A good bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles often ends up suing the road as well as the driver. That surprises many injured riders, who assume the case is simply cyclist versus car. In practice, some of the biggest bike verdicts in LA history came from crumbling pavement, debris in the shoulder, and bike lanes that were never built.
Take October 2026. A Los Angeles jury ordered Caltrans to pay $11.5 million to a 69-year-old cyclist whose wheel hit a raised slab of sidewalk on Pacific Coast Highway. Evidence showed the agency had 19 chances to fix it. Cases like that call for a lawyer who understands traffic law and government liability, and who knows how cyclists actually ride. The five picks below bring that mix.
California Bike Law at a Glance
Here are the rules that come up most often after a bike crash in Los Angeles:
- Change lanes to pass: Since January 1, 2023, drivers must move into another lane to pass a cyclist when one is available. If they can’t, the older three-foot minimum still applies.
- Crossing on WALK: Starting in 2024, riders may legally enter an intersection on a pedestrian WALK signal, not only on a green light.
- Helmets: California requires helmets only for riders under 18. An adult without one can still recover damages.
- Shared fault: Under pure comparative negligence, a rider found partly at fault still recovers, minus his or her share.
- Deadlines: Two years for most injury lawsuits, but only six months to file a written claim against a city, county, or Caltrans.
Five LA Bike Crash Attorneys Worth Calling
1. Kramer Trial Lawyers: Daniel Kramer
Gary Dean Swisher was a longshoreman who rode Pacific Coast Highway. In 2021, his bike struck a sidewalk slab lifted nearly six inches, and he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Kramer Trial Lawyers took Caltrans to trial. According to the Daily Journal, the jury awarded $11.5 million in October 2026 after hearing that the state had 19 opportunities to repair the hazard.
Founder Daniel Kramer graduated from Southwestern Law School, where he now teaches as an adjunct professor. He chairs the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s personal injury section and sits on the ABOTA and Consumer Attorneys of California boards. His firm also reports a $12.6 million verdict for an electrician and an $11 million distracted-driving verdict.
- Why riders call: a fresh eight-figure win against Caltrans
- Office: Los Angeles. Confirm the current street address with the firm.
2. ACTS Law: Boris Treyzon
Robert Watts was riding north on PCH in Santa Monica in July 2014 when debris forced him out of the shoulder and into the traffic lane. A passing truck hit him. He suffered a severe brain injury and was left permanently disabled.
Boris Treyzon of Abir Cohen Treyzon Salo (ACTS Law) sued, arguing that the road itself was dangerous. In September 2018, a jury returned a verdict of about $9.2 million. Reports differ slightly: FOX 11 reported $9.2 million against the City of Los Angeles, while other accounts put it at $9.1 million, with the city 60% at fault and Caltrans 40%.
- Why riders call: proven success in a dangerous-road case on PCH
- Offices: 16001 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 200, Encino, CA 91436 (also Playa del Rey and Torrance)
3. Pocrass & De Los Reyes: James Pocrass
Jim Pocrass has long been a familiar name in Southern California cycling circles. He rides himself, and his lawyer profile lists him as a vice president of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. He also served on the advisory boards of Walk ‘n Rollers and the Eastside Riders Bike Club, a South LA club.
He has practiced since the 1970s and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating. Among other results, the firm reports a settlement of more than $2.3 million for an injured cyclist. Pocrass is also a licensed pilot, and the firm handles aviation crashes as well.
- Why riders call: a fellow cyclist with deep advocacy roots
- Office: 1875 Century Park East, Suite 1750, Los Angeles, CA 90067
4. Cohen & Cohen: Josh Cohen
Josh Cohen commutes by bike. He’s spoken to cycling groups about insurance and the law, and he writes for trial-lawyer publications on bike cases. He belongs to the Los Angeles and California bicycle coalitions and the League of American Bicyclists.
Before joining his father, Paul F. Cohen, in practice, he clerked at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office. That government experience helps in cases where a city’s street design is part of the story. Licensed since 2008, he focuses on brain injuries, wrongful death, and bike and motorcycle crashes.
- Why riders call: a bike commuter who knows how the city defends itself
- Office: 4929 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA 90010
5. Bicycle Law: Bob Mionske
Bob Mionske raced for the U.S. at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. After his racing career, he turned to law and built Bicycle Law, a practice devoted entirely to cyclists. He has written widely on riders’ rights, including the book Bicycling and the Law.
The firm is based in San Francisco but represents riders across California, including Los Angeles. Its posted results, which top out around $1.2 million, are smaller than the verdicts above. What it offers is a rare depth of cycling knowledge. It can be a smart first call for a rider who wants an expert opinion before choosing local trial counsel.
- Why riders call: a former Olympic cyclist who practices only bike law
- Office: San Francisco, serving clients statewide, including Los Angeles
LA Voted for Safer Streets. Here’s What It Got.
In March 2024, about 65% of Los Angeles voters approved Measure HLA. It requires the city to add bike lanes, bus lanes, and other safety upgrades whenever it repaves a street on its Mobility Plan.
The results so far are striking. As of early 2026, Streetsblog LA reported only about 300 feet of HLA bike lanes built, on Reseda Boulevard in Tarzana. During the same period, the city completed more than 700 resurfacing projects and treated almost every listed project as exempt. Advocates have sued, and that case was still pending in early 2026. These figures come from a news site that supports the measure, so check for updates.
For injured riders, this isn’t just politics. Some crash claims argue that a street was dangerous by design. A city that repaved a road without the safety upgrades voters required may face hard questions in court, though results depend on the facts and on government immunity rules.
If you’re hit, take these steps:
- Photograph the road surface, lane markings, and any debris, not just the vehicles.
- Keep your bike and helmet unrepaired, since damage helps experts reconstruct the crash.
- Save ride data from Strava, Garmin, or a bike camera before it’s overwritten.
This content is general information, not legal advice. Every bike crash is different, so speak with a licensed California attorney about your situation.
Bike Accident Questions LA Cyclists Ask
Q1. How much space must drivers give cyclists in California?
A: Drivers must change lanes to pass a cyclist when another lane is available. If they can’t, they must leave at least three feet, or slow down and pass safely.
Q2. Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
A: Usually yes. California requires helmets only for riders under 18. An insurer may argue the missing helmet worsened a head injury, which could reduce damages.
Q3. Can I sue the city for a pothole or bad road that caused my bike crash?
A: Possibly. You must file a written government claim within six months and show the agency knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition.
Q4. What if a hit-and-run driver struck me on my bike?
A: Your own auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may pay, even though you were on a bike. Report the crash to police promptly, since insurers often require it.
Q5. How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Los Angeles?
A: Generally two years from the crash. Claims against a city, county, or Caltrans require a written claim within six months, so contact a lawyer quickly.
