Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Fenton, MO

Fenton, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Fenton, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Fenton, MO. Riding a bicycle is a great way to exercise and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. But on too many occasions, bicyclists are an afterthought on the road and become hurt when other people don't pay attention or don't respect their safety. If you were injured in a bike accident through no fault of your own, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote is here to help see you through your time of need. We offer expert legal representation clients in Fenton, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, and we charge no attorneys' fees unless we win your claim. Speak directly to a qualified and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by getting in touch with us online.

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Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in Fenton, MO?

While some simple cases for relatively minor injuries can be handled without the help of an attorney, most require an experienced bike accident attorney in Fenton, MO to secure the optimal outcome. A personal injury lawyer in Fenton, MO can offer help in a multitude of ways:

Maximizing Compensation and Ensuring Fair Settlements

The purpose of making an injury claim is to get compensation. While insurance companies try to offer as little money as possible, bicycle accident lawyers can help you maximize your compensation by:

• Gathering evidence that proves the other party's liability
• Proving how all of your damages related to the accident are included by the insurance policy
• Calculating the full extent of your damages and all the compensation you are legally owed
• Finding additional insurance coverage if your damages go beyond the policy limits
• Making sure the insurance company follows the law fairly and morally

Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights

Dealing with a heartless insurance adjuster can feel defeating. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do everything they can to avoid assuming that responsibility.

Insurance companies often depend on claimants knowing limited about injury and accident law to offer as minimal money as achievable. We'll make sure they understand their lawful duty to pay you for every single one of your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve complex legal processes, including acquiring evidence, deposing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are unfamiliar with injury claims can make errors or overlook critical steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a strength, not a disadvantage.

You didn't ask to be injured and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle securing your compensation while you focus on getting better.

Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case

Some cases are more complex to prove than others. For your bicycle accident case, you'll need an attorney to question witnesses, analyze medical records, and establish a connection your injuries to your accident, as well as depose witnesses who can support your story. The more complicated your case, the more proof is needed. Skilled bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to find the evidence needed to win your claim.

Representing You in Court if Filing a Lawsuit is Necessary

Most bicycle accident cases settle out of court. However, if fault isn't clear, your damages are high, or other complications come up, the insurance company is going to oppose against your rights. That's why you need seasoned accident attorneys in your corner to file a lawsuit and pursue litigation if necessary.

As experienced Fenton, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can fight for you throughout your case, from our first case review through a jury or bench trial.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the Fenton, MO Area?

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto crashes in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most since 1987. According to research from the National Safety Council, in 2020 there were 325,173 bicyclists injured in nonfatal accidents. Kids ages five to 14 are at the highest risk for injuries, while adults aged 55 to 64 are at the highest risk for deaths.

In Missouri, there were 406 total crashes which caused 351 injuries and six deaths, according to statistics in the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle crashes, which resulted in 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries

Nationawide, the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more congested. Almost a third of bike crashes transpire between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., when visibility is at its lowest.

While bicycle accidents make up only one percent of trips taken by American commuters, annually they account for more than twice that in motor vehicle deaths. The deviation speaks to how important bicycle safety is, and also how important it is for drivers of other vehicles to be aware of bicyclists and share the road with them.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Fenton, MO?

Most bike accidents are caused either because of the biker making a mistake or because a motorist just was not paying attention. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically leads to bike accidents:

• Drivers failing to see a bicyclist
• Drivers failing to yield the right of way
• Drivers failing to obey bike lane laws
• Drivers passing dangerously
• Opening a door after parking on the side of the street checking for bicyclists
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence
• Road signs that impede a motorists vision
• Road hazards
• Improperly marked construction sites
• Pedestrians being oblivious to bikers
• Defective car or bike components

While intersections are the most common place to see or experience a bike accident, a National Transport Safety Board report relayed that accidents between intersections do more damage because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your Fenton, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out a thorough investigation into your accident to determine the cause of your injuries and who is liable for your damages.

What Are Common Injuries from Fenton, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries than anyone else on the road. We've helped secure the best possible compensation for people with:

• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Broken bones
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Joint injuries such as sprains

Because of the severity of the bicycle accident injuries, you need talented and passionate bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to take on your case and fight to make sure the liable parties are held accountable and you are fairly compensated. In the tragic case of the wrongful death of a family member in the Fenton, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of justice and secure your future.

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Who Can I Hold Accountable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Fenton, MO?

Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that surrounds your accident. Each injury is different, and as such the liable party varies. In some cases there are multiple liable parties, and an accomplished bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your claim and make each of them reimburse you based on how much of the accident was their fault. You may be able to seek compensation from:

Another Driver

Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are the most common liable party for bicycle accidents by think they own the road and bicyclists do not. But bicyclists are allowed to enjoy the road the same as the driver of any other vehicle, and in the event of an accident the same liability in car accidents applies. For instance, if someone injures you because they were texting and driving, they would be at fault for your injuries.

Both Illinois and Missouri have rules of the road for how drivers are supposed to interact with bicyclists, such as allowing at least three feet of space when passing. Under the legal practice of negligence per se, someone violates a state statute and injures someone else is liable as a matter of law. So if injured because someone hit you with their car door without looking, your lawyer for bicycle accident only has to provide proof of your damages, and the insurance company will likely be more motivated to offer a fair recovery.

A Faulty or Car Component

If your result was the result of a defective product, such as headlights, you can seek a product liability claim. Anybody involved in the chain of distribution must ensure that products are not unreasonably dangerous and issue recalls whenever a component is found to be unsafe. If they fail to, you can make a claim against them.

A Trucking or Other Commercial Company

If a truck driver, rideshare driver or other commercial driver causes your accident, your bike accident attorney may be able to prove negligence on the part of the employer. For example, if a trucking company required their driver to work more hours than regulations allow, they would be considered negligent.

A Government Entity

Municipal agencies both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our Fenton, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as uneven pavement caused your accident, your Fenton, MO bicycle accident lawyer can investigate if a government agency was liable. There are special rules for filing claims against government agencies and they have different deadlines for how long you have to file, so an attorney is vital for the best results in your claim.

In Missouri, a public transport operator may also be liable. Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, government workers who injure somebody while driving within the course of their employment are not given sovereign immunity like most other government workers are in personal injury cases. Regrettably, in Illinois, pursuant to 745 ILCS 10/ you cannot sue a public employee unless you can prove that they deliberately harmed you.

How Much Compensation Can I Collect for My Fenton, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?

How much your claim is worth depends on the severity of the injuries, how they've affected your life, your economic damages and other factors:

• How serious your injuries are — More debilitating injuries lead to higher medical expenses, which you will be compensated for. Surgeries will lead to much higher compensation than a a visit or two with your primary care physician. Did your bicycle accident lead to a joint replacement? Those typically last 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Fenton, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure you are not the one that has to pay for it when a new one is necessary.
• The impact your injuries had on your life — The purpose of a personal injury settlement isn't just to cover your medical bills, but to compensate you for the less tangible ways your injuries have hurt you, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Is it painful just to get up and down the stairs? An experienced and talented Fenton, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will secure you compensation for those damages as well.
• How much time you miss from work — Any personal injury settlement will also include the paychecks you were not able to earn, even if you had sick leave. If you couldn't work because a physician told you to stay home and rest, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
• If your injuries result in lost earning potential — If you were a warehouse worker who suffered a neck injury in a bicycle accident in Fenton, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift over 50 pounds, your ability to earn a living has been severely compromised. Your compensation will need to substantial enough to make sure your future is not put in jeopardy.
• The amount of insurance coverage available — The defendant's insurance policy may have an impact on your settlement amount. Illinois and Missouri both require $25,000 per person for bodily injury in car accident policies, while trucking companies often have coverage into the millions. A skilled lawyer for bicycle accidents can help you make an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the coverage available isn't enough to fully compensate you for your injuries.
• Whether you are partially at fault for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois are comparative negligence states, meaning that you can still be reimbursed for your damages if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but it will be proportionately less based on how how much of your fault it was. Meaning, if a fact finder awards you $100,000 but you were 30 percent at fault, your compensation would be lowered by $30,000. Missouri is called a a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can make a recovery even if you are 99 percent responsible. Illinois is called a a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be unable to make a claim if more than half the accident is your fault.

At Halvorsen Klote, our Fenton, MO bicycle accident lawyers will know exactly how much you are owed. We know that large corporations and insurance companies often resist taking accountability. Our practice is founded on the idea that everyone has should be able to depend on the same knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation as wealthy organizations.

What to Do if You're Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Fenton, MO

Getting in a bicycle accident can be terrifying and it can be hard to know exactly what to do, but there are several things you should do to get the most out of both your financial and physical recovery.

Stay Calm, Get to Safety and Seek Medical Attention

If you're able to, move to the side of the road to get away from oncoming traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could intensify your injuries. If your injuries are too severe for you to move safely, stay put until emergency medical personnel to get to the scene.

If you don't need to go to the hospital in an ambulance, head to the emergency room or urgent care after law enforcement tell you it's safe to leave the scene. If you didn't go on the same day, make an appointment with your general practitioner in the days afterward. If you don't have medical documentation of your injuries, you won't be able to receive compensation from the insurance company.

Call and Wait for the Police

You need to have the police make a report, as it will go a long way in establishing the other party's liability. Police are trained to assign fault in an accident. When speaking to police, don't admit fault or over-embellish your actions. Be honest, but don't say anything beyond the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't provide any information they don't explicitly ask for.

Gather Evidence and Witness Contact Information

While waiting for the authorities to arrive, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos of the accident location, any damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, and your injuries. If other people saw the accident, get their contact information so your city, state bicycle accident lawyer can contact them at a later time.

Don't Settle Too Quickly

The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be an unfairly low offer. They want you to settle before you realize the full extent of your damages or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost never true. The majority of injury attorneys provide free consultations, so it's always advisable to consult with a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.

Click on the links below to see some of the other cases we take on in Fenton, MO:

• Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
• Auto Accident Attorney
• Bike Wreck Lawyer
• What to Do After a Car Accident
• Premises Liability Attorneys
• Automobile Injury Attorney
• Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
• Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Injury Claim Lawyer

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Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Fenton, MO | Halvorsen Klote

You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you do not have to go through this alone. Our Fenton, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has committed their careers to standing up for people who have been treated unfairly, and ensuring that they get all the money they deserve. You do not pay unless we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Fenton, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case review.

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