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

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents bicycle riders hurt in crashes in Petaluma. 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 its vehicle crash results, what to do after a bike crash, the rules for riders and drivers, how fault works, the claim deadlines and who handles a bike crash in Petaluma.

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A driver hit me while I was riding my bike in Petaluma. Does it cost anything to have a lawyer review my case?

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

Vehicle crash results

The firm’s published results do not include a case labeled as a bicycle case. The results below are vehicle crash cases, as shown on chrisplaw.com and its case results page:

$5,250,000 Car Crash
$3,375,000 Hertz Rental Car Accident
$2,350,000 Airport Shuttle vs. Car
$2,350,000 Transport Van Crash
$2,350,000 Jury Verdict: Major Head-on Crash with Sheriff
$2,300,000 County Vehicle Crash

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

What to do after a bike crash in Petaluma

Call 911 if you are hurt. A driver involved in an injury crash must stop (Vehicle Code section 20001). The driver must give their name, address and vehicle registration number and give reasonable help to anyone injured (Vehicle Code section 20003).

Get checked by a doctor the same day. Head and neck injuries do not always show at first.
Photograph the bike, the car, the lane markings, any open car door, the road surface and your injuries.
Get the driver’s name, insurance and plate number, and the names and numbers of witnesses.
Keep the bike, helmet and clothing as they are. Do not repair or throw them away.
Do not give the driver’s insurance company a recorded statement before you have legal advice.

Rights and duties of bicycle riders in California

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

Passing. Under the Three Feet for Safety Act, a driver passing a bicycle going the same direction must leave at least three feet between the car and the bike or rider. If the bike is in the same lane and another lane going the same direction is available, the driver must change lanes to pass, when that is practicable and allowed. If three feet is not possible, the driver must slow down and pass only when it will not put the rider in danger (Vehicle Code section 21760).
Car doors. No one may open a car door on the side next to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe and does not interfere with that traffic, or leave it open longer than needed to load or unload passengers (Vehicle Code section 22517).
Bike lanes. Where there is a bike lane, a rider moving slower than traffic must use it. The rider may leave it to pass, to get ready for a left turn, to avoid debris or other hazards, or when approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. The rider may leave the lane only when it is safe and signal if a vehicle may be affected (Vehicle Code section 21208).
Helmets. Riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet that meets safety standards (Vehicle Code section 21212). California law does not require riders 18 and older to wear one.

How fault works in a bicycle crash

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 10% at fault, you can recover 90% of your damages.

When several people or companies share fault, such as a driver and a company that left a hazard in the bike lane, each one pays non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, only in proportion to its own share (Civil Code section 1431.2).

Deadlines for a Petaluma bicycle accident claim

Deadline	What it controls	Source
6 months	Written injury claim against a public entity, such as the City of Petaluma, Sonoma County or the state, for example over a road defect. It is due within six months after the claim arises (accrues).	Government Code section 911.2
1 year	Application to present a late claim against a public entity, if the six-month deadline was missed. Exceptions apply.	Government Code section 911.4
2 years	Most personal injury lawsuits	Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1
3 years	Lawsuit for damage to your bike or other property	Code of Civil Procedure section 338

Who handles a bike crash in Petaluma

The Petaluma Police Department takes crash reports on city streets. Drivers, passengers, registered owners and their insurers can request a copy online, or in person or by mail with the department’s Application for Release of Information form. The city lists a $13 fee and says an approved report usually takes seven to ten working days, and longer in injury crashes. A crash on Highway 101, a state freeway, falls under the primary jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol (Vehicle Code section 2400). Its Santa Rosa Area office, at 6100 LaBath Avenue in Rohnert Park, serves most of Sonoma County.

If a pothole, broken pavement or another dangerous condition of a city street caused the crash, the claim may be against the City of Petaluma. Except as provided by statute, a public entity can be liable for an injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if the elements of Government Code section 835 are proven. The claim is filed with the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952, and the city’s Risk Management Division handles it. A claim against Sonoma County is filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 575 Administration Drive, Suite 100A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Highway 101 and State Route 116 are Caltrans roads, so a claim about them is a claim against the state.

Subject to exceptions, a lawsuit over a Petaluma crash can be filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, the county where the injury happened (Code of Civil Procedure section 395). Its Civil and Family Law Courthouse is at 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

The City of Petaluma’s Local Roadway Safety Plan, adopted in August 2022, counted 110 bicycle collisions on city roads and seven on Caltrans roads from 2016 to 2020. Of the collisions on city roads, 19 caused severe injuries and two were fatal. The most common violation category in those bicycle collisions was improper turning.

Offices, service area and recognition

The firm serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area, including Petaluma. It does not have an office in Petaluma. The closest office is in Santa Rosa at 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The main office is in Lower Lake at 9667 Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457, and the firm also has an office in San Francisco at 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, San Francisco, CA 94109.

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. He has represented thousands of injured clients and is a graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College. Spanish-speaking staff are available.

In a review shown on the firm’s testimonials page, Jonathan Miller wrote: “The team was very professional and responsive and helped me reach a speedy settlement based on my recovery time.”

Frequently asked questions

How much room does a driver have to give me when passing my bike?

At least three feet. If another lane going the same way is available, the driver must change lanes to pass when practicable. If three feet is not possible, the driver must slow down and pass only when it is safe (Vehicle Code section 21760).

Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?

California requires helmets only for riders under 18 (Vehicle Code section 21212). If you are found partly at fault for any reason, pure comparative fault reduces your compensation rather than barring it.

What if someone opened a car door into me?

Vehicle Code section 22517 bars opening a door on the traffic side unless it is reasonably safe and does not interfere with moving traffic. The person who opened the door may be responsible.

What if the driver had no insurance?

Your own auto policy may help. California’s uninsured motorist law covers the named insured and household relatives “while occupants of a motor vehicle or otherwise” (Insurance Code section 11580.2). Check your policy.

Where do I call if I was hurt on my bike in Petaluma?

Call 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477), answered 24/7. The firm has no office in Petaluma. The closest office is in Santa Rosa at 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200.

If you were hurt riding a bike in Petaluma or elsewhere in Sonoma 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.