Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | St. Louis, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Louis, MO. Riding a bicycle can be a cheap and eco-friendly way to get around town, or a great way to explore the outdoors. But too frequently, other motorists don't respect the safety of bicyclists and end up causing an accident. If you sustained an injury in a bike accident through no fault of your own, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote will fight for your rights and secure you the financial recovery you deserve. We serve clients in St. Louis, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, 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 getting in touch with us online.

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Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in St. Louis, MO?

While some simple cases for relatively minor injuries can be handled without the help of an attorney, most require an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO to secure the best possible outcome. A personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO can give support in a variety 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 optimize 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 complete scope of your damages and all the compensation you are legally owed
• Finding supplementary insurance coverage if your damages surpass 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 claims adjuster can feel disheartening. 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 depend on claimants knowing limited about injury and accident law to pay as few money as feasible. We'll ensure they understand their lawful duty to pay you for all your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including acquiring evidence, deposing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are unfamiliar with injury claims can make errors or miss important details. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a strength, not a disadvantage.

You didn't ask to be injured and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle securing 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, analyze medical records, and connect your injuries to your accident, as well as depose witnesses who can corroborate 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 find 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 accident attorneys in your corner to file a lawsuit and bring them to trial if necessary.

As experienced St. Louis, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can be by your side for the duration of your case, from initial case evaluation through a jury or bench trial.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the St. Louis, MO Area?

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle wrecks nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most since 1987. According to reporting 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 adults aged 55 to 64 are the most likely to be victim to a fatal accident.

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, there were 2,180 bicycle collisions, which caused 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries

Across the U.S., highly populated areas with more vehicle traffic see most bike crashes. Almost a third of bike crashes transpire at night, when bikers are harder to see.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips taken by American travelers and commuters, each year they account for over two percent of traffic accident fatalities. The disparity points 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 St. Louis, MO?

Each accident is unique, but most bike crashes are caused by motorist negligence or unsafe road conditions. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents we see are:

• Drivers neglecting to to see a bicyclist
• Drivers neglecting to to yield the right of way
• Drivers neglecting to to respect a bike lane
• Drivers passing dangerously
• Opening a door without 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 forcing a bicyclist to swerve
• 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 relayed that accidents between intersections are more severe because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO Bicycle Accidents?

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

• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Fractures
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Joint injuries such as sprains

Because of the gravity of the bicycle accident injuries, you need skilled 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 family member in the St. Louis, MO area, we will get you compensation to make sure your future is financially secure and to ease the pain, even if just a little.

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Who is At Fault for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in St. Louis, MO?

Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that caused your case. Each injury is unique, and as such the liable party varies. In some cases there are multiple liable parties, and a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident and hold each party responsible for the percentage of blame they share. Some of the parties we have successfully secured compensation from 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 either not paying attention or driving hostilely toward them. But the road is for everyone, and if a car, truck or motorcycle driver injures a bicyclists the same liability in car accidents applies. For example, if someone causes an accident because they were texting and driving, they would owe you damages.

Both Illinois and Missouri have strict regulations for how motorists are supposed to interact with bicyclists, such as not driving or parking in a bike lane. Following the legal philosophy of negligence per se, someone is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a law. 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 Car Component

If your result 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 whenever a component is found to be unsafe. If they fail to, you can make a claim against them.

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 carry out drug tests, they would be responsible for a portion of your compensation.

A Government Entity

Municipal entities both locally and in the state or federal government are responsible for safely designing and maintaining our St. Louis, MO roadways. If a hazard such as cracked pavement caused your accident, you may be able to make a claim against a government entity with the help of your St. Louis, MO bicycle accident lawyer. 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, a public transport operator may also be liable. Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, government employees who cause an accident while operating a motor vehicle are not given sovereign immunity like most other government workers are in personal injury cases. Unfortunately, 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 Collect for My St. Louis, 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 — More debilitating injuries lead to higher medical bills, which you will be compensated for. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs will lead to much higher compensation than a quick trip to the emergency room. Did your injuries include a knee replacement? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote St. Louis, 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 painful just to get up and down the stairs? An experienced and knowledgeable St. Louis, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will fight to make sure the physical and emotional pain you felt is compensated to.
• Your lost wages from time spent recovering — You will also receive compensation for the money you were not able to earn. If you couldn't work because you were on bed rest for six weeks, you need to be reimbursed for that.
• If your injuries prevent you from working the same job — If you were a construction worker who suffered an injury to a disc in your back in a bicycle accident in St. Louis, MO and now are not able to safely lift over 25 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.
• Policy limits — Different insurance plans have different policy limits. Illinois and Missouri both require $50,000 per accident for bodily injury in car accident policies, while commercial enterprises usually have much more. A talented lawyer for bicycle accidents will assist you with an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the negligent party's insurance doesn't cover all of your damages.
• Whether you are partially at fault for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois practice the legal philosophy of comparative negligence, meaning that you can still be reimbursed for your damages if you were partially liable, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. So 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, you would receive $70,000. Missouri is considered a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can make a recovery even if you were 99 percent to blame. Illinois is considered 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 St. Louis, MO bicycle accident lawyers will know exactly how much you are owed. We know that influential corporations and insurance companies often try their best to devalue your claim. We became personal injury attorneys because we believe that everyone has should be able to depend on the same expert legal representation as wealthy organizations.

What to Do if You're Injured in a Bicycle Accident in St. Louis, MO

Getting in a bicycle accident can be frightening and it can be hard to know exactly what to do, but there are several things you should do to help you recover physically and maximize your compensation.

Stay Calm, Get to Safety and Get Medical Attention

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 intensify 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, visit the emergency room or urgent care after authorities tell you you are free to leave the scene. If you didn't go immediately, schedule a visit to your primary care physician as soon as you can. If you don't have records from a physician of your injuries, you won't be able to receive 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 demonstrating the other party's liability. Police are trained to assign fault in an accident. When speaking to police, don't acknowledge fault or over-explain what happened. Be honest, but don't say anything beyond 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 location, 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 later.

Don't Settle Too Quickly

The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be an inadequate offer. They want you to settle before you realize the full extent of your injuries or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost hardly ever true. Many injury attorneys offer free consultations, so it's always advisable to at least speak to a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.

Check out some of the other cases we take on in St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO | Halvorsen Klote

We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own is shocking, infuriating and leads to a a ton of anxiety about how you are going to pay the bills that are piling up and when or if you'll be able to get back to normal. Our St. Louis, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their careers to fighting for people who have been hurt and taken advantage of, and ensuring that they receive the full compensation they are entitled to. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

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