Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in O'Fallon, MO

O'Fallon, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

---

Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | O'Fallon, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in O'Fallon, MO. Riding a bicycle is great for the mind and body. But too often, 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 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 provide expert and sound legal advocacy to clients in O'Fallon, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, and you do not owe us anything unless we secure you the recovery you are owed. Speak directly to a qualified and compassionate bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by getting in touch with us online.

---

Contact Our Firm Today

---

O'Fallon, MO Bicycle Accident Statistics

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto accidents nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest total since 1987. According to reporting from the National Safety Council, in 2020 there were 325,173 nonfatal injuries in bicycle accidents. Kids ages five to 14 are at the highest risk for injuries, 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 the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle accidents, which lead to 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries

In both states, the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more congested. Almost a third of bike crashes happen at night, when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips, annually they account for over twice that in traffice-related deaths. The discrepancy speaks to the ruinous damage people can do when they don't pay attention on the road, and how important safety measures like helmets and lighting are.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in O'Fallon, 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 respect a bike lane
• Drivers passing in an unsafe manner
• Opening a door after parking on the side of the road seeing if a biker is coming
• Reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Road signs that impede a motorists vision
• Road hazards
• Improperly cordoned-of 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 accidents on the side of the road cause more significant injuries because the speeds are higher than at intersections because of stop signs, traffic lights or turning vehicles. Your O'Fallon, 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 O'Fallon, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Because of the vulnerability of bicyclists relative to their cars or trucks, injuries suffered in bicycle accidents can be disastrous and even sometimes result in lifelong disability. We've helped secure great compensation for people with:

• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Fractures
• Internal injuries
• Nerve damage
• Joint injuries such as strains

Because of the high cost of dealing with a bicycle accident injury, you need experienced and passionate 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 family member in the O'Fallon, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of justice and secure your future.

---

---

Who is At Fault for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in O'Fallon, MO?

Who owes you a recovery depends on the the different aspects that surrounds your accident. Different accidents may have different, or multiple, liable parties. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is liable, and a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident and hold each party responsible for the percentage of blame they share. 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 laws for liability in car accidents is no different than any other crash. For example, if someone injures you because they were driving under the influence, they would be responsible for your injuries in a civil claim.

Both Illinois and Missouri have rules of the road for how motorists are supposed to interact with bicyclists, such as allowing them space in the street when bike lanes are not present. Under the legal philosophy of negligence per se, someone is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a state statute. So if you wee injured because a driver passed too closely, 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 Component

If your accident was the result of a defective product, such as carbon fork failure, an engineer, manufacturer and/or vendor may be liable in a product liability claim. Both bicycle and motor vehicle manufacturers are required to design and manufacture safe products and issue recalls if a safety hazard comes to light. If they are negligent in that duty, 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 failed to carry out drug tests, they would be responsible for a percentage of your financial recovery.

A Government Entity

Governmental entities at the state, local and federal levels are responsible for safely designing and maintaining our O'Fallon, MO roadways. If a hazard such as cracked pavement contributed to your accident, your O'Fallon, MO bicycle accident lawyer may be able to find out that a government agency did not follow their own regulations 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 it is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible in order to make your claim.

In Missouri, you are also able to make a claim against a public bus driver. According to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, public workers who injure somebody while driving within the scope of their employment are not able to receive sovereign immunity like other public employees 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 Recover for My O'Fallon, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?

There are a variety of factors that determine what, and how much, compensation you will receive for your bicycle accident injuries:

• The scope of your injuries — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in 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 doctor. Was the accident severe enough to require a knee replacement? Those typically last 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote O'Fallon, 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 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 effects on your personal life, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Is it harder to play with your kids than it used to be? A seasoned and talented O'Fallon, MO 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 work because your injuries were too severe to allow you to work for a period, you need to be compensated for that.
• If your injuries result in lost earning potential — If you were a warehouse worker who suffered a neck injury in a bicycle accident in O'Fallon, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift over 50 pounds, your ability to earn a living has been significantly compromised. Your compensation will need to substantial enough to make sure your future is comfortable.
• The amount of insurance coverage available — Different insurance plans have different amounts of coverage. Illinois and Missouri both require $25,000 per person for bodily injury in car accident policies, while commercial enterprises may have up to $5 million in coverage. A knowledgeable lawyer for bicycle accidents will assist you with 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 fault states, meaning that you can still get a recovery if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but it will be proportionately less based on how how much of your fault it was. So if your damages total $100,000 but you are responsible for 30 percent of the accident, your compensation would be reduced by $30,000. Missouri is a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can make a recovery even if you were 99 percent to blame. Illinois is called a a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be barred from recovery if you are more than 50 percent responsible.

At Halvorsen Klote, our O'Fallon, 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 often resist taking accountability. We became personal injury attorneys because we believe that everyone has has a right to the same expert legal representation as wealthy organizations.

Check out some of the other cases we take on in O'Fallon, MO:

• 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
• Truck Crash Lawyers

---

---

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in O'Fallon, MO | Halvorsen Klote

You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you do not have to go through this alone. Our O'Fallon, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their careers to fighting for people who have been wronged, and ensuring that they recover all the money they are entitled to. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in O'Fallon, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

---