Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Glen Carbon, IL

Glen Carbon, IL Personal Injury Attorneys

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Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Glen Carbon, IL Lawyer for Bicycle Accident

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Glen Carbon, IL. Riding a bicycle is a wonderful way to exercise and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. But too frequently, 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 because someone else did not respect your safety, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote will fight for your rights and secure you the financial recovery you deserve. We offer expert legal representation the injured and vulnerable in Glen Carbon, IL and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Our consultations and initial investigations are free, and you do not owe us anything until you are fairly compensated. Speak directly to a knowledgeable and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by getting in touch with us online.

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How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the Glen Carbon, IL Area?

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto crashes across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than any other year since 1987. According to data from the National Safety Council, in 2020 there were 325,173 bicyclists injured in nonfatal accidents. Most nonfatal injuries occurred in children between five and 14 years old, while deaths were most common in riders between 55 and 64 years old.

In Missouri, in 406 total crashes, 351 people sustained nonfatal injuries and six people passed away, according to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, in 2,180 bicycle crashes 1,995 people were injured and 28 people passed away.

Across the U.S., the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more congested. Over three-tenths of bike crashes happen at night, when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.

While bicycle accidents make up only one percent of trips taken by American commuters, each year they account for more than two percent of traffice-related deaths. The disparity points to the ruinous destruction drivers can do when they don't pay attention on the road, and how important safety measures like helmets and staying in bikes lanes are.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Glen Carbon, IL?

Most bike accidents are caused either because of biker error or because a motorist just did not see the bicyclist in time to adjust. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically leads to bike accidents:

• Drivers neglecting to to pay attention
• Drivers failing to yield the right of way
• Drivers neglecting to to respect a bike lane
• Drivers passing too close
• Opening a door after parking on the side of the street checking for bicyclists
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Poorly placed road signs
• Road hazards
• Insufficiently cordoned-of construction sites
• Pedestrians being oblivious to bikers
• Faulty 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 Glen Carbon, IL bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will perform a comprehensive investigation into your accident to determine the cause of your injuries and who we need to seek compensation from.

What Are Common Injuries from Glen Carbon, IL Bicycle Accidents?

Because of the vulnerability of bicyclists relative to their enclosed vehicle counterparts, injuries suffered in bicycle accidents can be traumatic and even sometimes result in permanent disability. Some of the most common injuries our lawyer for bicycle accident team has helped Glen Carbon, IL residents receive compensation for include:

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

Because of the high cost of dealing with a bicycle accident injury, you need knowledgeable and dedicated bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to make sure you are compensated for every way in which the injury has affected your life. In the tragic case of the wrongful death of a loved one in the Glen Carbon, IL area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of peace and secure your future.

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Who is Liable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Glen Carbon, IL?

Who owes you a recovery depends on the causes of your accident. Liability is determined based on whose negligence contributed to the crash. In some cases there are multiple liable parties, and a dedicated bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your claim and make each of them compensate you based on how much of the accident was their fault. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:

A Motorist

Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are often responsible for bicycle accidents by either not paying attention or driving hostilely toward them. But bicyclists are allowed to enjoy the road the same as the driver of any passenger car, and if a car, truck or motorcycle driver injures a bicyclists the laws for liability in car accidents is no different than any other crash. For example, 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. Pursuant to the legal philosophy of negligence per se, someone is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a state statute. So if injured because someone hit you with their car door without looking, your lawyer for bicycle accident will only have to prove that the accident caused your injuries, and the insurance company will be more accommodating in negotiations.

A Defective Bike or Car or Truck Component

If your result was the result of a defective product, such as tires, 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 whenever a component is found to be unsafe. If they are negligent in that duty, you can seek compensation from them.

A Trucking or Other Commercial Company

If you are injured by a commercial driver, the employer may be partially liable. For example, if a trucking company failed to carry out drug tests, they would be considered negligent.

A Government Agency

Municipal agencies both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our Glen Carbon, IL roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as a pothole played a part in your injuries, your Glen Carbon, IL bicycle accident lawyer can investigate if a government agency was liable. A claim against the government is different in many ways than filing a claim with an individual or company's insurance company, so it is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible in order to make your claim.

In Missouri, you can make a claim against the government if a driver of public transportation injures you. Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, public workers who injure somebody while operating a motor vehicle are not given sovereign immunity like most other government workers are in personal injury cases. Regrettably, in Illinois, 745 ILCS 10/ does not permit anyone to sue a public employee in a tort case unless there was "willful and wanton" misconduct.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Glen Carbon, IL Bicycle Accident Injuries?

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

• The scope of your injuries — More serious injuries lead to higher medical bills, which you will be compensated for. Months of physical therapy will lead to more money than a a visit or two with your primary care physician. Did your injuries include a joint replacement? That will have to be replaced in 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Glen Carbon, IL bicycle accident lawyer will make sure you are not the one that has to pay for it when that time comes.
• The physical, mental and emotional impact of your injuries — 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 accomplished and skilled Glen Carbon, IL bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will fight to make sure the physical and emotional pain you felt is compensated to.
• How much time you miss from work — You will also receive compensation for the money you were not able to earn. If you couldn't earn a living because you were on bed rest for six weeks, 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 back injury in a bicycle accident in Glen Carbon, IL and now are not able to safely lift over 35 pounds, you need to know your future is secure after you've reached maximum medical improvement. Your compensation will need to be high enough to make sure your future is secure.
• 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 commercial enterprises usually have much more. An experienced lawyer for bicycle accidents will assist you with 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 share any of the blame for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois practice the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, meaning that you can still receive compensation if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. Meaning, if it is determined that your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering come to $100,000 but you were 30 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced by $30,000. Missouri is called a a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can file a claim even if you were 99 percent to blame. Illinois is a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be barred from recovery if more than half the accident is your fault.

At Halvorsen Klote, our Glen Carbon, IL bicycle accident lawyers will know exactly how much you are owed. We know that large corporations and insurance companies treat people unfairly. Our practice is founded on the idea that an ordinary person who has been hurt by another's negligence should have access to the same expert legal representation as wealthy organizations.

See some of the other cases we take on in Glen Carbon, IL:

• 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
• Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
• Auto Crash Attorney

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Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Glen Carbon, IL | Halvorsen Klote

You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you do not have to go through this alone. Our Glen Carbon, IL lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their lives to fighting for people who have been treated unfairly, and ensuring that they get the full compensation they are owed. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Glen Carbon, IL today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

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