--- description: If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact our award-winning Washington D.C. bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation. title: Washington DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Bicycle Injury Attorneys --- Washington DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Bicycle Injury Attorneys # Washington DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer Last Updated: February 17, 2026 Reading Time: 8 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 4 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » Washington DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3.5 Million Bicycle Crash $ 1.8 Millon Bicycle Crash $1.5 Million Bicycle Crash $1 Million Bicycle Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They truly cared about me as a person. Tracy Koretsky Bicycle Accident Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Reckless motorists cause over 90% of bicycle accidents involving vehicles in Washington, DC. Our bicycle accident lawyers have secured millions for cyclists who suffered traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, paralysis, and road rash. With 100+ years of combined experience and deep ties to the DC cycling community, we know how to fight for injured riders. Three of the firm’s attorneys discuss bicycle accident litigation in Washington, DC — including dooring, bike lane violations, and how the District’s Vulnerable User Recovery Act allows cyclists to recover damages even when partially at fault. The firm has secured over $3.5 million for a cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a dooring incident. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Allan Siegel:** Being in the District of Columbia, which is a very bicycle friendly city, we get a lot of bicycle crashes. A lot of clients who are involved in bicycle crashes reach out to us and we’ve been handling them for years. Whether or not it’s somebody driving in a bike lane and somebody makes a turn and infringes upon the bike lane, whether it’s somebody who gets “doored” by another vehicle, in other words, a driver stops and opens his door while the bicyclist is driving with the right of way. That actually is against the law in the District of Columbia. You’re required to look before you open your door or whether or not it’s just a case where a bicycle’s riding on the roadway and with the right of way and a vehicle makes a turn or rear ends them. We get a lot of them, and we’ve been handling them for many, many years and very successfully. **Stephen Ollar:** Really, when you look at the law in DC what we talk about is vulnerable riders. So it’s not just bicyclists, it’s also motorcyclists. It’s people on e-scooters, even pedestrian, all of them who are, anybody who’s not inside a four wheeled vehicle, falls under that kind of category of a vulnerable user. And so the law in that area is consistent across the board. The law now in the District Columbia, is that if you fall into that kind of category, you could be up to 50% at fault and still be able to get a recovery. You can’t be more than 50% at fault, but as long as you’re 50% or less, you’re still eligible to get a recovery. So we do a lot of those cases and providing representation for people over hurt in those categories. **Joseph Cammarata:** So it’s important to reach out to a lawyer that knows what they’re talking about that’s going to be aggressive and going to be able to establish that your fault was slight, if any, and that you have a full opportunity to receive compensation for the harms and losses that you suffered. ## Bicycle Accident Attorney Washington, D.C. **Why You Need a Lawyer if You were in a Bicycle Accident:** Reckless motorists cause over 90% of bicycle accidents involving vehicles, yet insurance companies often blame cyclists to minimize payouts. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. brings 100+ years of experience and $500+ million in verdicts to protect cyclist rights in DC. As proud partners of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the firm advocates for safer roads while securing maximum compensation for injured riders. **Common Causes & Injuries with Bicycle Accidents:** - Driver negligence: distracted/drunk driving, failure to yield, dooring incidents - Road hazards: defective bike lanes, poor visibility, faulty traffic signals - Injuries include traumatic brain injuries (cause of 2/3 bicycle deaths), broken bones, paralysis, severe road rash **Compensation for DC Bicycle Accident Victims:** **Washington DC bicycle accident attorneys** fight for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability compensation. Complex right-of-way laws require experienced legal representation to prove driver negligence. Motor vehicle collisions cause the most severe bicycle injuries and deaths, often resulting in catastrophic damage requiring extensive medical treatment. Free case evaluations determine claim value based on injury severity, recovery time, and impact on quality of life—no upfront fees required. 1.5% of people killed and 2% injured in traffic accidents are bicyclists. In addition, it is estimated that one in 20 bicyclists is injured yearly. Although some bike accidents are the cyclist’s fault, studies estimate that reckless motorists cause over 90% of bicycle accidents. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact an experienced **bicycle accident attorney** as soon as possible. Many people do not realize that they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and settle for far less than they deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we have years of experience helping cyclists get the compensation they need and deserve. We understand the [complex laws](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-bike-laws/) that apply to bicycle accidents and are here to help you get the justice you deserve. ## What to Do After a Bicycle Accident If you are involved in a bicycle accident, there are [a few things you should do](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/what-to-do-after-a-bike-accident-in-washington-dc/) to protect yourself and your legal rights: - Get medical help immediately. Even if you think you are not injured, get checked out by a doctor. Many injuries do not manifest until days after and can sometimes get worse during the weeks after the accident. - Collect evidence at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the accident scene, gather witness contact information, and note any road hazards that may have contributed to the accident. - Contact a **D.C. bicycle accident lawyer**. An experienced lawyer can help you protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. ## Advocating for the Rights of Injured Bicyclists in D.C. Sharing the road is the law in Washington, DC. When a car fails to yield the right-of-way to a bicycle, the [driver can and should be held responsible](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-vulnerable-user-recovery-act-of-2020/) for any injuries that occur. Unfortunately, bicycle accident cases tend to be a bit more complex than the average [car accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/) case, simply because the right-of-way – and who was violating it – is often in question. As a result, insurance companies may refuse to compensate bicycle accident victims by trying to pin some (or all) blame on the cyclist. If you have been seriously injured in a Washington, DC, bicycle accident caused by a reckless driver, our firm is here to help. We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that the facts of your case are accurately represented. We will fight tirelessly to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to. ## Proud Partners of WABA & the Local Cycling Community Our firm is a proud Partner and Legal Resource Member of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). This advocacy organization works to improve safety for bicyclists throughout the D.C. Metro area. Having spent over 50 years representing victims and families in DC, Maryland, and Virginia after preventable bicycle accidents upturned their lives, our firm fully supports efforts to make public roadways safer for everyone. Our partnership with [WABA](https://waba.org/) allows our team to support legislative advocacy efforts, safety awareness campaigns, and community outreach programs. This partnership also allows us to provide our experienced legal counsel to riders and their families who have suffered harm due to the negligence of others in Washington, DC. ## Making Public Roads Safer for Bicyclists in Washington DC As part of our support of WABA and the cycling community, we encourage local bicyclists to do their part in helping compile data that can help further advocacy efforts and make public roads safer. The Bicycle Crash Reporting Form offered by WABA is designed to gather information about bicycle crashes that can aid in protecting the rights of cyclists. Your information is still helpful even if you were not injured in a collision. [Click here](https://waba.org/crashtracker/) to visit the Bicycle Crash Reporting Form. ### Roadway Risks & the Rights of Cyclists It is important to remember that having the right of way does not mean you will not be struck by a vehicle. Being “right” can also mean being killed or permanently injured. Drivers are legally responsible for looking out for bicyclists and respecting their right of way as if they were other motor vehicles. When they fail to do so, a bicyclist is far more likely to be [catastrophically injured](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/catastrophic-injuries/) or killed than another driver or passenger. Reasons why your right-of-way may not always protect you: - [Distracted drivers](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/distracted-driving/) - [Intoxicated drivers](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/drunk-driving-accidents/) - [Defective vehicles](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/personal-injury/personal-injury/product-liability/) (such as brake failure) - Poor visibility due to weather conditions, visual obstructions, or blind spots - [Road conditions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/roadway-defects/) (hydroplaning due to standing water, etc.) - Faulty traffic lights - Improperly marked roads and bike lanes - Drivers who don’t know the laws in your city, county, or state - Road rage - Drivers or passengers who open their doors without checking for bicyclists (known as dooring)  ### Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Even though auto collisions do not [cause most bicycle accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/common-causes-of-bicycle-accidents/), car accidents with a bicycle are responsible for the most severe injuries and deaths. About one-third of bicycle accidents involve a collision with a motor vehicle. According to the[ Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute,](https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/bicyclists) 843 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2019. Automobiles can be involved in bicycle accidents without ever striking the cyclist. If it runs a bicycle off the road, there can be [minor to severe injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/common-injuries-from-bicycle-accidents-in-washington-dc/) and, in some cases, [death](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wrongful-death/). Bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles usually happen for one of three reasons: - Drivers do not watch for or see bicyclists - Drivers do not respect bicyclists’ right to share the road - Inexperienced or uneducated bicyclists #### **Bicycle Defects and Other **Causes Roadway defects in bike paths, bike lanes, and other roadways can cause a crash. Bicyclists can also be injured by defective bicycles due to design flaws or manufacturing errors. In some cases, other bicyclists or even [pedestrians](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/pedestrian-accidents/) may be responsible. In any situation where a preventable bicycle accident was caused by negligence, injured victims may have the right to [pursue financial compensation](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/filing-a-personal-injury-claim/) for their damages. The legal process of obtaining the fair compensation you deserve can be complex and hotly contested by [insurance providers](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/what-insurance-companies-dont-want-you-to-know-in-personal-injury-cases/) wanting to minimize payouts. For these reasons, working with an experienced lawyer who knows how to hold at-fault parties and insurers liable for the harm they caused is critical to protecting your rights. ## Common Bicycle Accident Injuries [Traumatic brain injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/brain-injuries/) (TBI) is the most common cause of [death in bicycle accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-statistics/). According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, two-thirds of all bicycle-related deaths are caused by traumatic brain injuries. In addition, about 50,000 children in the U.S. sustain bicycle-related TBI each year, with over 400 dying from injuries. The actual number of bicycle-related TBIs may be much higher because [brain injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/) are not always readily apparent, and injuries from cycling accidents often seem too minor for emergency room treatment. Other common bike accident injuries include: - Broken bones and fractures - Neck injury - Back injury - Knee injury - Paralysis - Facial injuries - Severe road rash and scarring These types of injuries can devastate your life. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. ## What Our Washington, D.C. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Do For You The W**ashington, D.C. bicycle accident attorneys** with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a bicycle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements. Our bicycle accident attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – no case is too complex for us to prosecute. ## Recovering Damages in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit Many factors go into determining the [value of your bike accident claim](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2019/04/5-25m-wrongful-death-verdict-is-first-for-a-fatal-u-s-bikeshare-accident/). These include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our **bicycle accident attorneys** have experience evaluating cases like yours to determine their worth. We will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries. ### We Get You Results For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements: - $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him.  - $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision. - $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product. - $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan. - $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk. See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “[Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/)” page. ## Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your bicycle accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered. Our attorneys are well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or[ contact us online](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) to get the proven legal representation you deserve. Our call center is available 24/7, giving you access to help anytime you need it. [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The bicycle accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured cyclists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including Virginia ([Arlington bike accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County bicycle injury claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/fairfax-va/)) and Maryland ([Silver Spring cyclist injury cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/silver-spring/)), and we also handle [Capital Bikeshare claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-capital-bikeshare-accident-attorney/) and [e-bike injury matters](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/) throughout the District. Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles E-Bike Injuries How Is An E-Bike Different From a Bicycle? Washington, DC, E-Bike Accident Lawyer DC Bike Accident Attorneys Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Maryland? Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Virginia? Bicycle Safety Tips Silver Spring Bicycle Accident Lawyer Bicycle Accident Attorney Fairfax, VA Dangers Of Riding a Bicycle at Night Biking at Night Imagine you’re pedaling down a quiet, tree-lined street as the sun sets. 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