If you were injured while riding your bicycle in San Francisco or the Bay Area, you have legal rights — and you deserve an experienced advocate who will fight to protect them. Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, and when a car, truck, or rideshare vehicle strikes a cyclist, the results can be catastrophic.
The Law Office of John J. Roach represents injured cyclists throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. Attorney John J. Roach has recovered over $25 million for injured clients and fights aggressively against insurance companies for maximum compensation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Why Bicycle Accidents Are So Dangerous in San Francisco
San Francisco’s roads present unique dangers for cyclists — steep hills, dense traffic, aggressive rideshare drivers, poorly maintained bike lanes, and fog-reduced visibility. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, San Francisco consistently ranks among the state’s highest-risk cities for bicycle injuries and fatalities. Nearly 15% of serious collisions in San Francisco involve cyclists.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in San Francisco
- Drivers failing to yield to cyclists at intersections
- Dooring — a driver opens their car door into a cyclist’s path
- Rideshare and delivery drivers making sudden stops or illegal turns
- Distracted or speeding drivers on Market Street, Van Ness, and Geary corridors
- Poor road conditions — potholes, cracked pavement, missing bike lane markings
- Failure to share the road on the Golden Gate Bridge approach and waterfront paths
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Bicycle accident injuries are often severe. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses including emergency care, surgery, and hospitalization, future medical costs including physical therapy and rehabilitation, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and damage to your bicycle and personal property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in a San Francisco bicycle accident?
In most cases, the at-fault driver is liable. However, liability can also extend to rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft if their driver caused the crash, employers if a commercial driver was on the job, the City of San Francisco if dangerous road conditions or defective bike infrastructure contributed, and bicycle or component manufacturers if a product defect caused the crash.
What should I do after a bicycle accident in San Francisco?
Call 911 immediately, seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, document the scene with photos, collect the driver’s insurance and contact information, get witness names and contact details, and contact a San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Claims against government entities — such as the City of San Francisco for dangerous road conditions — have a much shorter deadline of six months. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Can I recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Not wearing a helmet may reduce your recovery slightly, but it does not bar you from filing a claim.
Why Choose John J. Roach?
John J. Roach has over 17 years of trial experience fighting for injury victims in San Francisco and the Bay Area. He has recovered over $25 million for clients, is recognized as a Super Lawyer 2021–2026, is bilingual in English and Spanish, and handles every case personally. No fee unless we win.
Contact a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Call (415) 851-4557 for a free consultation. Available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Related Practice Areas
If you were injured in another type of accident, we can help. John J. Roach also represents clients in Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, and Car Accidents throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.