Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Rolla, MO

Rolla, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Rolla, MO. Riding a bicycle is a wonderful way to exercise and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. 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 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 serve the injured and vulnerable in Rolla, 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 until you are fairly compensated. Speak directly to a knowledgeable and friendly 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 Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO to secure the ideal result. A personal injury lawyer in Rolla, MO can offer help in a range 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 every single 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 eligible for
• Finding extra 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 defeating. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do anything they can to avoid accepting that responsibility.

Insurance companies often depend on claimants knowing limited about laws pertaining to injuries and accidents to offer as few money as feasible. We'll guarantee they understand their lawful duty to reimburse you for every single one of your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are inexperienced with injury claims can make mistakes or neglect important steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a advantage, not a weakness.

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

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 interrogate witnesses, review medical records, and connect your injuries to your accident, as well as interview witnesses who can support your story. The more complicated your case, the more proof is needed. Experienced bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to find the evidence needed to get a full financial recovery.

Representing You in Court if Filing a Lawsuit is Necessary

Most bicycle accident cases settle out of court. However, if responsibility isn't clear, your damages are high, or other complications arise, the insurance company is going to fight against your rights. That's why you need seasoned accident attorneys in your corner to bring a legal action and bring them to trial if necessary.

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

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

In 2020, there were 983 bike accident deaths in traffic wrecks in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest total since 1987. According to data from the National Safety Council, that same year there were 325,173 bicyclists injured in nonfatal accidents. Most nonfatal injuries occurred in children between five and 14 years old, while adults aged 55 to 64 are at the highest risk for deaths.

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

Across the U.S., the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more condensed. Thirty-one percent of bike crashes occur at night, when bikers are harder to see.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips, each year they account for more than twice that in traffic accident deaths. The discrepancy points to the horrible damage motorists 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 Rolla, MO?

Most bike accidents are caused either because of biker error or because a motorist simply did not see a bicyclist. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents we see are:

• Drivers neglecting to to pay attention
• Drivers neglecting to to yield the right of way
• Drivers neglecting to to obey bike lane laws
• Drivers passing dangerously
• Opening a door without checking for bicyclists
• Reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Road signs that impede a motorists vision
• Road hazards
• Improperly 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 accidents on the side of the road are more severe because the speeds are higher than at intersections because of stop signs, traffic lights or turning vehicles. Your Rolla, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will perform a thorough investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is responsible for your injuries.

What Are Common Injuries from Rolla, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Bicyclists are at a higher risk for severe injuries than anyone else on the road. We've helped secure great financial recoveries for people with:

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

Because of the high cost of dealing with a bicycle accident injury, you need talented and tenacious 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 Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO?

Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that caused your case. Each injury is different, and as such the liable party varies. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is responsible, and a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident and make each of them reimburse you based on how much of the accident was their fault. Some of the parties we have successfully secured compensation from in bicycle accidents include:

A Motorist

Car, truck and motorcycle drivers can often cause bicycle accidents by either not paying attention or driving hostilely toward them. But the road is for everyone, and if you are injured by a motorist the laws for liability in car accidents is no different than any other crash. For example, if someone hits you because they were distracted by using their phone, 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 treat and look out for bicyclists, such as yielding to bicyclist when turning. Pursuant to the legal theory of negligence per se, someone violates a state statute and injures someone else is liable as a matter of law. So if a driver breaks the law and injures you, your lawyer for bicycle accident will be able to file a negligence per se claim, and the insurance company will likely be more motivated to offer a fair recovery.

A Defective Bike or Car Component

If your accident was because of 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 hazard arises. If they don't, they are liable for your damages.

A Trucking or Other Commercial Company

If you are injured by a truck driver, rideshare driver or other commercial driver, the employer may be partially liable. For example, if a trucking company failed to report drug tests, they would be responsible for a percentage of your compensation.

A Government Agency

Municipal agencies at the state, local and federal levels are responsible for safely designing and maintaining our Rolla, MO roadways. If a hazard such as inadequate lighting contributed to your injuries, your Rolla, MO bicycle accident lawyer may be able to find out that a government agency did not follow their own rules for maintaining safe roads. A claim against the government is different in many ways than a standard personal injury claim, so an attorney is crucial for the best results in your claim.

In Missouri, you are also able to make a claim against a public bus driver. Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, government workers who injure somebody while driving within the scope of their employment are not granted 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 there was "willful and wanton" misconduct.

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

There are numerous factors that dictate 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 bills, and you should be reimbursed for all of those expenses. Surgeries will lead to much higher compensation than a quick trip to the emergency room. Did your bicycle accident lead to a joint replacement? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Rolla, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure you are not the one that has to pay for it when a new one is necessary.
• How your injuries have affected your physical and emotional health — Personal injury settlements and verdicts are also intended to compensate you for the less tangible ways your injuries have hurt you, 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? A seasoned and knowledgeable Rolla, 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 be reimbursed for the money you were not able to earn. If you couldn't work because a physician told you to stay home and rest, you will be reimbursed for that.
• If your injuries result in lost earning capacity — If you were a warehouse worker who suffered a permanent injury in a bicycle accident in Rolla, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift more than a certain amount, your ability to earn a living has been significantly 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 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 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 considered a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can receive compensation even if you are responsible for the vast majority of the accident. Illinois is considered a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be unable to make a claim if you are more than 50 percent liable.

At Halvorsen Klote, our Rolla, MO bicycle accident lawyers know how to precisely value claims and get you all of the compensation you deserve. We know that influential corporations and insurance companies often try their best to devalue your claim. We do what we do every day because we believe that an ordinary person who has been injured by another's negligence has a right to the same knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation as wealthy organizations.

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

Getting in a bicycle accident can be scary 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 Get Medical Treatment

If you can, 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 don't allow 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 as soon as possible. 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 how the other drive caused your injuries. Police are trained to allocate fault in an accident. When talking to police, don't confess fault or over-embellish what happened. Be honest, but stick to the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't offer any information they don't directly 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 scene, 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 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 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 advisable 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 Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO | Halvorsen Klote

You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you should not have to pay because someone else did not respect your safety. Our Rolla, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their careers to fighting for people who have been wronged, and ensuring that they get all the money they are entitled to. You do not pay unless we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Rolla, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case review.

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