“I was in a very serious bicycle accident when I went around a blind corner and the road surface was completely gone – just baserock and gravel…” Read More
“The attorneys on our bike case were very attentive and patient…really such a pleasure to work with during one of the most difficult times of our lives…” Read More
“After getting hit by a car while riding my bicycle, I went to Walkup Law upon the recommendation of a friend. I could not have made a better decision…” Read More
“I had a bike collision with a car that resulted in significant injuries, and the driver was at fault they tried to blame me. My experience with Walkup Law…” Read More
Why You Need a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is a leading San Francisco bicycle accident law firm representing injured cyclists and their families. For more than 60 years, our trial attorneys have handled complex personal injury and wrongful death cases across the Bay Area, including serious bicycle accident claims involving negligent drivers, unsafe road conditions, and defective products.
When you’ve been injured in a bike crash, a specialized bicycle accident attorney can guide you through the maze of legal issues and improve the likelihood of a positive outcome in your claim process or litigation.
The process of determining fault in a bicycle accident is complex. An experienced bike accident law firm brings important knowledge about the law, the physics and reconstruction of bicycle accident collisions, understanding crash sites, and evaluating the liability facts of an accident.
Walkup Personal Injury Law has a proven track record of obtaining justice and fair compensation for injured cyclists.
Our team knows the importance of prompt investigation, collection of evidence, proving injuries and damages, negotiating with insurance companies, and advocating for clients. With over 60 years of experience representing bike collision victims, our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
If you have been injured in a San Francisco bicycle accident, early legal representation matters. Working with the Walkup Law personal injury team means you have a bicycle injury team with a proven track record of success.
San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Experienced Legal Representation for Injured Cyclists in California
San Francisco is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in California. Thousands of cyclists commute daily through Market Street, the Embarcadero, Golden Gate Park, and neighborhoods throughout the city. But even with dedicated bike lanes and safety initiatives, serious bicycle accidents remain common.
Riding a bike is a wonderful way to get around. It’s highly enjoyable, excellent exercise, and good for the environment. Whether you cycle on your commute to work or for leisure on the weekends, the Bay Area provides stunning natural scenery and bike-friendly infrastructure.
California is home to over 25% of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation. Bay Area bicycle ridership has increased dramatically over the last few years. But despite regional initiatives to increase safety, bicycle accidents are still a common occurrence.
In 2023, there were 376 bicycle crashes in San Francisco involving personal injury. Forty-three of those resulted in severe injury.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in San Francisco
Even when wearing a helmet and proper safety gear, bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable in an accident. In a collision involving a motor vehicle, a properly helmeted cyclist can still sustain major, life-threatening injuries.
Leading causes of bike accidents in San Francisco include:
- Inattentive and distracted motor vehicle drivers
- Drivers who are texting, looking at a screen or device, eating, or reading maps
- Unsafe roadway sight distances
- Poor road conditions (improper maintenance, surface defects, or unevenness)
In some bicycle injury cases, liability may extend beyond the driver to an employer, vehicle owner, public agency, or product manufacturer. Experienced San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers evaluate every possible source of recovery.
CA Bike Injury FAQS
What are the Leading Causes of Bicycle Traffic Accidents in San Francisco?
Some of the most frequent causes of bicycle traffic accidents include:
- Motorists speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Drivers making illegal U-turns
- Failing to give cyclists enough space or entering bike lanes
- Cyclists getting “doored” by parked vehicles
- Distracted driving or driving under the influence
What Can I Do if the At-Fault Party in My San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lacks Enough Insurance?
If you’re involved in a bicycle accident and the at-fault party has little or no insurance, there are several ways to seek compensation. Multiple insurance policies can come into play, including:
- The driver’s personal auto insurance
- Insurance covering the vehicle itself
- An employer’s commercial policy if the driver was working
Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage under your own auto policy may also apply. In California, this coverage can protect you even if you are injured while riding a bicycle or walking.
In some cases, the vehicle owner or employer may be legally responsible. A thorough investigation is required to identify all potential sources of compensation.
Before signing any release or speaking with an insurance adjuster, consult experienced bicycle accident attorneys. Early missteps can limit your recovery.
It’s crucial to consult an experienced bicycle accident lawyer early on to navigate these options.
The first step is to check if you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage under your auto insurance, which includes Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This can protect you even if you’re injured as a bicyclist or pedestrian by a negligent driver, without requiring a direct collision.
Additionally, if the driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer’s insurance could provide compensation. It’s also important to investigate whether the driver or vehicle owner has significant personal assets that could be pursued.
Do not sign any release forms or agreements offered by insurance companies before consulting a personal injury attorney, as doing so could waive your right to pursue claims against the driver, vehicle owner, or employer.
What Should I Do if I'm Injured by a Hit-and-Run Driver While Cycling in San Francisco?
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents are unfortunately common. If a driver leaves the scene, report the crash to the police immediately. Share any details you or witnesses can recall, including a vehicle description, direction of travel, and the license plate number if available.
Next, contact experienced San Francisco bicycle accident attorneys as soon as possible. Early legal involvement helps protect your rights and preserve evidence.
If you have a plate number but the police are unable to locate the driver or vehicle, your auto insurer may be able to use internal databases to identify the vehicle owner and any available insurance coverage.
If you lack sufficient information and the driver isn’t found, you may still be able to pursue compensation through a claim under the uninsured motorist (UM) coverage of your auto insurance policy. This coverage applies even if you were injured while cycling, walking, or engaging in other activities, as long as a motorist caused the injury, physical contact was made with you, and the matter was reported to the police.
Act quickly. In California, UM policies often require reporting the incident to the police.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries, consult an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What to Avoid After a Bicycle Traffic Accident in San Francisco
Bicyclists are often wrongly blamed for accidents by motorists and sometimes even police, making it crucial to avoid common mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Leaving the scene without getting the motorist’s name, driver’s license, vehicle, and insurance information
- Failing to collect the names and contact details of witnesses, which are essential for your case
- Giving a recorded statement or your Social Security number to an insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver — these details are not required
- Leaving the scene without taking pictures of the accident scene
- Repairing your bike before finding out if your lawyer needs a survey of the bike damage to reconstruct the accident
What Are My Rights as a Bicyclist on the Road in San Francisco?
Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. It’s essential for anyone riding a bicycle in California to adhere to the same traffic laws as drivers.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for a San Francisco Bicycle Injury Claim?
In California, an adult has two years from the date of a bicycle accident to file a lawsuit. If the injured bicyclist is a minor, the two-year period does not start until they turn eighteen, allowing them to file a claim at any time before their 20th birthday.
What Is My San Francisco Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on a range of factors. These include how your injury affects your daily life, the level of pain you experience, your activity level before the injury, what you have lost as a result of your injury, and what medical treatment is required.
Additional factors include the amount of your past and future medical expenses and your lost wages and earnings. Also considered are whether your injuries resulted in permanent impairment, disfigurement, or disability, and the physical and emotional suffering you endured due to your injuries.
Client Testimonials
"Khaldoun Baghdadi and Sara Peters represented my husband in a bicycle accident... Khaldoun and Sara took the time we needed to explain the process, set our expectations and outline very clearly what was expected of us. They kept us informed throughout the process and ultimately were able to negotiate a settlement we were happy with. I am grateful that a friend recommended them to us and it was such a relief to know we were being represented by people we could trust."
"After getting hit by a car while riding my bicycle, I went to Spencer Pahlke at Walkup upon the recommendation of a friend. I could not have made a better decision. Spencer was incredibly caring, considerate, and professional from the moment we first sat down in our initial meeting. His intelligence and incredible knowledge was obvious from the get-go, and I felt completely comfortable trusting him to make decisions in my best interest..."
"I feel very fortunate to have had Walkup Melodia represent me in a personal injury case. Everyone was empathetic of my situation and responded promptly and professionally. They were successful in recovering an appropriate settlement and negotiating the lien claim. The attorney was straight forward but kind and thorough and very generous negotiating my legal fees. I feel I got the best representation possible in my case.”
"The Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger offices have been nothing but kind and professional in dealing with my case. They were always available to answer any questions I had and provided me with reasonable explanations that helped me understand what was happening with the case. We reached a settlement I was satisfied with and I believe having this office on my side definitely worked to my benefit..."
Jeff Clause did amazing work handling my personal injury case. I was hit by a car while cycling and sustained multi-ligament injury in my knee... He kept me informed at each step along the process and was efficient in getting things done. I'm glad to have chosen Walkup, so I could focus on learning to walk again, pursuing my graduate degree, and getting back to life as it was. I can't thank Jeff and his team at Walkup enough.
I was involved in a serious cycling accident that involved a 2-week hospital stay and permanent injuries. I researched a number of personal injury law firms and ultimately selected Walkup because they were well-resourced and trustworthy. Spencer and his team exceeded my expectations... Throughout the process they were communicative and great to work with. I would highly recommend Spencer and his team and will always appreciate them for their hard work.
8 Reasons to Choose Us
Over the past decade, 98% of our clients have recovered compensation for their pain, suffering, and financial losses. That success includes a strong record of representing injured cyclists in bicycle–vehicle collisions, hit-and-run crashes, dangerous roadway cases, and other bike-related injuries. We also bring that same proven advocacy to complex matters involving serious personal injury, catastrophic harm, and wrongful death.
We Get Results. For decades, we have recovered more than $1 billion for clients harmed by the wrongful conduct of others. Our proven track record reflects our ability to succeed across a wide range of serious and complex injury cases.
We work on a 100% contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. There are no retainers or out-of-pocket costs for investigations, filings, or expert reviews. We advance all case expenses and are only paid if we secure a recovery for you. No recovery. No fee.
Since 1959, we have stood up to insurance companies on behalf of injured clients. Auto, homeowners, property, medical, casualty, excess, umbrella, specialty, and government insurers know we are prepared to fight for full and fair compensation. Insurance companies protect their profits—we protect our clients’ rights.
Our reviews consistently highlight our professionalism and the genuine care we show our clients. We treat every client as a person—not a case file. Read client testimonials here.
Our firm has earned national and local recognition for excellence. We have been named among the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News, and every one of our partners has been selected by Best Lawyers. All Walkup attorneys hold the highest possible ratings for professionalism and ethics from Martindale-Hubbell. Ten of our lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers, six have been nominated for San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year—one on four separate occasions—and one attorney was named 2015 San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year by U.S. News Best Lawyers. Our trial lawyers are also frequently honored by local and state bar associations, national legal honor societies, and professional organizations.
Unlike most law firms, we have a full-time physician–attorney on staff, with a second doctor-lawyer available for consultation as needed. Their medical and legal expertise supports case evaluation, expert selection, and medical malpractice screening, helping us fully understand our clients’ injuries and present the strongest possible medical evidence at deposition and trial.
While many cases resolve through settlement, some must be taken to trial to obtain full and fair value. Insurance companies and large corporations do not pay maximum compensation unless they know your lawyers are prepared—and able—to win in court. Trial experience creates leverage. We have it. Our attorneys are recognized trial lawyers, and judges and defense counsel know we are willing to take cases all the way to verdict.
Your Lawyer Must Know the Applicable Law
Our lawyers make sure that all pertinent laws are accurately applied in your case. We have resolved hundreds of bike injury cases in California and know how to investigate, gather critical evidence, and build strong cases for our clients.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies typically look to minimize payouts and shift blame onto injured cyclists. The attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger handle communications with opposing insurers. We know how to negotiate.
We present evidence of liability and damages and prepare each case as though it will be tried before a jury. That preparation strengthens settlement negotiations and protects our clients’ rights.
With the team at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, you have a lawyer who understands how to negotiate with insurance companies so that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Maximizing Compensation for Victims
Our team maximizes your monetary recovery. We explore every avenue of compensation and make sure that all potential damages—pain, suffering, disability, medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, and rehabilitation costs—are considered.
Negligent Motor Vehicle Drivers
Our team maximizes your monetary recovery. We explore every avenue of compensation and make sure that all potential damages—pain, suffering, disability, medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, and rehabilitation costs—are considered.
Road Conditions and Hazards
Unsafe road conditions and unexpected hazards like potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces can all cause cyclists to lose control and suffer serious injuries. Cyclists should report dangerous road surface conditions to the appropriate government agencies to mitigate risks.
"By far the most genuine and supportive law firm that I’ve encountered. I can truly say they are the BEST and highly recommend them. They care about you not only as a client but as a person and make this hard process feel less stressful..."
Google Review
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
Contact the police and seek medical attention immediately. Prompt injury treatment is crucial for both physical and emotional well-being. Hiring a specialized bicycle accident attorney will provide important guidance.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health and safety are the first concerns after an accident. Move to a safe location and seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, there may be developing complications that require professional evaluation.
Photograph the Scene and Gather Evidence
Collect photos and witness contact information. Take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Witness statements provide important evidence that strengthens your claim.
Contact a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Promptly obtaining legal help is critical to identifying the responsible party and building a case for compensation. Any delay can result in lost evidence and faded memories, negatively impacting your case.
The skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger understand the steps necessary to successfully prosecute bike accidents and their impact on all aspects of the victim’s life—physical, psychological, and financial. We are dedicated to helping you secure the justice and compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on recovery and moving forward with your life.