--- description: Washington, DC bicycle accident lawyers discuss the recent rise in cycling accidents and injuries. If you've been injured in a bike accident, call the firm for a FREE consultation. title: Bicyclist Injuries on the Rise | Washington, DC Bicycle Accidents canonical: https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2015/10/bicyclist-injuries-on-the-rise/ date_published: 2015-10-14T14:06:00+00:00 date_modified: 2025-11-19T17:37:38+00:00 practice_area: blog --- - Bicyclist Injuries on the Rise | Washington, DC Bicycle Accidents # Bicyclist Injuries on the Rise Last Updated: November 19, 2025 - Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content ![090424_CSCS_APE30](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/090424_CSCS_APE30-r7ld7n5zxjd9ezimssquc85jvnm28x0iit481i4iwo.jpg) Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 9 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » Bicyclist Injuries on the Rise [![Best Law Firms - Regional Tier 1 Badge](https://www.bestlawyers.com/Badges/Metro/35728/17508/15/washington-d-c/O/Detail.png)](https://www.bestlawfirms.com/firms/chaikin-sherman-cammarata-siegel/35728/US) 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](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-clients/13256/) 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* Send 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. Over the last few weeks bicyclist fatalities have made the news locally, including a[bicyclist killed](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2013/11/how-dangerous-is-it-to-ride-a-bike-in-dc/)in Fairfax County and another in Bethesda. The Fairfax incident involved a bicyclist riding around 8 p.m. when he was struck from behind by an SUV. He was bicycling with a partner, but not wearing reflective clothing and did not have any lights on the bicycle. The Montgomery County incident involved a 64-year-old form Navy SEAL who was killed when a car struck his bicycle on Massachusetts Avenue at around 6:30 a.m. The bicyclist was on the shoulder, wearing a helmet, when he was struck by a car. There was no bike lane at the point in the road where he was struck. These incidents come as the Journal of the America Medical Association published a study that found the number of traumatic injuries related to bikes in adults age 18 and older nearly doubled from 1998-99 to 2012-2013 going from 8,791 to 15,427. As the number of bicyclists on the road continues to rise, researchers also found that[head injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2014/01/are-inflatable-bike-helmets-safer-than-standard-helmets/) had risen from 10 to 16 percent and torso injuries rose from 14 to 17 percent of all injuries. In the most recent years of the study, 56 percent of bicycling injuries took places on streets, rather than in parks, rural areas, or other locations. The greatest increase in injuries was seen among Americans over the age of 45, rising from 23 percent to 42 percent. These unfortunate stories, and alarming statistics, are an important reminder that the roadways need to be safe for all users, whether in motor vehicles or on bicycles. When an accident occurs between two automobiles, the people in the motor vehicles have at least some protection, whether it’s the body of the vehicle, airbags, or other safety features. [Bicyclists are completely exposed](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2014/05/d-c-ranks-high-in-the-number-of-commuters-who-walk-and-bike-to-work/). A low-speed collision that would cause only minor injuries to a passenger in a car, can have significant consequences if it involves a bicyclist. Out of the roadway, everyone, both drivers and bicyclists, need to be mindful of others on the roadway and their surroundings to help avoid accidents. The personal injury attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., have helped countless bicyclists who have been injured by careless or negligent drivers. If you or someone you love has been injured in a [bicycling accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/) as a result of someone else’s negligence, please give us a call today for a [free consultation](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/). [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) ![Main CSCS Video - Thumb 1](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1.png) 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](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/E-Book.pdf) Meet Our Team [Learn More About Us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/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](https://chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/ira-sherman/) 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](https://chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/joseph-cammarata/) 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](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/allan-m-siegel) 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](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/stephen-ollar/) ## Related Articles [Read More Blog Articles](/blog/) ### [E-Bike Injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/injuries/) ### [How Is An E-Bike Different From a Bicycle?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/how-is-an-e-bike-different-from-a-bicycle/) ### [Washington, DC, E-Bike Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/) ### [DC Bike Accident Attorneys](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/dc-bike-accident-attorneys/) ### [Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Maryland?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/do-bicycles-have-to-obey-traffic-laws-in-maryland/) ### [Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Virginia?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/do-bicycles-have-to-obey-traffic-laws-in-virginia/) ### [Bicycle Safety Tips](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/bicycle-safety-tips/) ### [Silver Spring Bicycle Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/silver-spring/) ### [Bicycle Accident Attorney Fairfax, VA](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/fairfax-va/) ### [Dangers Of Riding a Bicycle at Night](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/dangers-of-riding-a-bicycle-at-night/) Biking at Night Imagine you’re pedaling down a quiet, tree-lined street as the sun sets. [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/dangers-of-riding-a-bicycle-at-night/) 07/18/2023 ### [The Dangers of Washington, DC Bike Lanes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/the-dangers-of-washington-dc-bike-lanes/) Washington, DC Bike Lanes, and Their Dangers As the popularity of cycling continues to grow [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/the-dangers-of-washington-dc-bike-lanes/) 07/18/2023 ### [Biking To Work: Tips For Bicycle Commuting](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/biking-to-work-tips-for-bicycle-commuting/) Bike Commuting Tips As the sun rises and the city bustles to life, many individuals [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/biking-to-work-tips-for-bicycle-commuting/) 07/17/2023 ### [Tips For Cycling in the Rain](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/tips-for-cycling-in-the-rain/) Tips for Cycling in Wet Weather Cycling in the rain can be an enjoyable and [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/tips-for-cycling-in-the-rain/) 07/17/2023 ```json-ld {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"LegalService","@id":"https://chaikinandsherman.com/#firm","name":"Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel Personal Injury Lawyers","url":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/","telephone":"+1-202-659-8600","email":"publicrelations@dc-law.net","logo":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/new-logoBaskerville@2x.png","image":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cscs-firm-photo.jpg","description":"Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel is a Washington D.C. personal injury law firm with decades of experience representing accident victims throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.","foundingDate":"1969","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"},"founder":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Joseph Chaikin","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"}},{"@type":"Person","name":"Ira Sherman","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"}}],"employee":[{"@type":"Attorney","name":"Allan M. 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