Potential Defendants in Bicycle Accident Cases in San Diego
When a bicyclist is seriously injured in a collision, determining who is legally responsible—and holding them accountable—is a critical step toward securing justice and financial recovery. While many assume the at-fault driver is the only party who can be sued, in reality, multiple defendants may share liability in a bicycle accident claim.
At Hulburt Law Firm, we thoroughly investigate every case to identify all possible defendants. Below, we explore who may be held legally responsible in a serious bicycle crash and why naming the right parties can significantly impact your case.
1. The Negligent Driver
In most cases, the primary defendant is the driver of the motor vehicle who caused the collision. Drivers may be found negligent for:
- Failing to yield to a cyclist
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Failing to check blind spots before turning or opening a door
Under California law, drivers owe a duty of care to share the road safely with cyclists. (California Vehicle Code § 21200)
2. The Driver’s Employer
If the driver was working at the time of the crash (for example, a delivery truck or rideshare driver), their employer may also be held liable under a legal theory called respondeat superior. This holds companies responsible for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment.
Examples:
- A FedEx or Amazon driver who hits a cyclist while on route
- A food delivery driver working for a restaurant or third-party service
Employers often carry higher insurance coverage, making them key to securing full compensation.
3. Vehicle Owner: Permissive Use and Negligent Entrustment
In many serious bicycle accident cases, the person driving the vehicle may not actually own it. Under California law, that doesn’t necessarily mean the vehicle owner escapes responsibility. There are two key legal doctrines that may allow you to hold the vehicle owner accountable: permissive use liability and negligent entrustment.
Permissive User Liability
Under California Vehicle Code § 17150, a vehicle owner is liable for injuries caused by someone else who was driving their vehicle with permission. This is known as the permissive user statute.
- Who it applies to: If a friend, family member, or employee borrows someone’s car and hits a cyclist, the car owner may be liable—even if they weren’t present.
- Limit of liability: Owners are only statutorily responsible for up to $15,000 per person for injury or death, and $30,000 per incident.
Negligent Entrustment
Negligent entrustment is a separate legal theory that applies when a vehicle owner allows someone to drive their car knowing—or having reason to know—that the person is unsafe behind the wheel. This could include someone who is:
- Unlicensed or has a suspended license
- Habitually reckless or has a history of DUIs
- Intoxicated at the time the vehicle was lent
- Known to be unfit to drive due to medical or psychological conditions
If a vehicle owner knew or should have known the driver posed a danger, they can be held personally liable for any resulting injuries or damages. In serious bicycle injury or wrongful death cases, this theory may unlock additional insurance coverage or personal assets beyond what’s available through a standard liability policy.
4. Government Entities
In some bicycle crashes, dangerous road conditions play a major role. If your accident was caused by:
- Poor road design
- Potholes or road hazards
- Lack of signage or lane markings
- Defective or missing bike lanes
Then the city, county, or state responsible for maintaining the roadway may be liable. These cases are more complex and require filing a government claim within 6 months of the accident (California Government Code § 911.2).
5. Property Owners or Businesses
In crashes involving unsafe parking lots, driveways, or private roads, the property owner or business operator may share responsibility. This is especially true if they created a hazard or failed to warn about one.
For example:
- A business whose delivery zone blocks a bike lane
- A parking lot with poor lighting or confusing signage
- A property owner with obstructed sightlines that make entering traffic dangerous
6. Vehicle or Bicycle Manufacturers
In rare but serious cases, a product defect may cause or contribute to a crash. You may have a product liability claim if:
- A vehicle’s brakes, tires, or sensors malfunctioned
- Your bicycle’s frame, brakes, or tires failed
- A helmet or safety device was defectively designed
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may all be named as defendants in these cases.
7. Rideshare Companies (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
If you were hit by a rideshare driver, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver’s insurance and, in some cases, from Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage, which may include up to $1 million in liability coverage depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
Why Identifying All Defendants Matters
Each additional defendant can:
- Increase available compensation by tapping into multiple insurance policies
- Strengthen your negotiating position during settlement discussions
- Ensure accountability from every party who played a role in your injuries
“Serious injuries demand serious investigation. We pursue every angle to hold all responsible parties accountable—because the truth matters.”— Conor Hulburt, Trial Attorney
How Hulburt Law Firm Can Help
At Hulburt Law Firm, we don’t stop at the obvious. Our experienced San Diego bicycle accident attorneys dig deeper to uncover every responsible party and build a powerful case for maximum compensation.
We’ve represented cyclists hit by distracted drivers, delivery vans, unsafe road conditions—and even defective bikes. Our commitment is simple: pursue the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and get justice for our clients.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, don’t leave compensation on the table by overlooking potential defendants. Contact Hulburt Law Firm for a free consultation.
- Complete our Online Contact Form
- Visit our San Diego Bicycle Accident Attorney page
The Truth Demands Justice—and we’re here to deliver it.
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Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.
The Hulburt Law Firm specializes in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases in San Diego, California.
