If a driver hit you while you were cycling in Anaheim, the insurance company will likely say the crash was your fault. California law doesn’t let that argument end your case. As an Anaheim bicycle accident lawyer team, Glotzer & Leib LLP fights to hold careless drivers accountable and pursue the full compensation available under the law, even when the other side claims you share the blame.
Our Anaheim office on South Anaheim Boulevard puts us close to the streets, trails, and intersections where these crashes happen. Consultations are free, and we’re available 24/7. Call 747-241-8288 to talk with our team today.
Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, so an injured cyclist can recover damages even if a jury decides the cyclist was mostly at fault. The California Supreme Court adopted this rule in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), and it still governs injury cases across the state.
Here’s how it works. Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, not erased by it. If your damages total $100,000 and a jury finds you 30% responsible, you can still recover $70,000.
That matters because fault is the first thing insurers attack in cyclist cases. They’ll point to a missing light, a rolled stop, or riding outside a bike lane. We investigate those claims, push back on the ones that don’t hold up, and build the evidence showing what the driver did wrong.
Our firm brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case, and our approved promise to clients is simple: “50+ Years of Experience. Millions Recovered.” We don’t hand cyclists off to a call center or treat their claims like paperwork.
When you work with us, you can expect:
Results depend on the facts of each case, and no lawyer can promise an outcome. What we can promise is preparation, honesty about your options, and a team that stays in your corner. Call 747-241-8288 to get started.
Insurers often act as if cyclists have fewer rights than drivers. The Vehicle Code says otherwise, and these rules frequently decide who was at fault.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 21200, a person riding a bicycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as the driver of a vehicle. A driver who turns across your path or runs a signal owes you the same care they’d owe another car.
Vehicle Code Section 21202 asks slower cyclists to ride as close as practicable to the right edge, but it lists exceptions. A rider can move left to pass, prepare for a left turn, avoid debris or parked cars, or ride in a lane too narrow for a car and bike to share safely.
Adjusters sometimes treat any lane position as careless riding. If one of these exceptions applied, your position in the lane was lawful.
Vehicle Code Section 21760 requires drivers passing a cyclist in the same direction to leave at least three feet of space. When a driver can’t give three feet, the law requires slowing down and passing only when it’s safe to do so.
Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires riders under 18 to wear a properly fitted helmet. California has no helmet requirement for adult cyclists, so an adult rider without a helmet still has a claim.
An insurer may argue that a missing helmet made a head injury worse. That’s an argument they have to prove, and it doesn’t touch injuries to your arms, legs, or spine.
Most bike crashes follow a handful of patterns. Recognizing the pattern helps us show exactly where the driver went wrong.
Each of these patterns points to a specific traffic rule the driver broke. We connect that rule to the evidence from your crash so the insurer can’t brush it off as an accident nobody could avoid.
A dooring accident happens when someone opens a car door into a cyclist’s path, and the person who opened the door is usually responsible. Vehicle Code Section 22517 prohibits opening a door on the traffic side unless it’s reasonably safe, and it bars leaving a door open longer than needed to load or unload.
The responsible party can be a parked driver, a passenger, or a rideshare rider stepping out along a busy curb. Each one may be covered by a different insurance policy, and we identify every policy that applies.
Anaheim mixes regional commuters, local riders, and millions of visitors, and that mix creates real risk for people on bikes. We know these roads because we work here.
The Santa Ana River Trail gives riders a car-free path, but crossings and access points bring cyclists back into traffic. Collisions often happen where trail users rejoin surface streets near the river.
In the Anaheim Resort District, drivers unfamiliar with local streets watch their phones and hotel signs instead of the bike lane. Rental cars, shuttles, and rideshare pickups add sudden stops and door openings along Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue.
Around Angel Stadium, the Honda Center, and the Anaheim Convention Center, event traffic floods arterial corridors like State College Boulevard and Katella. Drivers hunting for parking make quick turns across bike lanes, and right-hook crashes follow.
Cyclists absorb the full force of a crash with nothing around them, so even a low-speed impact can cause lasting harm. A car may drive away with a scuffed bumper while the rider leaves in an ambulance.
We regularly see injuries such as:
Low vehicle damage is one of the most common reasons insurers undervalue these claims. We counter that argument with medical records, treating physician opinions, and the physical evidence from your bike and gear.
Bike crashes often come down to the rider’s word against the driver’s. The right evidence breaks that tie, and much of it can disappear within days.
Depending on the crash, we may gather:
Ride data can be especially useful. It can show your speed, route, and exact position at the moment of impact, which often answers the insurer’s claim that you were riding recklessly. In serious cases, we may also work with an accident reconstruction professional to explain how the crash unfolded.
Some bike crashes are caused by the road itself. Potholes, broken pavement, debris left in a bike lane, poorly designed lane transitions, and missing signage can all throw a rider.
When a public entity like the City of Anaheim or the County of Orange is responsible, a much shorter deadline applies. Under Government Code Section 911.2, a claim for personal injury against a public entity must be presented within six months after the injury.
Missing that window can end a valid claim before it starts. If a road defect played any part in your crash, call us right away so we can investigate, document the hazard, and file on time.
Not every crash starts with a driver. A frame that cracks, a fork that fails, brakes that don’t grip, or an e-bike battery that malfunctions can cause a serious fall.
These cases can involve the manufacturer, a parts supplier, or the shop that assembled or repaired the bike. The bike itself is the key evidence, so store it safely and don’t repair, sell, or throw it away until we’ve had it inspected.
For most injury claims against a private driver, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Exceptions can shorten or extend that time, including the six-month government claim deadline covered above and special rules for injured minors.
Evidence also fades long before the deadline does. Traffic camera footage and business security video can be overwritten within days, which is why we move quickly to preserve it.
Every case is different, and the value of yours depends on your injuries, how they affect your life, and the insurance available. Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
When a driver flees or carries too little insurance, your own auto policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply even though you were on a bike. We review every policy in your household so no source of recovery gets missed.
Here are answers to questions Anaheim cyclists often ask after a crash.
A police report isn’t legally required to bring a bike accident claim in California, but it helps. It records the driver’s identity, witness names, and the officer’s observations. If police didn’t respond, we can still build the case through photos, medical records, witnesses, and video.
A hit-and-run doesn’t necessarily end your options in California. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, or a household member’s policy, may cover a cyclist hit by an unidentified driver. We also look for nearby cameras that may identify the vehicle.
Yes. E-bike riders injured by a negligent driver in Anaheim can bring an injury claim, and pure comparative negligence still applies. California classifies e-bikes by type and speed, so the specific rules that governed your ride depend on the bike’s class.
You aren’t required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement. Adjusters often use early statements to argue the cyclist caused the crash or wasn’t badly hurt. It’s usually wise to speak with a lawyer first.
Your first consultation with Glotzer & Leib LLP is free. We’ll explain how our fees work before you decide anything, so you can make an informed choice with no pressure.
Keep them exactly as they are. A cracked helmet, bent frame, or scraped pedal can show the direction and force of the impact. Don’t repair or discard anything until your lawyer has documented it.
You may. California’s Vehicle Code Section 21201 requires a front white light and rear red reflector when riding in the dark, and an insurer will likely use a missing light to argue you share fault. Under pure comparative negligence, that argument can reduce your recovery but won’t erase it, and the driver still had a duty to watch the road.
A parent or guardian usually brings the claim on the child’s behalf. In California, a court must generally approve a settlement for a minor, which protects the child’s recovery. For most claims against private parties, the two-year filing clock is also paused until the child turns 18, although acting early still preserves the best evidence.
You didn’t choose to be hit, and you shouldn’t have to fight the insurance company alone. Glotzer & Leib LLP will investigate your crash, protect your deadlines, and push back when the other side tries to blame you.
We’re available 24/7, and your consultation is free. Call 747-241-8288 today to talk with an Anaheim cyclist injury attorney about your next steps.
GLOTZER & LEIB, LLP 1020 S Anaheim Blvd Ste 208, Anaheim, CA 92805
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
