Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in New Florence, MO

New Florence, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in New Florence, MO. Riding a bicycle is great for our physical and mental well-being. But on too many occasions, bicyclists don't receive the same respect that motorists do and end up injured because of someone else's negligence. If you sustained an injury in a bike accident because someone else did not respect your safety, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote is here to help see you through your time of need. We serve clients in New Florence, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Our consultations and initial investigations are free, and you do not owe us anything unless we win your claim. Speak directly to an experienced and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by reaching out to us online.

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Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in New Florence, 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 New Florence, MO to ensure the optimal result. A personal injury lawyer in New Florence, MO can offer help in a range 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 maximize 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 supplementary 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 discompassionate claims adjuster can feel defeating. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do everything they can to avoid taking on that responsibility.

Insurance companies often rely on claimants knowing very little about injury and accident law to pay as minimal money as feasible. We'll make sure they understand their legal duty to reimburse you for all your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including collecting evidence, interviewing people who saw the accident, examining medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are novice with injury claims can make errors or miss important steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a asset, not a vulnerability.

You did nothing wrong to deserve your injuries and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle obtaining your compensation while you focus on getting better.

Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case

Some cases are more challenging to prove than others. For your bicycle accident case, you'll need an attorney to question witnesses, examine medical records, and connect your injuries to your accident, as well as interview witnesses who can validate your story. The more complicated your case, the more proof is needed. Knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to discover the evidence needed to get maximum compensation.

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 injury attorneys in your corner to initiate legal proceedings and pursue litigation if necessary.

As experienced New Florence, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can fight for you throughout your case, from initial case review through a jury verdict.

New Florence, MO Bicycle Accident Statistics

In 2020, there were 983 bike accident fatalities in traffic crashes across the country, 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 the most likely to sustain an injury, 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 died, according to statistics in the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle accidents, which caused 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries

In both states, the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more condensed. Over three-tenths of bike crashes transpire at night, when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips, each year they account for more than two percent of motor vehicle deaths. The deviation points to the horrible damage people can do when they don't look out for bikers, and how important safety measures like helmets and staying in bikes lanes are.

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

Most bike accidents are caused either because of the biker making a mistake or because a motorist merely did not see a bicyclist. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically results in bike accidents:

• Drivers failing to pay attention
• Drivers neglecting to to yield the right of way
• Drivers neglecting to to obey bike lane laws
• Drivers passing too fast
• Opening a door after parking on the side of the street checking for bicyclists
• Reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Poorly placed road signs
• Road hazards
• Insufficiently zoned-off 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 do more damage because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your New Florence, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will perform an exhaustive investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is at fault for your injuries.

What Are Common Injuries from New Florence, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries than anyone else on the road. Some of the most common injuries our lawyer for bicycle accident team has helped New Florence, 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 ligament tears

Because bicycle injuries often require extensive medical treatment and a lot of time off work, you need experienced 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 loved one in the New Florence, MO 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 At Fault for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in New Florence, MO?

Who owes you a recovery 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 knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident and assign an appropriate amount of fault to each of them. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:

The Driver of a Passenger Vehicle

Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are often responsible for bicycle accidents by think they own the road and bicyclists do not. But the road is for everyone, and in the event of an accident the same liability in car accidents applies. For instance, if someone hits you because they were texting and driving, they would owe you damages.

Both Illinois and Missouri have strict regulations for how drivers are supposed to treat and look out for bicyclists, such as yielding to bicyclist when turning. Pursuant to the legal theory 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 only has to provide proof of your damages, and you may be able to get a fair settlement quickly.

A Defective Bike or Motor Vehicle Parts

If your accident was caused by a defective product, such as brakes, you can seek a product liability claim. Both bicycle and motor vehicle manufacturers are required to design and manufacture safe products and issue recalls if a safety issue arises. 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, your bike accident attorney may be able to prove negligence on the part of the employer. For example, if a trucking company hired an unqualified driver, they would be considered negligent.

A Government Entity

Municipal agencies at the state, local and federal levels need to keep our New Florence, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as inadequate lighting contributed to your accident, your New Florence, MO 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 an attorney is vital to get maximum compensation.

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 cause an accident while driving within the scope of their employment are not given sovereign immunity like most other government workers are in personal injury cases. Unfortunately, in Illinois, 745 ILCS 10/ does not permit anyone to sue a public employee in a tort case unless the harm was deliberate or the employee showed an "utter indifference" to your safety.

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

There are numerous factors that dictate what, and how much, compensation you will receive for your bicycle accident injuries:

• How serious your injuries are — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in medical bills, and you should receive all of those expenses. Surgeries will lead to more money than a quick trip to the emergency room. Did your injuries include a joint replacement? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote New Florence, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure a new one paid for too.
• The physical, mental and emotional impact of your injuries — Your financial recovery is meant to compensate you for the effects on your personal life, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Is it a grind just to bring the groceries in? A seasoned and talented New Florence, 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 PTO. If you couldn't work because you were on bed rest for six weeks, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
• If your injuries result in lost earning capacity — If you were a construction worker who sustained a neck injury in a bicycle accident in New Florence, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift over 35 pounds, your ability to earn a living has been seriously compromised. Your compensation will need to include enough money to make sure your future is comfortable.
• The amount of insurance coverage available — Different insurance plans have different policy limits. A standard car insurance policy may have a $50,000 limit on bodily injury, while commercial enterprises may have up to $5 million in coverage. A talented 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 were partially responsible for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois are comparative fault states, meaning that you can still get a recovery if you were partially liable, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. 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 responsible for the vast majority of the accident. Illinois is a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be barred from recovery if you are more than 50 percent responsible.

At Halvorsen Klote, our New Florence, MO bicycle accident lawyers know how to precisely value claims and get you all of the compensation you deserve. 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 lean on the same expert legal representation as wealthy organizations.

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

Getting in a bicycle accident can be scary and confusing, 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 Treatment

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 exacerbate your injuries. If your injuries are too severe for you to move safely, wait for emergency medical personnel to get to the scene.

If you don't need to go to the hospital in an ambulance, go to the emergency room or urgent care after law enforcement tell you you can leave the scene. If you didn't go immediately, make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as you can. If you don't have a doctor's record of your injuries, you won't be able to get 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 proving the other party's liability. Police are trained to determine 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 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 site, 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 afterwards.

Don't Settle Too Quickly

The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be a lowball offer. They want you to settle before you discover 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. Most injury attorneys offer free consultations, so it's always recommended to at least speak to 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 New Florence, 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 New Florence, MO | Halvorsen Klote

You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you do not have to go through this alone. Our New Florence, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has devoted their practice to standing up for people who have been hurt and taken advantage of, and ensuring that they get the full compensation they deserve. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in New Florence, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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