx- California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.
https://www.ots.ca.gov/grants/pedestrian-and-bicycle-safety/- UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research & Education Center (SafeTREC), 2025 Traffic Safety Facts. Bicycle Safety.
https://safetrec.berkeley.edu/2025-safetrec-traffic-safety-facts-bicycle-safety- UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research & Education Center (SafeTREC), Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), SWITRS Summary. https://tims.berkeley.edu/tools/summary/
- California Legislative Information, Vehicle Code § 21209. Motor vehicle use of bicycle lanes.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21209- California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=335.1- California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure § 338.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=338- California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure § 352.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=352- California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=377.60- California Judicial Council, CACI No. 3921. Wrongful Death Damages.
https://courts.ca.gov/system/files/file/judicial_council_of_california_civil_jury_instructions_2026.pdf- California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure § 377.61. Wrongful death damages.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=377.61- California Legislative Information, Civil Code § 3294. Punitive damages, including oppression, fraud, and malice.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=3294- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 818. Public entities are not liable for punitive damages.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=818- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 911.2.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=911.2- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 911.4.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=911.4- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 912.4.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=912.4- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 913.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=913- California Legislative Information, Government Code § 945.6.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=945.6- California Legislative Information, Vehicle Code § 21212.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21212- California Legislative Information, Vehicle Code § 21760.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21760- California Legislative Information, Insurance Code § 11580.2. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS§ionNum=11580.2
- Arash Law, Case Results.
https://arashlaw.com/case-results/Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading or relying on this content. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, consult a licensed California personal injury attorney about your specific situation. Arash Law: (888) 488-1391.
