Hit while riding your bike in San Rafael? Talk to a bicycle accident lawyer for free

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents bicycle riders hurt in crashes in San Rafael. The phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

The firm has recovered over $350 million for clients since 2010. The sections below cover the firm’s vehicle crash results, the first steps after a bike crash, the rights and duties of bike riders and drivers, how fault works, the claim deadlines and who takes the report in and around San Rafael.

Table of Contents

A parked driver opened a door into me while I was riding in San Rafael. Is the driver responsible?

Often, yes. California law says no one may open a car door on the side of moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so (Vehicle Code section 22517). The Law Offices of J. Chrisp offers a free consultation and works on a contingency fee, and there is no fee unless we win.

Vehicle crash results

Results from the firm’s vehicle crash cases include:

$5,250,000 in a car crash case.
$3,375,000 in a Hertz rental car accident case.
$2,350,000 in an airport shuttle-versus-car case.
$2,350,000 in a transport van crash case.
$2,300,000 in a county vehicle crash case.
A $2,350,000 jury verdict in a major head-on crash case involving the sheriff.

Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

What to do after a bike crash in San Rafael

Call 911 if anyone is hurt. A driver involved in an injury crash must stop and give their name, address and vehicle registration number (Vehicle Code sections 20001 and 20003).

Get medical care the same day, even if you feel able to ride home.
Ask the officer for the report number.
Photograph the car, the door if one was opened, the lane markings, the road surface and your bike before it is moved or repaired.
Keep the bike, helmet and any damaged gear as they are.
Write down the names and numbers of witnesses.
Do not give the driver’s insurance company a recorded statement before you have legal advice.

Rights and duties of bike riders in California

A person riding a bicycle on a road has the same rights, and is subject to the same rules, as the driver of a vehicle, except for rules that by their nature cannot apply (Vehicle Code section 21200).

Passing: a driver passing a bicycle going the same direction must leave at least three feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or rider. If traffic or the road makes that impossible, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and pass only when it will not endanger the rider (Vehicle Code section 21760).
Doors: no one may open a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe and does not interfere with moving traffic, and the door may not stay open longer than needed to load or unload passengers (Vehicle Code section 22517).
Bike lanes: a rider going slower than traffic must use a bike lane where one exists. The rider may leave it to pass, to turn left, to avoid debris or other hazards, or to approach a place where a right turn is allowed, and only when it is reasonably safe (Vehicle Code section 21208).
Helmets: riders and passengers under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet (Vehicle Code section 21212). State law does not require adults to wear a helmet on a bicycle.

How fault works in a bicycle accident

California uses pure comparative fault, set out by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). A rider who was partly at fault can still recover, and the compensation is reduced by the rider’s share. If you are found 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages. When several parties share fault, each pays non-economic damages only in proportion to its own share (Civil Code section 1431.2).

Deadlines for a San Rafael bicycle accident claim

Deadline	What it controls	Source
6 months	Written claim against a city, county or the state for an injury, for example a city vehicle or a dangerous road condition. It is due within six months after the claim arises (accrues). A late-claim application is possible within limits.	Government Code section 911.2; section 911.4
2 years	Most personal injury lawsuits	Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1
3 years	Damage to the bicycle and other property	Code of Civil Procedure section 338

Who takes the report in and around San Rafael

Within city limits, the San Rafael Police Department takes reports on city streets. Its station is at 1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901, and copies of collision reports are requested through the department’s online records request portal on srpd.org.

The California Highway Patrol covers all state highways, such as US-101 and I-580, and county roads in unincorporated areas. That matters on rides that leave the city limits. The CHP Marin Area office is at 53 San Clemente Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925, and a CHP report can be requested at any CHP office, by mail or online.

If a road defect or a public vehicle caused the crash, the written claim goes to the agency responsible. For the City of San Rafael, that is the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, Room 209, and the city offers an online claim form. For the County of Marin, it is the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 329. A lawsuit is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Marin, at the Hall of Justice on Civic Center Drive in San Rafael.

Offices, service area and recognition

The firm serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Rafael and Marin County. It does not have an office in San Rafael. Its closest offices are in San Francisco and Santa Rosa, both on the US-101 corridor. Its offices are:

San Francisco: 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Santa Rosa: 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Lower Lake (main office): 9667 Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Founding attorney Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026. He was selected to Northern California Rising Stars from 2013 to 2021, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in the state. In 2018, he was one of four finalists for San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year. He has represented thousands of injured clients. He holds the record for the highest personal injury verdict in Lake County. Spanish-speaking staff are available.

A client testimonial on chrisplaw.com reads: “I had an excellent experience working with Jesse Chrisp.” (Whitney Stevenson)

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost in San Rafael?

The consultation is free, and the Law Offices of J. Chrisp works on a contingency fee. There is no fee unless we win.

Does not wearing a helmet hurt my case?

For adults, California law does not require a helmet on a bicycle. Riders under 18 must wear one (Vehicle Code section 21212). How fault is shared depends on the facts of each crash.

Was the driver supposed to give me three feet?

Yes. A driver passing a bicycle going the same direction must leave at least three feet. If that is not possible, the driver must slow down and pass only when it is safe for the rider (Vehicle Code section 21760).

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim?

Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If the City of San Rafael, the County of Marin or the state is involved, a written claim is generally due within six months (Government Code section 911.2).

Where can I call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp about a San Rafael bike crash?

Call 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The phone is answered 24/7. The firm’s closest offices to San Rafael are in San Francisco, at 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, and Santa Rosa, at 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200.

If you were hurt riding a bicycle in San Rafael or elsewhere in Marin County, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

Why choose the Law Offices of J. Chrisp?

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.