Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Florissant, MO
Florissant, MO Personal Injury Attorneys
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Florissant, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Florissant, MO. Riding a bicycle is great for our physical and mental well-being. But on too many occasions, other motorists don't respect the safety of bicyclists and end up causing an accident. If you sustained an injury in a bike accident even after you did everything that you were supposed to, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote is here to stand by your side. We offer expert legal representation the injured and vulnerable in Florissant, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Our case reviews are free, no-risk and no-obligation, and we charge no attorneys' fees unless we secure you the recovery you are owed. Speak directly to an accomplished and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by contacting us online.
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in Florissant, 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 Florissant, MO to guarantee the optimal result. A personal injury lawyer in Florissant, MO can give support in a multitude of aspects:
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 increase your compensation by:
- Gathering evidence that proves the other party's liability
- Proving how all of your damages related to the accident are covered by the insurance policy
- Calculating the full extent of your damages and all the compensation you are eligible for
- Finding additional insurance coverage if your damages exceed the policy limits
- Making sure the insurance company applies the law truthfully and morally
Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights
Dealing with a heartless insurance adjuster can feel frustrating. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do whatever it takes they can to avoid accepting that responsibility.
Insurance companies often rely on claimants knowing limited about laws pertaining to injuries and accidents to pay as few money as feasible. We'll ensure they understand their lawful obligation to reimburse you for all your damages.
Legal Expertise
Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including gathering evidence, deposing people who saw the accident, examining medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are unfamiliar with injury claims can make errors or neglect important steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a strength, not a vulnerability.
You didn't ask to be injured and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle ensuring your compensation while you focus on healing.
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, examine medical records, and link your injuries to your accident, as well as question witnesses who can validate your story. The more complicated your case, the more evidence is needed. Experienced bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to locate 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 contest against your rights. That's why you need seasoned personal injury lawyers in your corner to file a lawsuit and bring them to trial if necessary.
As experienced Florissant, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can be by your side throughout your case, from our first case evaluation through a jury or bench trial.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the Florissant, MO Area?
In 2020, there were 983 bike accident deaths in motor vehicle crashes across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest total since 1987. According to research from the National Safety Council, that same year there were 325,173 nonfatal injuries in bicycle accidents. Most nonfatal injuries occurred in children between five and 14 years old, while adults aged 55 to 64 are the most likely to be victim to a fatal accident.
In Missouri, there were 406 total bike accidents which caused 351 injuries and six fatalities, according to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, in 2,180 bicycle accidents 1,995 people were injured and 28 people passed away.
Nationawide, urban areas with more vehicle traffic see most bike crashes. Thirty-one percent of bike crashes occur at night, when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.
While bicycle accidents make up only one percent of trips, annually they account for over twice that in traffic accident deaths. The discrepancy 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 Florissant, MO?
Most bike accidents are caused either because of biker error or because a motorist simply did not see a bicyclist. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically causes bike accidents:
- Drivers failing to see a bicyclist
- Drivers failing to yield the right of way
- Drivers neglecting to to obey bike lane laws
- Drivers passing in an unsafe manner
- Opening a door after parking on the side of the street checking for bicyclists
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Road signs that impede a motorists vision
- Road hazards
- Inadequately 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 stated that "midblock" accidents are more severe because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your Florissant, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out a comprehensive investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is to blame for your injuries.
What Are Common Injuries from Florissant, MO Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists are at a higher risk for severe injuries than anyone else on the road. Some of the most common injuries our lawyer for bicycle accident team has helped Florissant, MO residents receive compensation for include:
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries such as sprains
Because of the seriousness of the bicycle accident injuries, you need accomplished and dedicated bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company. In the worst accidents, if you suffer the wrongful death of a loved one in the Florissant, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of peace and secure your future.
Who Can I Hold Accountable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Florissant, MO?
Who you can seek compensation from depends on the causes of your accident. Different accidents may have different, or multiple, liable parties. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is to blame, and a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your claim and make each of them pay you based on how much of the accident was their fault. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:
A Car, Motorcycle or Truck 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 the road is for everyone, and if you are injured by a motorist the same liability in car accidents applies. For instance, if someone hits you because they were driving drunk, they would owe you damages.
Both Illinois and Missouri have specific laws for how motorists 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 is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a state statute. So if you are injured because a motorist did not yield at a crosswalk, your lawyer for bicycle accident only has to provide proof of your damages, and the insurance company will be more honest in negotiations.
A Defective Bike or Car Component
If your accident was because of a defective product, such as carbon fork failure, you can file a product liability claim. Anybody involved in the chain of distribution must ensure that products are not unreasonably dangerous and issue recalls if a safety hazard comes to light. If they don't, they are liable for your damages.
A Trucking or Other Commercial Company
If a truck driver, rideshare driver or other commercial driver causes your accident, you may be able to make a claim against both the driver and their employer. For example, if a trucking company failed to perform a background check, they would be least partially liable for your injuries.
A Government Entity
Governmental agencies at the state, local and federal levels are responsible for safely designing and maintaining our Florissant, MO roadways. If a hazard such as signage that makes it difficult for other vehicles to see you at certain intersections played a part in your injuries, your Florissant, MO bicycle accident lawyer may be able to find out that a government agency did not follow their own rules for maintaining safe roads. 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 necessary 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 operating a motor vehicle are not given sovereign immunity like other public employees are in personal injury cases. Regrettably, in Illinois, under 745 ILCS 10/ you cannot sue a public employee unless you can prove that they deliberately harmed you.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Florissant, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?
There are a variety of factors that determine what, and how much, you can recover for your bicycle accident injuries:
- The severity of your injuries — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in medical expenses, and you should be reimbursed for all of those expenses. Surgeries will lead to much higher compensation than a an appointment or two with your primary care physician. Was the accident severe enough to require a knee replacement? You will need a new one in 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Florissant, 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 — Your financial recovery is meant to compensate you for the physical and emotional hardships caused by your injuries, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. After years of playing piano, is it hard to sit up straight on the bench now? An accomplished and knowledgeable Florissant, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will secure you compensation for those damages as well.
- How much time you miss from work — You will also be reimbursed for the money you were not able to earn. If you couldn't earn a living because your injuries were too severe to allow you to work for a period, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
- If your injuries prevent you from working the same job — If you were a construction worker who suffered a permanent injury in a bicycle accident in Florissant, MO and now are not able to safely lift over 50 pounds, your ability to earn a living has been significantly compromised. Your compensation will need to be high enough to make sure your future is secure.
- The amount of insurance coverage available — Different insurance plans have different amounts of coverage. A standard car insurance policy may have a $50,000 limit on bodily injury, while trucking companies may have up to $5 million in coverage. An experienced lawyer for bicycle accidents will make sure you get all the money possible by filing an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if your damages exceed the policy limits.
- Whether you are partially at fault for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois are comparative negligence states, meaning that you can still get a recovery if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you are responsible for 30 percent of the accident, your recovery would be $70,000. Missouri is considered a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can make a recovery even if you are 99 percent responsible. Illinois is 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 Florissant, MO bicycle accident lawyers work with medical and economic experts to ensure you are truly fully and fairly compensated for your injuries. We know that large corporations and insurance companies treat people unfairly. We do what we do every day because we believe that an ordinary person who has been injured by another's negligence should be able to depend on the same high standard of legal advocacy as wealthy organizations.
What to Do if You're Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Florissant, MO
Getting in a bicycle accident can be scary and confusing, but there are several steps you should take to get the most out of both your financial and physical recovery.
Stay Calm, Stay Safe and Seek Medical Attention
If you're able to, move out of the way of traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If your injuries are too severe for you to move safely, stay put until emergency medical personnel to arrive.
If you don't need to go to the hospital in an ambulance, go to the emergency room or urgent care after police tell you you are free to leave the scene. If you didn't go the same day, make an appointment with your general practitioner in the days afterward. If you don't have a doctor's record of your injuries, you won't be able to make a valid injury claim.
Call and Wait for the Police
You need to have the police make a report, as it will go a long way in demonstrating the other party's liability. Police are trained to assign fault in an accident. When talking to police, don't acknowledge fault or over-embellish your actions. Be truthful, but stick to the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't offer any information they don't specifically 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 there are witnesses present, ask for their contact information so your city, state bicycle accident lawyer can get in touch with them at a later time.
Don't Settle Too Quickly
The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be an inadequate offer. They want you to settle before you become aware of the full extent of your injuries or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost never true. Most injury attorneys provide free consultations, so it's always worth it to at least speak to a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.
Take a look at some of the other cases we take on in Florissant, 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
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Florissant, MO | Halvorsen Klote
We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident because of someone else's negligence is confusing, painful and creates a large cloud of uncertainty about how you are going to pay for the damage someone else caused and whether or not you will ever feel the same again. Our Florissant, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has devoted their profession to fighting for people who have been wronged, and ensuring that they recover the full compensation they are entitled to. You only pay if we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Florissant, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
