San Luis Obispo Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Fighting for Cyclists Injured in Crashes—And Families Who’ve Lost Someone on Two Wheels

In San Luis Obispo, biking isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re riding through downtown, commuting to Cal Poly, heading out toward Los Osos Valley Road, or just enjoying the trails and scenic backroads, cycling is a major part of the community here.

But for all its beauty, San Luis Obispo County can be a dangerous place for people on bikes.

If you’ve been hit while riding—or if you’ve lost someone you love in a bicycle crash—we’re here to help. At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’re best known for standing up for motorcyclists. But we believe in fighting for all riders, including the people who roll without an engine.

We Support Cyclists in San Luis Obispo

This isn’t just talk. We support groups like Bike SLO County because we care deeply about road safety, equity, and justice for riders. Whether you’re commuting, training, or out for a family ride, we believe you have the right to share the road without fear.

San Luis Obispo is one of California’s most bike-friendly cities on paper—but real-world riding is still risky. We've seen it again and again: careless drivers, unsafe road design, and under-enforced laws putting cyclists in danger.

That’s why we’re here.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we represent injured riders and grieving families who need help holding someone accountable. We bring trial experience, deep local knowledge, and the kind of rider-first mindset that cyclists need when it feels like no one’s listening.

Bicycle Crash Hotspots in San Luis Obispo County

There’s no shortage of scenic routes in SLO, but we also know the danger zones. Some of the most common places we’ve seen serious bike crashes include:

  • Foothill Boulevard near Cal Poly

  • Santa Rosa Street and Monterey Street corridors

  • Los Osos Valley Road

  • Broad Street and Tank Farm Road intersections

  • Highway 1 and Highway 227 shoulders

  • Avila Beach Drive and See Canyon

  • The climb toward Prefumo Canyon or along Orcutt Road

In many of these areas, the same problems come up:

  • Drivers speeding or turning without checking for bikes

  • Inadequate or unprotected bike lanes

  • Poor visibility at intersections

  • Distracted or intoxicated driving

  • Commercial vehicles encroaching into the shoulder or bike lane

What Makes Bicycle Accident Cases Different?

Most personal injury lawyers assume a bike crash is just a “smaller” car accident. It’s not. Bicycle cases are legally and emotionally complex, and they deserve to be handled by someone who understands both the law and what it means to ride.

Here’s what makes these cases different:

  • The injuries are often worse. Riders have zero protection, so even a low-speed crash can result in a serious or permanent injury.

  • The bias is real. Insurance companies and even jurors sometimes blame cyclists just for being on the road. We know how to dismantle that nonsense.

  • The rules are different. California’s Vehicle Code applies to bikes too, but many crashes involve unique issues—like “dooring,” bike-lane encroachment, and failure to yield.

  • Helmet laws and finger-pointing. We regularly see adjusters try to blame victims for not wearing helmets—even when it has no bearing on fault or damages.

That’s why we take these cases seriously—and why we work closely with experts and advocates to build the strongest case possible.

When the Case Calls for It, We Team Up With a Top Bicycle Lawyer

While our firm focuses on motorcycle cases, we don’t just dabble in bike cases. When it makes sense, we work with Clay Griessmeyer, a nationally respected bicycle injury lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping cyclists and families after serious crashes through his work at Griessmeyer Law.

Clay brings deep knowledge of bicycle law, infrastructure issues, and legal strategy around:

  • Wrongful death cases involving cyclists

  • Bike crashes caused by poor road design or city negligence

  • Product liability and e-bike malfunction

  • Crashes involving commercial trucks and delivery vehicles

Together, we bring a combination of courtroom firepower and cycling-specific legal experience to give your case the attention it deserves.

Wrongful Death Bicycle Cases in SLO County

We’ve stood with families who’ve lost a son, daughter, spouse, or parent in a bicycle crash—and we understand that these aren’t just legal claims. They’re deeply personal.

These cases require compassion, clear communication, and a commitment to seeing it through. When we take on a wrongful death case, we investigate the crash, preserve evidence, and push for full accountability—whether that’s through a settlement or trial.

We’ve seen fatal crashes:

  • Near Cal Poly, where a student cyclist was hit by a left-turning car

  • On Los Osos Valley Road, where a driver drifted into the shoulder

  • On Highway 1, where a rider was struck from behind at high speed

When it happens to someone you love, you don’t just need a lawyer—you need someone who’s going to fight like hell to make sure their story is heard.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Here in San Luis Obispo, we’ve seen all types of bike crashes—from students clipped in roundabouts to older recreational cyclists struck near Avila Beach. The injuries are often severe, and they deserve full attention and fair compensation.

We commonly see:

Types of Bicycle Accidents We Handle

We represent cyclists injured or killed in crashes involving:

  • Left-turning drivers who fail to yield

  • Dooring incidents in tight downtown corridors

  • Distracted drivers on rural roads

  • Speeding or aggressive drivers on narrow shoulders

  • Commercial vehicles and delivery vans

  • E-bike crashes, including rental bikes with defective equipment

  • Poorly maintained or designed bike lanes and roads

  • Hit-and-run crashes

  • DUI drivers

Whether the crash happened downtown or on a remote county road, we’re here to fight for you.

What You Can Expect From Us

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we don’t push your case off to a junior attorney or make you wait for weeks to hear back. When you contact us:

  • Your case evaluation goes directly to my inbox

  • I’ll review it personally, and you’ll hear back quickly—often the same day

  • If we can help, we’ll schedule a free consultation

  • If we can’t, we’ll point you in the right direction—no pressure, no nonsense

  • You pay nothing upfront, and no legal fees unless we win

You’ll get experienced legal help and honest answers from a lawyer who cares about riders—not just verdicts.

Central Coast Roots. Rider-Focused Representation.

I grew up on the Central Coast. I live here now with my family. We ride the same roads you do.

Supporting Bike SLO County is just one way I try to give back and support safer streets for all riders. This isn’t just a case to me. It’s part of a bigger mission—to fight for people who’ve been hurt or wronged, especially when they were doing something as simple and human as riding a bike.

Talk to a San Luis Obispo Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been hit while riding in SLO County, we’re here to help. Whether the injuries are catastrophic or you’ve lost someone you love, we’ll listen. We’ll fight. And we’ll never treat your case like a number.

McCarthy Motorcycle Law – San Luis Obispo Bicycle Accident Cases

Built by riders. Fighting for cyclists. Proud supporter of Bike SLO County.