Santa Barbara Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Do You Need a Trusted Santa Barbara Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Even the most cautious, law-abiding bicyclist may be unable to avoid the opening of an adjacent car door, an inattentive or intoxicated driver, or a dangerous road condition. When accidents occur, bicycle riders are often thrown from their bikes and require extensive medical care. They often suffer broken bones, head and brain trauma, damage to internal organs, spinal cord injuries, amputation, and wrongful death.

NordstrandBlack PC has represented injured bicycle riders and their families for 30 years, having collected millions of dollars for our clients. For each case that we accept, we will aggressively pursue all avenues to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

Our Santa Barbara bicycle accident lawyers will provide you with personal service and assist you through the legal process.

Why Choose Us Over Other Santa Barbara Bike Accident Lawyers?

Rated 10.0 Superb by Avvo for client satisfaction and legal performance
Awarded AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell based on a peer review rating process
Premium ranking from Lawyer.com for service excellence
Founding attorney Renée Nordstrand-Black received the prestigious Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award
Decades of experience helping Santa Barbara residents recover after serious bicycle injuries
Compassionate, client-focused approach with responsive communication
Thorough case preparation backed by real trial experience
No fee unless we recover compensation for you
Free consultations are available to all prospective clients

What Damages Can You Get for a Bicycle Accident Claim?

Many people underestimate the wide range of damages available after a bicycle crash. Injuries from bike accidents can be catastrophic—broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries—and may require long-term medical care.

California law allows injured bicyclists to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. These may include:

Medical expenses: hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and long-term treatment costs
Loss of income: missed work during recovery, diminished future earning potential
Property damage: replacement or repair of your bicycle and gear
Pain and suffering: both physical pain and emotional trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life: inability to participate in activities you once loved
Disfigurement or permanent disability

Each case is unique. At NordstrandBlack PC, we work with doctors, specialists, and financial experts to build a comprehensive claim that reflects the true cost of your injuries—not just your immediate medical bills, but the ripple effects on your life.

Bike Accident Case Results

$595,000 Settlement at Trial - Bike Accident - Struck by Pick-up Truck
$525,000 Settlement for Policy Limit - Bike/Truck Accident
$499,500 Policy Limit Settlement - Bicycle Accident
$250,000 Policy Limit Settlement - Bicycle Accident
$100,000 Settlement for Policy Limit - Bike/Auto Accident - Hit at Intersection

^{∗ Selected cases listed. Every case is different. Past case results are not a guarantee, and similar results may not be obtained in your case. View more case results here.}

Who Is Liable for a Bike Accident?

Liability ultimately comes down to who was negligent. Driver negligence is a major contributing factor in bicycle-car collisions. For example, if a driver did not check his side mirror and opened a door into your path, you may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the driver. It is the responsibility of drivers to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians, who are more vulnerable to injury. Drivers must be aware of their actions and environment, and act reasonably to ensure riders remain safe on a bike.

Of course, you must also observe the right-of-way laws while riding a bike. You must follow the same laws as motorists and obey traffic signs, ride in the same direction as traffic, and signal when changing lanes or turning. You should be able to use bicycle lanes without vehicles obstructing them or coming dangerously close to you. Since 2013, California has required motor vehicles to maintain a distance of three feet of clearance when passing or driving around bicycles. This safety buffer is vital, and whether drivers ignore it or are ignorant of it, they may receive a traffic ticket and be liable in civil court for a bicyclist’s injuries.

What Should I Do After a Santa Barbara Bike-Car Collision?

After a serious Santa Barbara bicycle accident, you must act immediately to protect your rights. Ask for medical care. Call law enforcement to file an accident report. If you speak with a police officer at the scene, describe what happened accurately, but do not take any blame for what occurred. You may take responsibility for something you later learn happened because of someone else's actions! Follow through on any medical advice or treatment regimen that your physician recommends. If you don't, you make it possible for the insurance companies to argue that your injuries were not related to the accident, are not severe, or that you made your injuries worse by not following medical advice.

Past Client Testimonials

“Relentless in Negotiating an Amazing Policy Limit Settlement” - Ken Rosenfield (5-Star Google Review)

I got in a car accident and hired NordstrandBlack after a few weeks, when the responsible insurance company said I was at fault. Good thing I hired them soon after the accident because Renée and her team did amazing investigation to prove it was the other party’s fault, steered me toward excellent doctors and made sure I got excellent care and treatment, and guided me through the process. When the insurance company made a lowball offer, [my lawyers] were relentless in negotiating an amazing policy limit settlement well beyond my expectations! Don’t waste your time going to anyone you see on TV. NordstrandBlack is awesome!

“Very Happy With Their Work” - Erica Taylor (5-Star Google Review)

I was in my first car accident in 2019, was referred to NordstrandBlack, and was very happy with their work. I've never had to work with a lawyer in these types of cases; they made it seamless and easy to understand. Daniel B. was communicative and made sure I was included along every step of the way when it came to updates regarding my case. I highly recommend them!

“Exceeded Our Expectations” - Steve Staitman (5-Star Google Review)

I am thrilled to recommend Renée Nordstrand. She is an outstanding attorney and she exceeded our expectations.

What If I Hit My Head?

Bicyclists often receive head injuries in accidents, even while wearing a helmet. Oftentimes, signs of serious head injury go unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Head injury can result in impaired vision and hearing, and loss of sense of smell. It may impair cognitive function, cause fatigue, and myriad other symptoms. NordstrandBlack PC has extensive experience assisting accident victims with head injuries. If the bicyclist’s head hit anything, examine the head and helmet. Photograph any bruises, bumps, and other injuries, as well as scrapes to the helmet and pavement or other areas of contact. We will direct you to the specialty doctors and medical providers you need to determine, document, and treat a head injury.

What Should I Do If My Child Was Involved in a Santa Barbara Bike-Car Collision?

When a child is involved in a bicycle accident, make sure he or she receives immediate medical attention. You may feel like you should sign what your own insurance company provides to you, but they may ask you to sign away certain rights. Always have an experienced Santa Barbara child injury lawyer look at documents before signing them, even if they are given to you by someone you believe works in your best interests. When clients call us, we waste no time in beginning our own independent investigation of the collision. We visit the scene, preserve evidence, identify and interview potential witnesses, and work with a variety of experts to determine the cause of the accident. Before settling a claim with an insurance company or responsible party, it is important to know your rights as well as the full extent of your injuries and damages.

If death occurs after a bike accident, it is more important than ever to have an experienced Santa Barbara wrongful death lawyer. No one grieving the loss of a loved one should have to deal with a civil lawsuit alone.

What Should I Do If It Was a Hit-and-Run?

After a motor vehicle/bicycle collision, motorists must remain at the scene and provide necessary assistance and information. Anyone who leaves the scene of a bike accident commits a crime known as hit-and-run. If you can, try to record details about the vehicle, including the make and model, color, and license plate number. Even partial information can help. Provide all of this information to law enforcement, and make sure you remain at the scene to give any other details that may be needed. NordstrandBlack PC can assist you in determining whether you have coverage on your own insurance policy for a hit-and-run claim.

Other Cities We Serve

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in California?

If you have been injured in a bicycle or e-bike accident due to the negligence of another person, you may feel that you should "wait and see" how bad your injury truly is. Bear in mind that the law requires injury victims to pursue legal action sooner rather than later. This requirement is known as the "statute of limitations." If you fail to file your claim within the statute of limitations, you may be barred from ever seeking damages related to the accident, regardless of your claim’s merit. Therefore, consulting with an experienced Santa Barbara bike accident attorney right away is essential for preserving your potential claim.

The Santa Barbara injury lawyers at NordstrandBlack PC have the experience to successfully obtain compensation for your accident-related losses. Contact us today for a free consultation. Do not wait. Give us a call at (805) 962-2022 to discuss your case, talk about your options, and make sure your rights are protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a bike accident in California?

Get medical help, even if you think you're not seriously injured. Document the scene, take photos of your injuries and damaged bike, gather witness information, and avoid speaking to the at-fault party's insurance until you've consulted an attorney.

Can I file a claim if the crash involved a hit-and-run driver?

Yes, you may be able to pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Our team can help determine your legal options.

What if I were partially at fault?

California uses a comparative negligence system. Even if you were partially responsible, you can still recover compensation, though it may be reduced based on your level of fault.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a bicycle accident?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident. If a government entity is involved (e.g., a poorly maintained road), you may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim.

Should I talk to the other party’s insurance company?

Not before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to accept a low settlement or make statements that hurt your case.

What types of bicycle accidents lead to claims in California?

Common cases involve collisions with cars, dooring incidents (when a parked car door is opened into a cyclist’s path), road defects, and unsafe construction zones. Any time another party’s negligence contributed to your injuries, you may have a case.

Will my case go to court?

Most cases in Santa Barbara settle outside of court, but our firm prepares every case for trial in case it’s necessary to fight for full compensation.

How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident attorney?

At NordstrandBlack PC, there are no upfront costs. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.