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You may have many questions when you are involved in a bicycle accident, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by bicycle accident victims in the United States.
Some states have bicycle laws set specifically for bike riders. Other states require that cyclists follow the same rules of the road as other motorists. In either case, bicyclists have traffic laws and are expected to abide by them.
By the same token, this also means you have the right to file a personal injury claim if you are hurt while riding your bike due to driver negligence or other preventable circumstances. For example, if a driver didn’t come to a full stop at a stop sign and injured you as a result, you may have a case. Similarly, if you hit a pothole while bike riding that should have been fixed by the county or city road commission, you may have a reason to file a claim.
In either of these (and numerous other) cases, a bike accident attorney can help by offering legal advice, a free case review, and helping you file your claim quickly and efficiently.
Most states post bicycle laws on their governmental website, along with traffic laws for other motorists. However, bike accident lawyers can also explain these laws to you during your initial case evaluation.
Some laws that may apply to your case include traffic laws for your county or state, the personal injury statute of limitations (time limit for filing your claim), and consideration of fault in your state.
If you are unsure how to find the laws that affect your claim, consider working with a bicycle accident lawyer for access to easy-to-understand definitions and details.
Practicing bicycle safety is of the utmost importance to you while riding a bike on shared roadways. That is why bike riders are expected to follow common traffic laws, including proper yielding, stopping, and more.
If you failed to yield and a car struck you with their vehicle, you may be considered partly at fault for your injuries. However, having partial fault in a car accident does not necessarily bar you from filing a personal injury claim.
Speak to a bicycle accident lawyer to learn more about fault, your legal rights after a bike crash, and more.
If you were hurt in a bicycle wreck, you may have the option of starting a legal case. You may be able to file a claim against the driver of the vehicle that struck you, or against the county or state road commission for dangerous road conditions.
People who live in no-fault states have the option of filing insurance claims with their own insurance company to seek compensation for their injuries.
Not sure where to begin? An attorney can help you sort out your situation by examining the details of your bike accident and explaining how to file your claim.
To file a personal injury claim for a bicycle accident, connect with a lawyer for a free case review. This first step allows you to learn:
Once your attorney performs your case evaluation, they can begin work on your claim right away. They will manage all legal tasks related to your case, such as communicating with the defendant’s lawyers and talking to the insurance company.
When it is time to file your claim, the attorney will file it in the proper area of the legal system and within the statute of limitations.
You are not required to work with a bicycle accident attorney to file a personal injury claim, but it helps. Having a lawyer ensures that you meet all deadlines, that your claim is complete and error-free when you turn it in, which helps you avoid delays.
A lawyer will also know all the legal jargon you likely are not familiar with and can explain these terms to you in a way that makes sense. They will offer sound legal advice throughout your case to help you make the best decisions for the most favorable outcomes as well.
Overall, allowing a bike accident attorney to manage your case gives you the benefit of having legal experience and competency on your side.
Filing a claim for compensation after a hit-and-run accident may be tricky, but it is not impossible. If the accident occurred in a public place, law enforcement officers may try to track the driver who struck you by pulling surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
Some traffic stop lights have cameras as well. Concerned after a hit-and-run bicycle accident? Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to learn your options.
You may be able to claim property damages during a bicycle accident case. During your initial case review, your attorney will assess all damages caused by the accident, from medical expenses to property damage to pain and suffering or emotional anguish.
To file a claim against another driver for personal injury or property damage, your lawyer must be able to demonstrate that negligence was involved in the accident. This means that the other driver made negligent choices while driving (such as speeding or failure to yield), that the negligence led to the accident, and that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Drivers in many states are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage through their insurance, which covers accident-related injury costs.
Often, you must file a personal injury lawsuit individually against the driver (not their insurance company) for damage to your bicycle. This is not always the case, and a lawyer can better explain what you can claim for damages during your case.
Through LegalFinders, you’ll find easy access to highly rated bicycle accident attorneys in your area. We have curated a wide network of legal professionals with years of experience in managing personal injury cases — including bicycle accident cases. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bike crash, you have legal options. Let us direct you to a competent, trusted attorney who will help you pursue compensation for your pain and suffering.
In most areas of the United States, bikes must follow the same laws as motor vehicles. That means that drivers must use caution when sharing the road with cyclists, and vice versa. Still, many people are injured in car accidents while riding their bicycle every year. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury, and even wrongful death for bicycle accident victims.
Some accidents may be caused by the cyclist’s negligence, such as failure to yield or disobeying bicycle laws. However, the majority of bike crashes occur due to preventable causes, such as opening a car door while a bike is approaching, failing to heed a stop sign, and others.
Because of this, people injured in bike accidents may have the right to file a claim if they were injured by a negligent driver, due to a faulty roadway, or other circumstances out of their control. This is where LegalFinders can help. Law firms in our network know bicycle accident laws. They also understand the best ways to help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
When you file a bicycle accident claim, you seek compensation for medical expenses, property damage to your bike, and other accident-related costs. Working with a lawyer can offer several advantages during the claim-filing process.
First, a bicycle accident attorney can provide a free consultation to discuss your case. They will thoroughly review all details related to your claim, including medical bills, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and more. After gathering all the details, they can provide a free, educated estimate for the amount of damages you may be able to claim.
Your lawyer will work closely with you throughout your case, establishing a solid attorney-client relationship so you feel informed and at ease at all times. Even better, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, they won’t collect payment from you unless they successfully help you win your case.
If you don’t want to be stuck paying your medical bills after a bike accident, or if you want legal compensation to atone for the wrongful death of your loved one, reach out to us today. We only work with the most trusted, experienced lawyers, and they are ready and willing to give you a free case review. Call the LegalFinders helpline now, or fill out the contact form to learn more about your legal rights following a bicycle accident.
More than 840 bicyclists suffered fatal injuries in 2019 (the most recent year for data), according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While this number represented a 3% decrease from the previous year, it is still part of an overall increase since 2010. Consider the following facts regarding bicycle crashes in the United States:
Bicycle accident injuries in the U.S.
nearly 467,000
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015
Most bicycle injury deaths
people ages 20 and older
the number of bicycle riders fatally injured over the age of 20 has tripled since 1975, as stated by the IIHS
More male than female bicyclists are killed in bike accidents
every year
that involve other motorists as per the IIHS
Death rates due to bicycle injury
decreased 90%
since 1975, according to the IIHS
Most bicyclist deaths
happen in urban areas
according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Non-fatal injury medical costs and productivity losses
$10 billion
for injured bicyclists in 2010, according to the CDC
The lesser protection offered while riding a bike makes bicycle accident injuries all too common. Yet motorists are expected to share the roadway and can be held liable for your injuries if negligence was involved. Contact LegalFinders to find superb legal representation after a bike accident.
The NHTSA reports that there are two main types of bike crashes: falling off your bike and car accidents involving cyclists. While falls are the most common types of bicycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents that injure bicyclists can lead to the most catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
A negligent driver in the opposing vehicle
Cars driving in bike lanes
Opening car doors
Failure to share the road with bike riders
Failure to yield to a stop sign
Failure to yield during left turns
Speeding or other careless driving
Potholes or other roadway neglect
Colliding with a fixed object, such as a tree
Swerving to avoid hitting a dog or other animal
Ready for your free case evaluation? Reach out to LegalFinders to be directed to law offices backed by years of experience, positive client reviews, and successful track records. We offer an easy way to find not just a lawyer who practices personal injury law, but to find bicycle accident lawyers who specialize in your type of case.
A lawyer can offer many advantages for your case, from the initial free case evaluation to the day you reach your settlement. Don’t sell yourself short by accepting the lowest and quickest offer from an insurance company after a bicycle accident. Get help from a lawyer to optimize your chances for fair compensation for your injuries. Look for a highly trained personal injury attorney by calling today.
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Published: 4 February 2022
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – Bicyclists Fatalities
CDC – Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center
NHTSA – Bicycle Safety
