It is estimated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that just over 100 people are killed annually in bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles while thousands more are injured. These statistics mean that the state of California has one of the highest rates of bicycle accidents in the United States. Although potholes caused by heavy rains, poor road conditions, and other road hazards contribute to the dangers of Californian roads, motor vehicle drivers are the leading cause of bicycle accidents.

Occurring most frequently at four-way intersections, during lane changes or at the point where automobiles enter or exit traffic from private roads or driveways, bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are more prevalent at night when the visibility is low and on weekends when alcohol consumption is highest.

Motorists are frequently not aware of the rules, regulations and laws governing their behavior around bicyclists. California bicycle riders have rights to the road equal to other motor vehicles and the legal obligation to follow all the same traffic laws. Drivers frequently assume that cyclists are obliged to ride on road shoulders or that they must use sidewalks, bike paths or bike trails. While these options are available to cyclists they are not obliged to use them if they do not wish to as long as they are keeping pace with the rest of traffic. Even cyclists using bicycle lanes are allowed to merge into normal traffic if they need to pass another bicycle or car, or make a left hand turn or if the bike lane has hazardous material or damages that cause it to be unsafe to ride on.

Motorists also frequently assume that cyclists must ride as close to the right hand curb as possible on two-lane roads, but they are only the legally required to do so if they are traveling at a slower speed than the rest of traffic. When keeping pace, bicyclists are free to ride wherever they choose although close to the right-hand curb is usually the safest location.

There are a few legal requirements of any bicyclists riding in the state of California. All cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bike and all cyclists must not wear headsets or ear plugs while riding their bike unless they are required to use a prosthetic hearing aid. All bicyclists who ride at night must outfit their bikes with side and rear reflectors and a front headlamp to increase their visibility after dark. Drunk riding is as illegal as drunk driving and any cyclist who violates this law stands a chance to lose their driver's license and pay a $250.00 fine.

Riders who are diligent about safety can decrease their risk of an accident significantly but no one is completely safe from unexpected events. Those involved in a bicycle accident should contact an accident lawyer to determine whether they are legally entitled to pursue financial compensation.